Male Contraceptive Activity of Phytochemical Constituents of Cressa cretica (Convolvulaceae)

Recent times have seen a revolution in the use, understanding and research on natural products and botanicals. Many call this a 'green revolution'. Medicinal and aromatic plants constitute a major segment of the flora, which provides raw materials for use in the pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and drug industries. Indigenous systems of medicines, developed in India for centuries, make use of many medicinal herbs.

Cressa cretica (Convolvulaceae) an erect, small dwarf shrub up to 38cm in height is found throughout India along sandy shores. Plant has antihelmintic, stomachic, tonic, aphrodisiac purposes, enriches the blood and is useful in constipation, leprosy, asthma and urinary discharges [1]. Cressa cretica is reported to be an antibilious, antitubercular and expectorant [2,3]. Cressa cretica was collected in the month of January from Chhaparwara dam, Dudu, near Jaipur, Rajasthan and evaluated for male contraceptive activity due to their rich amount of flavonoids i.e. Rutin (A) and Scopoletin (B) [4,5]. After 60 days oral administration of Cressa constituents, results showed 100% antifertility activity in male rats with the reduction in testosterone levels and spermatogenic elements.

Fig.A

Fig.B

References: [1] Chopra RN, Nayar SL, et al. (1956) Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants, CSIR, New Delhi, 222. [2] Satakopan S, Karandikar GK (1961) Journal of Scientific Indian Research Section C 20: 156–160. [3] Rizk AM, El-Ghazaly GA (1995) Scientific and Applied Research, 101. [4] Shahat AA, Abdel-Azim AA, et al. (2004) Pharmaceutical Biology 42: 349–352. [5] Tiwari HP, Kakkar A (1990) Journal of Indian Chemical Society 67: 785.