title: Evaluation of Aqueous Leaf Extract of Cardiospermum halicacabum (L.) on Fertility of Male Rats.
abstract: Treatment with 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg body weight of aqueous leaf extract (ALE) of Cardiospermum halicacabum for 30 days produced a significant dose dependent increase in the sperm counts and sperm motility in both caput and cauda regions. Further, significant increase in serum testosterone level was evident at all applied doses. However, no significant changes in the weight of sex organs were observed. Aqueous leaf extract also increased the number of females impregnated, number of implantations, and number of viable fetuses while decreasing the total number of resorption sites in the pregnant females. However, the total cholesterol level in the serum remained unchanged and there were no records on renotoxicity; nevertheless ALE exhibited a hepatoprotective effect. It was concluded that aqueous leaf extract of Cardiospermum halicacabum enhanced sperm concentration, motility, and testosterone, leading to positive results in fertility.
authors.affiliation: Department of Zoology, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, 10250 Nugegoda, Sri Lanka.
authors.forename: L Dinithi C
authors.initials: LD
authors.lastname: Peiris
authors.affiliation: Environemtnal Management Division, Abans Environmental Pvt. Ltd., Colombo 5, Sri Lanka.
authors.forename: M A T
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Dhanushka
authors.affiliation: Department of Zoology, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, 10250 Nugegoda, Sri Lanka.
authors.forename: T A H D G
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Jayathilake
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry; D011247:Pregnancy; D051381:Rats; D029631:Sapindaceae / Q000737:chemistry; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D013737:Testis / Q000187:drug effects; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts; D013739:Testosterone; D002784:Cholesterol