Reversible Anti-Spermatogenic Effect of Piperine on Epididymis and Seminal Vesicles of Albino Rats.
BACKGROUND
We have recently proved the interactions of piperine with androgen receptor and androgen binding protein. The present study was aimed to evaluate the antifertility effect of piperine on male albino rats after the treatment period i. e., after 60 days and withdrawal period i. e., after 120 days.


METHODS
Adult male rats were divided into 4 groups (n=12). Group I:


METHODS
Rats were given vehicle p.o i. e., 0.5% carboxy methyl cellulose (CMC) in normal saline daily for 60 days, Group II: Rats were treated with piperine suspended in 0.5% CMC at a dose of 10 mg/kg daily/60 days. Group III: Rats were treated with piperine suspended in 0.5% CMC at a dose of 10 mg/kg on every 4(th) day for 60 days. Group IV: Rats were treated with piperine suspended in 0.5% CMC at a dose of 10 mg/kg on every 7(th) day for 60 days.


RESULTS
Piperine significantly altered the epididymal sperm count, motility, viability, weight of the epididymis, cauda, caput, corpus and seminal vesicles. It also exhibited negative impact on biochemical markers via decreasing epididymal sialic acid levels, seminal fructose content, epididymal anti-oxidant enzyme activities of super oxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and by increasing the malondialdehyde content after the treatment period. Histopathological observations also supported the above findings. All the altered values were reinforced after the withdrawal period.


CONCLUSIONS
From the results of this study, we can conclude that piperine has the potential to become a good lead for the reversible male oral contraceptive research.
DBT-Interdisciplinary Program in Life Sciences, Pondicherry University, Puducherry, India.
G
G
Chinta
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pondicherry University, Puducherry, India.
L
L
Periyasamy
D000470:Alkaloids / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D000988:Antispermatogenic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D052117:Benzodioxoles / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004822:Epididymis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D010880:Piperidines / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D053284:Polyunsaturated Alkamides / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D051381:Rats; D012669:Seminal Vesicles / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013076:Sperm Count; D013081:Sperm Motility; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000187:drug effects*; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects
D000470:Alkaloids; D000988:Antispermatogenic Agents; D052117:Benzodioxoles; D010880:Piperidines; D053284:Polyunsaturated Alkamides; C008922:piperine