title: A comprehensive evaluation of the reproductive toxicity of Quassia amara in male rats.
abstract: Chloroform extracts of the bark of Quassia amara in different dilutions was used to assess its impact on the male reproductive system of albino rats. Single daily intramuscular injections of the extract for 15 days resulted in a significant reduction in the weight of testis and epididymis but not that of the seminal vesicles and prostate (all lobes). A marked decrease in the sperm count, motility, viability was also observed in sperm collected from the cauda epididymis of treated animals. A number of abnormalities like double heads, double tails, detached heads and fragile tails were frequently seen. Epididymal alpha-glucosidase activity was drastically reduced. However, prostatic acid phosphatase activity and citric acid levels and seminal vesicle fructose concentrations remained unchanged following treatment. Thus, it appears that the prime site of action is at the level of both the testis and the epididymis. Examination of the blood showed that cell counts and hemoglobin levels were in the normal range. Bilirubin, SGPT, SGOT, protein and urea were also not altered by the herbal extract. From the selective action on the male reproductive tract we suggest that the chloroform extract of the bark of Quassia amara has potential for use as an antifertility agent.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Reproductive Biology Laboratory, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee 247667, Uttaranchal, India.
authors.forename: Seema
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Parveen
authors.forename: Suwagmani
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Das
authors.forename: Chandra Prakash
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Kundra
authors.forename: B M J
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Pereira
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000988:Antispermatogenic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D019963:Clinical Chemistry Tests; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004822:Epididymis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D005298:Fertility / Q000187:drug effects*; D006403:Hematologic Tests; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D024301:Plant Bark / Q000737:chemistry*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*; D032271:Quassia / Q000737:chemistry; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D013737:Testis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D000988:Antispermatogenic Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts