Spermatotoxic effects of Cananga odorata (Lam): a comparison with gossypol.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the antifertility effects of 50% ethanolic extract of the root bark of Cananga odorata with gossypol.


METHODS
Controlled research laboratory study.


METHODS
University research laboratory.


METHODS
Male albino rats (Sprague Dawley, body weight 150 +/- 5 g) bred in university animal house.


METHODS
A 50% ethanolic extract of the root bark of Cananga odorata and gossypol was administered orally for 60 days. On day 61, one third of the animals in each group were killed for various analyses. One half of the remaining animals were used for the evaluation of fertility index, and other half was maintained for 15 days more on normal diet.


METHODS
The epididymal sperm motility, morphology, and count, the testicular activities of HMG CoA reductase, 3beta-hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, and testicular cholesterol and serum testosterone were assessed.


RESULTS
Differences were not observed in the sperm count and fertility index of the gossypol group in comparison with the C odorata group. But statistically significant alterations were noted in the sperm morphology as well as in the activity of HMG CoA reductase, 3beta-hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, cholesterol, and protein of the testis and in serum testosterone. On withdrawal of the drugs, sperms in C odorata group became completely motile but not in the gossypol group. The active component is a 52 kd protein.


CONCLUSIONS
The ethanolic extract of Cananga odorata possesses antifertility effects.
Pankajakshy
Anitha
A
Department of Biochemistry, University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram, India.
Madambath
Indira
I
D015096:3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D054362:Cananga; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000378:metabolism; D003272:Contraceptive Agents, Male / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004822:Epididymis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D000431:Ethanol; D005298:Fertility / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D006072:Gossypol; D006903:Hydroxymethylglutaryl CoA Reductases / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013076:Sperm Count; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects; D013089:Spermatocidal Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013737:Testis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
D003272:Contraceptive Agents, Male; D010936:Plant Extracts; D013089:Spermatocidal Agents; D000431:Ethanol; D013739:Testosterone; D002784:Cholesterol; D015096:3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases; D006903:Hydroxymethylglutaryl CoA Reductases; D006072:Gossypol