Development of an ideal contraceptive for man has been the goal of several research programs during the past few decades. The advent of an effective and reversible male contraceptive method should provide a valuable alternative to the limited options of the condom, vasectomy and withdrawal that are currently available to men. The search for an effective, safe and reversible male antifertility agent with minimum side effects remains a challenge. Therefore, the present study was carried out to evaluate contraceptive efficacy of Dendrophthoe falcata since its use in folk remedies is as a antifertility agent (1). Phytochemical studies have identified several flavonoids such as Quercetin, Kaempferol, Quercitrin, Rutin, Quercetagetin, Meratin and Hyperoside (2). Quercitrin (Quercetin3Orhamnoside) was reported to be the major constituent of D. falcata. In the present study isolated fractions of chloroform:methanol solvent in different ratio of D. falcata (Ettingsh) stem methanol extract was administered at the dose level of 50mg/rat/day to evaluate the male contraceptive potential. After 60 days of treatment suppression of sperm density as well as motility in the cauda epididymis was the most pronounced effect. The protein and sialic acid content of testis and cauda epididymis was reduced significantly; however, testicular cholesterol was increased. Histological observations of testis showed altered spermatogenesis while pyknotic nuclei were seen in few of epithelial cells of epididymis. All haematological parameters remained unchanged, which suggests the nontoxic nature of the drug. Thus, the study corroborates the safe and effective male contraceptive nature of D. falcata, which affects the testicular cells and resulted in the oligospermic state in albino rats.
Figure 1: Quercitrin
Acknowledgement: Author Dr. Jai Bahadur Singh Kachhawa, acknowledges the financial assistance from UGC, New Delhi for Dr. D.S. Kothari Postdoc Research Fellowship.
References: [1] Jain SK, Defillips RA, (1991) Medicinal plants of India. Vol-1. Reference Publication. Inc Michigan, 392. [2] Nair AGR, Krishnakumary P. (1990) Ind J Chem, 29B: 584–585.
