In vitro determination of the contraceptive spermicidal activity of a composite extract of Achyranthes aspera and Stephania hernandifolia on human semen.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of a 50% ethanolic extract of the leaf of Stephania hernandifolia and the root of Achyranthes aspera on sperm motility and function in a ratio of 1:3 by weight at different concentrations.


RESULTS
Concentration of 0.08 g/mL of the extract affected the motility, and at a concentration of 0.16 g/mL, the sperm motility was reduced to 20% immediately (within 20 s). At a concentration of 0.32 g/mL, this composite extract showed the most promising results by complete sperm immobilization within 2 min after the application of the extract. The effects were spermicidal but not spermiostatic as sperm immobilization effect was found to be irreversible. Sperm viability was decreased significantly and was found to be nonviable after 30 min when treated with the composite extract at a concentration of 0.32 g/mL. The hypo-osmotic swelling of these sperm was reduced significantly at this highest concentration, indicating that the crude extract may probably cause injury to the sperm plasma membrane. A low concentration of 0.04 g/mL is ineffective.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings indicate that this composite plant extract possesses potential contraceptive spermicidal activity in vitro.
Reproductive Endocrinology and Family Welfare Research Unit, Department of Human Physiology with Community Health, Vidyasagar University, Midnapore, West Bengal 721 102, India.
Daniel
D
Paul
Saradindu
S
Bera
Debasis
D
Jana
Rajkumar
R
Maiti
Debidas
D
Ghosh
D029044:Achyranthes; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D003272:Contraceptive Agents, Male; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018517:Plant Roots; D012661:Semen / Q000187:drug effects*; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects*; D013089:Spermatocidal Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D031607:Stephania
D003272:Contraceptive Agents, Male; D010936:Plant Extracts; D013089:Spermatocidal Agents