Histomorphological and biochemical changes induced by triptolide treatment in male lesser bandicoot rat, Bandicota bengalensis.

Mature and healthy male lesser bandicoot rats, Bandicota bengalensis (n = 40) were fed on bait (mixture of cracked wheat and powdered sugar in 98:2) containing different concentrations of triptolide (0, 0.15, 0.20 and 0.25% w/w) for 15 days in two-choice trials. Results revealed no significant effect of triptolide treatment on weights of vital organs after 30 and 60 days of treatment withdrawal. A significant (P ≤ 0.05) increase in plasma levels of TP, ALP, ACP, ALT and AST in response to stress induced in groups of rats treated with 0.20 and 0.25% triptolide was observed after 30 days of treatment withdrawal. No significant effect of treatment was observed on histomorphology of liver. A significant (P ≤ 0.05) effect of triptolide treatment was, however, observed on testicular function in the form of reduced diameter of seminiferous tubules and number of various spermatogenic cells indicating effect on spermatogenesis and spermiogenesis. The cell stages affected did not recover fully within 60 days period following treatment withdrawal. The present study suggests the potential of triptolide in the reproductive management of B. bengalensis by way of affecting testicular function.

Effect of triptolide on reproduction of female lesser bandicoot rat, Bandicota bengalensis.

Triptolide has been reported to cause antifertility in male rats and mice. However, studies on female rats have been limited. Present study was aimed to evaluate the effects of triptolide on reproduction of wild female rodent pest species, Bandicota bengalensis. Feeding of bait containing 0.1, 0.15 and 0.2% triptolide for a period of 15 days in bi-choice resulted in per day ingestion of 17.37, 23.54 and 27.49 mg/kg body weight of triptolide, respectively. Examination of vaginal smear of all the rats revealed a significant (p ≤ 0.05) increase in duration of estrous cycle due to increase in durations of metestrous and diestrous stages in rats of treated groups. Autopsy of rats after 15 and 30 days of treatment withdrawal revealed significant (p ≤ 0.05) reduction in weights of uterus and ovaries, non-significant reduction in weights of liver and levels of estradiol and progesterone and significant (p ≤ 0.05) reduction in levels of urea and BUN and increase in levels of plasma proteins, ALT, AST, ALP, ACP and LDH in rats of treated groups compared to untreated group. There was no significant (p ≤ 0.05) effect of treatment on body weight. Triptolide treatment affected the histomorphology of uterus by causing a decrease in lumen and columnar cell height and number of uterine glands and ovary by increasing the number of atretic follicles and decreasing the number of developing follicles. The present study suggests triptolide to be a strong candidate affecting reproduction of female B. bengalensis.

Antifertility activity of methanolic bark extract of Aegle marmelos (l.) in male wistar rats.

BACKGROUND: Aegle marmelos leaf, seed and fruit from earlier studies is known to affect male fertility in reversible manner. However they had delayed onset and recovery was found to be prolonged. The present study was undertaken with an aim to evaluate the effect of Aegle marmelos bark extract on rats as the extract is found to be a rich source of marmin and fagarine known for reducing male fertility. Three different concentration of methanolic bark extracts of Aegle marmelos (L.) were evaluated for male antifertility activity on albino wistar rats. Methanolic bark extract of Aegle marmelos at the dose of 200, 400, and 600 mg/Kg b.w was administered orally for 60 days. Treatments were stopped thereafter and animals were sacrificed after a recovery period of 30 days. Control animal were administered vehicle (0.5% CMC for 60 days). Lonidamine was used as standard drug to compare the effect of extract. RESULTS: Methanolic extract causes a dose & duration dependent infertility via reducing reproductive organ weight and serum testosterone levels. Sperm analysis results showed reduction in sperm density, motility, viability and sperm acrosomal integrity without interfering libido and vital organ body weight. Histopathological studies of testes revealed exfoliation of elongated spermatids, nuclear chromatin condensation, degeneration and prominent spaces detected within the germinal epithelium signifying testicular cytotoxicity and necrosis. Time dependent complete infertility was observed in all dose levels. Animals after the withdrawal from treatment, for 30 days showed restoration of the morphological as well as physiological parameters in extract treated rats. Methanolic extract showed lipid lowering activity compared to control, suggestive good candidature of this plant for further studies. CONCLUSIONS: Our studies suggested Aegle marmelos barks methanolic extract as strong candidate for male contraceptive via its ability to produce complete inhibition of pregnancy, rapid restoration of fertility after withdrawal from treatment and its lipid correcting ability proving further beneficial effects.