Showing papers in "Indian Journal of Experimental Biology in 1968"

Antifertility activity of some medicinal plants.

Abstract: In Indian folklore medicine a number of medicinal plants are claimed to have oral contraceptive value. A systematic investigation of their active constituents has been undertaken and the results of preliminary screening of their antifertility activities are reported. The following species collected locally were studied: Abrus pecatorius L. leaves and seeds; Adhatoda vasica nees leaves; Aloe barbadensis Mill leaves and roots; Ananas comosus Merr. rhizomes; Digitalis lanata Ehrh. leaves; Mallotus philippinensis Muell.-Arg. seeds; Moringa pterygosperma Gaertn. bark; Piper betle L. leaves and roots; Piper longum L. leaves and roots; Sesbania sesban (L.) Merr. flowers leaves and roots; and Stephania hernandifolia (Willd.) Walp. rhizomes. When possible fresh material was minced and pressed and the juice was used directly in screening. Dried materials were powdered and extracted. Separate extractions were made with petroleum ether alcohol and water. Filtered extracts were analyzed for chemical constituents and then evaporated to dryness. The dry residue was fed to animals either in aqueous solution or tragacanth emulsion. Various doses of extracts were fed to albino mice 7 days before and 14 days during mating. The females were observed for pregnancy during the next 14 days. In the case of rats the drug was fed on the day spermatozoa were detected in the vaginal smear and continued 4 more days. On the basis of repeated tests it was observed that the leaves of A. precatorius A. vasica D. lanata and S. sesban and leaves and roots of P. betle and P. longum and seeds of M. philippinensis and bark of M. pterygosperma had no antifertility activity. Petroleum ether extract of A. precatorius seeds showed antifertility activity but the extract was toxic. Petroleum ether extract and the alcoholic extract of A. comosus rhizomes and aqueous extracts of S. sesban flowers and A. barbadensis leaves showed antifertility activity. Petroleum ether extract of S. hermandifolia showed fertility-promoting activity in a colony of 100 rats by a 20% increase in litters while the alcoholic extract on the contrary showed antifertility activity.

Crude extract of Centella asiatica and products derived from its glycosides as oral antifertility agents.

Abstract: Crude extract of Centalla asiatica and products derived from its gly cosides were assessed for their antifertility properties in albino mice. The derivatives were isothankuniside (IK) and BK compound (methyl-5-hydroxy-36-diketo-23 (or 24)-nor-urs-12-ene-28-oate). Treatm ent for 21 days resulted in 75% sterile matings with BK compound and 72.5% sterile matings with IK. Treatment with the crude extract at various dilutions resulted in 50-60% sterile matings. The mode of action of the compounds has yet to be explained.

Effect of alkaloids from Vinca rosea L. on spermatogenesis in male rats.

Abstract: The effect of alkaloids from Vinca rosea L. on spermatogenesis was s tudied in male rats. Intraperitoneal administration of the alkaloids markedly suppressed spermatogenesis. In most tubules spermatogenesis had progressed only to the formation of primary spermatocytes. The treatment caused the testes to become flaccid and their weight decreased. The results indicate that the total alkaloids from V. rosea produce graded degenerative changes in the spermatogenic elements of rat testes.