title: Effects of Heliopsis longipes ethanolic extract on mouse spermatozoa in vitro.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Heliopsis longipes (A. Gray) Blake (Asteraceae), a plant native to Mexico, is used in traditional medicine as analgesic and microbicide. The main component in the H. longipes ethanolic extract (HLEE) is affinin, as determined by HPLC/UV-visible and NMR measurement. To date, there is no documented evidence on the spermicidal activity of this extract.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to assess in vitro the effectiveness of HLEE as spermicide.
  
  
  METHODS
  The spermicidal activity of HLEE was evaluated by the Sander-Cramer assay. Spermatozoa were incubated for 20 s with HLEE in concentrations ranging from 75 to 2000 µg/mL to determine the minimum effective concentration (MEC) value. The 50% effective concentration (EC50) of HLEE was estimated by assaying serial dilutions from the MEC. Additionally, sperms were incubated with 125, 250, or 500 µg/mL of HLEE to evaluate the viability and the integrity of sperm membrane. Lipid peroxidation was assessed by the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances assay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  HLEE caused an inhibition of 100% in spermatozoa motility at a MEC value of 2000 µg/mL; the EC50 value was 125 µg/mL. Additionally, exposure to HLEE at 125, 250, or 500 µg/mL for 30 min decreased sperm viability to 27%, 8%, and 2% of the control value, respectively, and significantly increased the percentage of sperms with structurally disorganized membrane. HLEE also increased significantly the level of lipid peroxidation in sperms with respect to controls.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results demonstrate the spermicidal activity of HLEE in vitro and suggest that this action is caused by oxidative damage and alterations in the spermatozoal membrane.
authors: a Academic Area of Medicine, Institute of Health Sciences at Autonomous University of the State of Hidalgo , Pachuca , Hidalgo , Mexico .
authors: Evelia
authors: E
authors: Martinez-Loredo
authors: a Academic Area of Medicine, Institute of Health Sciences at Autonomous University of the State of Hidalgo , Pachuca , Hidalgo , Mexico .
authors: Jeannett A
authors: JA
authors: Izquierdo-Vega
authors: a Academic Area of Medicine, Institute of Health Sciences at Autonomous University of the State of Hidalgo , Pachuca , Hidalgo , Mexico .
authors: Raquel
authors: R
authors: Cariño-Cortes
authors: b Department of Environmental Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine at University Autonomous of San Luis Potosi , San Luis Potosi , SLP , Mexico , and.
authors: Virginia Gabriela
authors: VG
authors: Cilia-López
authors: a Academic Area of Medicine, Institute of Health Sciences at Autonomous University of the State of Hidalgo , Pachuca , Hidalgo , Mexico .
authors: Eduardo O
authors: EO
authors: Madrigal-Santillán
authors: a Academic Area of Medicine, Institute of Health Sciences at Autonomous University of the State of Hidalgo , Pachuca , Hidalgo , Mexico .
authors: Clara
authors: C
authors: Zuñiga-Pérez
authors: a Academic Area of Medicine, Institute of Health Sciences at Autonomous University of the State of Hidalgo , Pachuca , Hidalgo , Mexico .
authors: Carmen
authors: C
authors: Valadez-Vega
authors: c Department of Molecular Physiology Unit , National Institute of Medical Sciences and Nutrition Salvador Zubiran , Mexico , DF , Mexico.
authors: Erika
authors: E
authors: Moreno
authors: a Academic Area of Medicine, Institute of Health Sciences at Autonomous University of the State of Hidalgo , Pachuca , Hidalgo , Mexico .
authors: Manuel
authors: M
authors: Sánchez-Gutiérrez
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019659:Asteraceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000187:drug effects; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D000431:Ethanol / Q000737:chemistry*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000737:chemistry; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects*; D013089:Spermatocidal Agents / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts; D013089:Spermatocidal Agents; D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances; D000431:Ethanol
keywords: Membrane integrity; oxidative damage; spermicidal activity