neurochemical subtleties. Lengthy discussion is published verbatim and in general enhances the value of the papers. A major justification of the duplicate publication usually involved in printing symposia proceedings is the orientation provided in the field by bringing together related work, not merely in juxtaposition, but under evaluative discussion by leading investigators within and across disciplines. In this case comment was incisive and much remains cogent.

Screening Methods in Pharmacology.

Potential antifertility agents from plants: a comprehensive review.

ever in doubt, of the ageing of the population in hospitals for the mentally subnormal, and in particular of the I onger survival rate of the severely subnormal. Although this volume has only 254 pages and an index, the lay-out is compact, making it the equivalent of a larger volume. It is printed by photolithography; the type is clear and the many Figures and Tables are well produced. It has a paper cover, but is well bound and is good value for money.

https://jnnp.bmj.com/content/jnnp/34/2/208.2.full.pdf

Bancroft's introduction to biostatistics

Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn. (Nymphaeaceae) is a potential aquatic crop grown and consumed throughout Asia. All parts of N. nucifera have been used for various medicinal purposes in various systems of medicine including folk medicines, Ayurveda, Chinese traditional medicine, and oriental medicine. Many chemical constituents have been isolated till the date. However, the bioactive constituents of lotus are mainly alkaloids and flavonoids. Traditionally, the whole plant of lotus was used as astringent, emollient, and diuretic. It was used in the treatment of diarrhea, tissue inflammation, and homeostasis. The rhizome extract was used as antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory properties due to the presence of asteroidal triterpenoid. Leaves were used as an effective drug for hematemesis, epistaxis, hemoptysis, hematuria, and metrorrhagia. Flowers were used to treat diarrhea, cholera, fever, and hyperdipsia. In traditional medicine practice, seeds are used in the treatment of tissue inflammation, cancer and skin diseases, leprosy, and poison antidote. Embryo of lotus seeds is used in traditional Chinese medicine as Lian Zi Xin, which primarily helps to overcome nervous disorders, insomnia, and cardiovascular diseases (hypertension and arrhythmia). Nutritional value of lotus is as important as pharmaceutical value. These days' different parts of lotus have been consumed as functional foods. Thus, lotus can be regarded as a potential nutraceutical source.

/pdf/phytochemical-profile-and-biological-activity-of-nelumbo-2n9hf715b1.pdf

Phytochemical Profile and Biological Activity of Nelumbo nucifera

Phytochemistry and medicinal uses of the bael fruit (Aegle marmelos Correa): A concise review

Suppression of fertility in male albino rats following the administration of 50% ethanolic extract of Aegle marmelos

Background: Plants have served as a natural source of antifertility substances The reactivated interest in the evaluation of some lead plants for fertility prompted us to undertake studies on the antifertility potential of Aegle marmelos leaves Study Design: Fifty percent ethanolic extract from the leaves of A marmelos (AMLEt) was prepared The effect of A marmelos leaf extract on the reproductive system of male albino rats was investigated at three different doses, namely, 100, 200 and 300 mg −1 kg −1 day −1 for each rat for 60 days Recovery was also investigated after a withdrawal of 120 days Results: All the major accessory sex organs shed weight postadministration of the extract There was a marked reduction in motility and density of the sperm derived from cauda epididymis of the treated animals A marmelos reduced fertility of male rats by 100% at the 300-mg dose level Serum testosterone levels also decreased significantly in all the experimental groups The protein, glycogen and lipid peroxidation content of the testes was significantly reduced at the highest dose level; a highly significant increase in testicular cholesterol was observed along with a highly significant reduction in the sialic acid contents of testes, epididymis and seminal vesicles Blood tests did not point to distress in any of the vital organs Withdrawal of the extract restored all the altered parameters including organ weights, fertility, testosterone levels and tissue biochemistry to control levels after 120 days Conclusions: Taken together, it is inferred that the leaf extract of A marmelos (AMLEt) suppresses fertility in male rats Complete recovery of fertility was observed following the withdrawal of drug Absence of any deleterious effect on the vital organs points to the safe use of

Original research article Suppression of fertility in male albino rats following the administration of 50% ethanolic extract of Aegle marmelos

Background: Nelumbo nucifera has been used as antifertility agent in females by the local tribals of Rajasthan especially of Udaipur district India. Objective: The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of Nelumbo nucifera on the fertility and general physiology in female rats. Materials and Methods: 20 female albino rats were taken and divided into two groups. Group 1 served as control and group 2 received ethanolic extract at dose of 800mg/kg b.wt. for investigating the nature of the drug and antifertility effect. Vaginal smear was monitored everyday in the morning to study the estrous cycle. On day 41 st all the animals were sacrificed and various haematological and biochemical parameters were estimated. Results: Data revealed that oral administration of Nelumbo nucifera extract brought about a significant decline in the weight of Ovary; Control (43±4.75mg), Nelumbo extract treated (25±3.86mg), Uterus; Control (236±0.004mg), Nelumbo extract treated (214±0.007mg) and Vagina; Control (221±0.002mg), Nelumbo extract treated (178±0.003mg) as well as protein and glycogen level, however cholesterol level increased significantly. In addition, the diestrous phase of the estrous cycle was found to be prolonged; Control (1.81±0.21) days, Nelumbo extract treated (3.62±0.42) days. Conclusion: These results suggest that Nelumbo nucifera has the anti-estrogenic nature without altering the general physiology of the female rats.

/pdf/effect-of-nelumbo-nucifera-seeds-on-the-reproductive-organs-13ee25m4x9.pdf

Effect of Nelumbo nucifera seeds on the reproductive organs of female rats

To study the effects of Aegle marmelos on the testicular reproductive system, a 50% ethanolic extract of Aegle marmelos leaves (AMLEt) was fed orally to male albino rats at the dose levels of 200 and 300 mg/kg body wt./day for 60 days. Recovery was assessed for an additional 120 days. Oral administration of AMLEt did not cause body weight loss. The motility and sperm concentration were significantly reduced along with complete inhibition of fertility at a dose of 300 mg/kg. The level of serum testosterone also declined and spermatogenesis was impaired. The number of normal tubules and the height of epithelial cells of the caput and cauda were reduced significantly. The cross sectional surface area of Sertoli cells and mature Leydig cells was reduced along with a dose dependent reduction of preleptotene and pachytene spermatocytes. Thus the antifertility effects of Aegle marmelos seemed to be mediated by disturbances in structure and function in testicular somatic cells including Leydig and Sertoli cells resulting in an alteration in physio-morphological events of spermatogenesis. However, complete recovery was observed after a 120 day withdrawal.

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/19396360802516856

Reversible changes in the antifertility induced by Aegle marmelos in male albino rats.

This experiment tested the antifertility effect of Aegle marmelos. Oral administration of aqueous extract to male rats brought about a highly significant decrease in the weights of testes, epididymis, seminal vesicle, ventral prostate and vas deferens. Sperm motility as well as sperm density in the cauda epididymis was reduced significantly: fertility was reduced by 70%. The sialic acid, protein, glycogen, fructose and ascorbic acid contents of the testes and other reproductive tissues were significantly decreased, while the testicular cholesterol content was significantly elevated. The assays of various hormones reflects the fact that serum testosterone levels reduced significantly in the experimental group, while no changes were observed in the levels of serum estradiol, LH and FSH. There were no significant changes in the total erythrocyte count, total leucocyte count, haemoglobin, haematocrit, blood sugar and blood urea in the blood, nor in acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase, total protein, cholesterol, triglyceride, phospholipid and bilirubin content in the serum, suggesting no ill effects on the physiology of the rats. We conclude that aqueous extract of the leaves of Aegle marmelos has an antispermatogenic/antifertility effect. Keywords : sperm motility, sperm density, hormonal assays Egyptian Journal of Biology Vol. 10 2008: pp. 28-35

Alka Chauhan

Papers

Suppression of fertility in male albino rats following the administration of 50% ethanolic extract of Aegle marmelos

Original research article Suppression of fertility in male albino rats following the administration of 50% ethanolic extract of Aegle marmelos

Effect of Nelumbo nucifera seeds on the reproductive organs of female rats

Reversible changes in the antifertility induced by Aegle marmelos in male albino rats.

Antifertility studies of Aegle marmelos Corr., an Indian medicinal plant on male albino rats