Effect of Ethanol Extract of Whole Plant of Trichosanthes cucumerina var. cucumerina L. on Gonadotropins, Ovarian Follicular Kinetics and Estrous Cycle for Screening of Antifertility Activity in Albino Rats

Abstract

Ethanol extract of whole plant of Trichosanthes cucumerina L. var. cucumerina was evaluated for antiovulatory activity in adult rats. The ethanol extract at the doses 200 and 400mg/kg body weight (orally) affected the normal estrous cycle showing a significant increase in estrus and metestrus phases and decrease in diestrus and proestrus phases. The extract also significantly reduced the number of healthy follicles (Class I-Class VI) and corpora lutea and increased the number of regressing follicles (Stage IA, Stage IB, Stage IIA, and Stage IIB). The protein and glycogen content in the ovaries were significantly reduced in treated rats. The cholesterol level was significantly increased, whereas, the enzyme activities like 3b-HSD and 17b-HSD were significantly inhibited in the ovary of treated rats. Serum FSH and LH levels were significantly reduced in the treated groups were measured by RIA. In acute toxicity test, neither mortality nor change in the behavior or any other physiological activities in mice were observed in the treated groups. In chronic toxicity studies, no mortality was recorded and there were no significant differences in the body and organ weights were observed between controls and treated rats. Hematological analysis showed no significant differences in any of the parameters examined (RBC, WBC count and Hemoglobin estimation). These observations showed the antiovulatory activity of ethanol extract of whole plant of Trichosanthes cucumerina L. var. cucumerina in female albino rats.

Contraceptive Effect of Neem Seed Oil and Its Active Fractions on Female Albino Rabbits

“…During the initial development, the ovarian follicles cells produce estrogen, and during the latter stage under the influence of LH, they produce progesterone [23,24]. Since the maturation of follicles has been affected by Neem seed oil and its Fraction IV and Fraction V. In the all above three treatment groups, the number of follicles reduces drastically which reflects inhibitory function of neem seed oil and its Fraction IV and V. Similarly, the increased level of serum cholesterol may show the antiestrogenic nature of plant material because cholesterol is an important precursor in synthesis of steroid hormones [25][26][27][28]. The specific function of cholesterol in the ovary is to act as precursor molecule for synthesis of estrogen [29] so the increased level is thus due to non-utilization of cholesterol due to inhibitory ovary function so it is confirmed that Neem seed oil alone and its Fraction IV and V may affect the intraovarian estrogen level either by inhibiting the ovarian cell function or by inhibiting follicle-stimulating hormone and LH secretion through hypothalamus-hypophysis axis, and impaired estrogen synthesis has been achieved resulting infertility.…”

Fertility control of rodent pests: a review of the inhibitory effects of plant extracts on ovarian function

“…Different parts of this plant are used in traditional medicines; for example, in the treatment of inflammatory conditions, liver disorders and gastrointestinal problems. The plant is also known to affect female reproduction . Extracts of the whole plant disrupted ovulation in female rats .…”

“…The plant is also known to affect female reproduction . Extracts of the whole plant disrupted ovulation in female rats . Oral administration of an ethanol extract (200 and 400 mg kg −1 body weight) for 30 days disrupted the oestrous cycle, leading to significant increases in the oestrous and metoestrous phases.…”

“…In addition, the protein and glycogen content of the ovaries and serum FSH and LH concentrations were significantly lower in treated groups. Furthermore, ovarian cholesterol levels were significantly increased, whereas steroidogenic enzyme activities such as 3β‐hydrosysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD) and 17β‐HSD were substantially inhibited in the ovaries of treated rats . As with S. trifoliatus (soapnut plant), the effect of the extract of T. cucumerinas at the ovarian level was indirect through disruption of gonadotrophin release.…”

Antiulcer activity of Trichosanthes cucumerina linn. against experimental gastro-duodenal ulcers in rats

“…are used as laxative, purgative, antipyretic, alexiteric and antiulcer agent (Kirtikar and Basu, 1935). Scientific evidences regarding antidiabetic (Kirana and Srinivasan, 2008), hepatoprotective (Kumar et al, 2009), anti-inflammatory (Kolte et al, 1996), antifertility (Kage et al, 2009), antioxidant (Adebooye, 2008), antibacterial (Hariti and Rathee, 1995), antifungal (Harit and Rathee, 1996) and antiviral (McGrath et al, 1992) activities of the plant were reported. The fruits contain ascorbic acid, lycopene, phenols, flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins and saponins (Adebooye, 2008;Edeoga et al, 2010).…”