Reversible Antifertility Effect of Cassia tora Linn in Male Rats

Abstract

Background: Plant Cassia tora has been used in traditional and modern medicines for different pharmacological activities. Objectives: The present investigation has been taken to observe and evaluate effects of Cassia tora on the reproduction functions of male rats in search a safe, orally effective and reversible fertility regulating agent. Materials and Methods: Fifty percent ethanolic extract of Cassia tora was prepared and administered orally in male Wistar rats at the doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg.b.wt./rat/day dose levels respectively for a period of 60 days and some of the treated rats were kept 30 days for recovery of fertility to assessed reversibility effects. Hematological indices, serum clinical investigations were also performed to assess toxic effects if any caused in rats by treatment. Proteins, cholesterol, glycogen, ascorbic acid, sialic acid and fructose level were analyzed in rats. Serum FSH, LH and Testosterone levels were measure. Rats were castrated to evaluate effects on reproductive functions of hormones and mode of action of the Cassia tora treatment. For histopathological observations tissues were fixed in Bouin’s fluid, dehydrated, sectioned and stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin. Results: Treatment of Cassia tora significantly reduced the weights of testes and accessory sex organs. Sperm density and motility were declined high significantly. Levels of Testosterone and FSH hormone were significantly decreased in rats. The protein, sialic acid, fructose, ascorbic acid and glycogen contents of reproductive accessory sex organs were decreased significantly. Germinal epithelium of testes degenerated and number of spermatocytes, spermatids and spermatozoa in lumen of seminiferous tubules reduced. Conclusions: The decreased testes and accessory sex organs weights, sperm motility, density and testosterone level in rats might be due to androgen suppression effects of Cassia tora treatment cause inhibition of spermatogenesis resulted reduction of fertility in treated male rats. Key-wordsCassia tora, Contraception, Fertility, Sperm motility, Sperm density, Male rat INTRODUCTION The population explosion creates immense pressure on our natural and non-renewable resources leading to social economic imbalances and political tension [1-2] . Fertility regulation has therefore, become a major global concern [3-5] . Although, there are several types of contraceptive methods are available for fertility control in male and females, but all of these were find one or more side effects. Survey of literature enumerate that the use of plants products as antifertility agent cause minimal or no side effects as compared to currently available conventional contraceptive methods especially oral. Literature reveals that the plants and their products were used for fertility regulation since hazards of uncontrolled population were visualized [6-9] . Access this article online Quick Response Code Website: