Effect ofCissampelos capensisrhizome extract on human spermatozoain vitro

Abstract

SummaryCissampelos capensis is commonly known by the Afrikaans name 'dawidjies' or 'dawidjieswortel'. C. capensis is the most important and best-known medicinal plant of the family Menispermaceae used by the Khoisan and other rural people in the western regions of South Africa. Among numerous other ailments, it is traditionally taken to treat male fertility problems. Yet, no studies have investigated the effects of this plant or its extracts on human spermatozoa. The aim of study was to investigate the effects of C. capensis extracts on sperm function. A total of 77 semen samples were collected. Spermatozoa were washed with HTF-BSA medium and incubated with different concentrations of C. capensis (0, 0.05, 0.5, 5, 50, 200 lg ml À1 ) for 1 h at 37°C. Sperm motility, vitality, acrosome reaction, reactive oxygen species (ROS), capacitation, Annexin V binding, DNA fragmentation and mitochondrial membrane potential (Dw m ) were determined. While viability, Annexin V positivity and Dw m were not affected, the percentages of ROS-positive, TUNEL-positive, capacitated and hyperactivated spermatozoa increased significantly and dose-dependently. It is concluded that the alkaloids present in the extract of C. capansis rhizomes triggered sperm intrinsic superoxide production leading to sperm capacitation and DNA fragmentation.

Deleterious effect of short-term gavage of an ethanol extract of cogon grass (Imperata cylindrica L.) roots on testis and epididymal sperm quality

“…A previous study reported that the administration of alkaloids and triterpenoids has a negative effect on fertility [ 36 ], as they can inhibit spermatogenesis [ 37 ] and alter the morphology and histology of testes [ 38 ]. These results are comparable with a study that administered Cissampelos capensis rhizomes , which caused a dose-dependent increase in sperm intrinsic superoxide production leading to sperm capacitation and DNA fragmentation [ 39 ]. A similar study using withanolide-A also reported a decrease in the testosterone levels in rats, which reduced fertility and inhibited spermatogenesis [ 40 ].…”

Cissampelos capensis L.f. (Menispermaceae): Review of its medicinal uses, phytochemical and pharmacological properties

“…Leaves, rhizome and roots (Wet and Wyk, 2008;van de Venter et al, 2008) Diuretic Rhizome (Wet et al, 2011;Shalaweh et al, 2015b) Emetic…”

“…The extract resulted in a dose-dependent increase in ROS, DNA fragmentation, capacitated and hyper activated spermatozoa (Shalaweh et al, 2015a). Similarly, (Shalaweh et al, 2015b) evaluated the spermatozoa activities of methanol fractions of C. capensis by assessing sperm motility, ROS, DNA-fragmentation, acrosome reaction and capacitation. The extract resulted in higher values for ROS, capacitation and hyperactivation (Shalaweh et al, 2015b).…”

“…Similarly, (Shalaweh et al, 2015b) evaluated the spermatozoa activities of methanol fractions of C. capensis by assessing sperm motility, ROS, DNA-fragmentation, acrosome reaction and capacitation. The extract resulted in higher values for ROS, capacitation and hyperactivation (Shalaweh et al, 2015b). evaluated cytotoxicity activities of crude alkaloidal extracts isolated from the leaves and rhizomes of C. capensis using MCF7 (breast), UACC62 (melanoma) and TK10 (renal) cancer cell lines with adriamycin and 5-luorouracil as positive controls.…”

Investigation of the Effects of Kigelia Africana (Lam.) Benth. Extracts on Tm3 Leydig Cells

“…The antioxidants present in plant products help in the stimulation of cellular defense system and biological system against oxidative damage [4]. In South Africa, medicinal plants are used to treat and manage various ailments such diabetes, hypertension, diarrhea, and male reproductive disorders [5,6]. Approximately 3000 plant species from more than 30,000 higher plant species are used in traditional medicines for the treatment of various conditions [7].…”