title: Spermicidal activity of Indian seaweeds: an in vitro study.
abstract: Contraceptive properties of seaweeds are still stands as lacuna; in this context, the screening of in vitro male contraceptive properties of crude ethanolic extract of Indian seaweeds against normal human sperm is carried out. In total, twelve seaweeds were screened for in vitro spermicidal activity. Among these twelve seaweeds, Halimeda gracilis showed 100% inhibition of human spermatozoa at 10 mg ml(-1) concentration in 20 s and its EC50 value was 2.05 mg ml(-1) in 20 s. Further, dose- and time-dependent spermicidal assay revealed that the sperm was completely immobilised for 20 s. Plasma membrane of sperm was damaged due to the exposure of H. gracilis extract. MTT assay with H. gracilis extract showed 88.5% of cytotoxic incidence. H. gracilis extract tested for cytotoxicity against Artemia salina recorded LC50 value of 34.8 μg ml(-1) . Phytochemical analysis of H. gracilis extract evidenced the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, proteins and sugars. Results of this study clearly inferred that the synergistic effect of active principles reside within the H. gracilis extract had shown better contraceptive activity.
authors.affiliation: SRM Research Institute, SRM University, Kattankulathur, Tamilnadu, India; Department of Oceanography and Coastal Area Study, School of Marine Sciences, Thondi Campus, Alagappa University, Thondi, Tamilnadu, India.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Prakash
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ravikumar
authors.forename: K V R
authors.initials: KV
authors.lastname: Reddy
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kannapiran
mesh_terms: D003272:Contraceptive Agents, Male / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012624:Seaweed / Q000737:chemistry*; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects; D013089:Spermatocidal Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D003272:Contraceptive Agents, Male; D010936:Plant Extracts; D013089:Spermatocidal Agents
keywords: Halimeda gracilis; MTT assay; seaweed; spermicidal activity