Immobilization effect of Ruta graveolens L. on human sperm: a new hope for male contraception.
OBJECTIVE
Contraceptive plants which were introduced by folk in traditional remedies are investigated worldwide. In this study, the contraceptive effects of Ruta graveolens L., which has been mentioned for male contraceptive in Iranian traditional folk medicine, was experimented on human sperm.


METHODS
Different doses of lyophilized aqueous extract of Ruta graveolens L. were added to an amount of fresh semen, containing 10(6) cells in a 1:1 volumic ratio. Motility and viability of cells, DNA status, mitochondrial activity and sperm revival tests were carried out.


RESULTS
The sperm immobilization effects of the extract appeared immediately in a does-dependent manner and 100% of the sperms became immotile at a concentration of 100mg/ml but other parameters were intact. After washing the sperms, motility was returned in 30.8+/-3.2% of the sperms, besides coiled tails in 38.6+/-5.5% of the treated cells, in comparison to 12.5+/-2.0% of the control group (p=0.001). The part of the extract, responsible for immobilization of the sperms was stable upon boiling.


CONCLUSIONS
As the cells were alive and immotile, probably some ionic currents are blocked by a thermostable component of the plant which can be promising as a new male channel blocker contraceptive.
Harat
Zhila Naghibi
ZN
Department of Physiology, School of of Medicine, Medical Sciences/University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
Sadeghi
Mohammad Reza
MR
Sadeghipour
Hamid Reza
HR
Kamalinejad
Mohammad
M
Eshraghian
Mohammad Reza
MR
D003272:Contraceptive Agents, Male; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007492:Iran; D008297:Male; D008519:Medicine, Traditional; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D026902:Potassium Channel Blockers / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D032105:Ruta / Q000737:chemistry*; D013078:Sperm Immobilizing Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects*; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects
D003272:Contraceptive Agents, Male; D010936:Plant Extracts; D026902:Potassium Channel Blockers; D015221:Potassium Channels; D013078:Sperm Immobilizing Agents