Antifertility effects of Ricinus communis (Linn) on rats.
The antifertility effects of 50% ethanol extracts of Ricinus communis have been studied in male rats. There was a drastic reduction in the epididymal sperm counts. Alteration in the motility, mode of movement and morphology of the sperms were observed. Reductions in the fructose and testosterone levels were suggestive of reduced reproductive performance. Reversibility tests showed that the antifertility effect of Ricinus communis was completely reversible on withdrawal of the drug. The ethanol extracts of Ricinus communis did not cause any hepatotoxicity since the hepatic GOT and GPT levels were unaltered.
Department of Biochemistry, University of Kerala, Kariavattom, Trivandrum-695581, India.
K
K
Sandhyakumary
R G
RG
Bobby
M
M
Indira
D000135:Acid Phosphatase / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000737:chemistry; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012278:Ricinus; D013076:Sperm Count; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects; D013089:Spermatocidal Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood; D013974:Thyroxine / Q000097:blood; D014284:Triiodothyronine / Q000097:blood
D010936:Plant Extracts; D013089:Spermatocidal Agents; D014284:Triiodothyronine; D013739:Testosterone; D004958:Estradiol; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase; D000135:Acid Phosphatase; D013974:Thyroxine