Safety aspects of andrographis paniculata an investigation into possible male reproductive toxicity

Loading...
Thumbnail Image
Date
2004
Authors
Dr. Renu, Agarwal
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
Andrographis paniculata (AP) is one popular form of alternative therapy for diabetes mellitus in Malaysia. It is chosen by Ministry of Science and Technology, Malaysia to develop its standardized 95% ethanol extract (APE) as an effective and safe treatment of diabetes mellitus. Since previous studies have shown conflicting results regarding effects of AP on male reproductive system, this study was undertaken to investigate possible male reproductive toxicity of APE. OBJECTIVES: To study effects of 95% ethanol extract of Andrographis paniculata (APE) on male reproductive health in Sprague Dawley rats. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Fifty adult healthy male rats were randomly divided into 5 groups of 10 animals each. Group 1, 2 and 3 received three different doses of APE (10, 100 & 1000 mg/kg), group 4 received glibenclamide (5mg/kg) while group 5 received 2% CMC (vehicle). Treatment was administered once daily for 4 weeks premating and a maximum of 2 weeks mating period. Body weight was recorded weekly. Four weeks premating treatment was followed by mating of each male with 3 female animals until all females were sperm positive or a maximum of 2 weeks. Male animals were then sacrificed. Reproductive organs were removed and weighed. Left testis was used for spermatid count, left cauda for sperm count and morphology while right testis was used for histopathological examination. RESULTS: Testicular histology showed severe interstitial edema of testis with intact spermatogenesis in group 1; progressively severe disorganized arrangement of germ cells, sloughing of immature cells and significantly smaller tubular diameter in groups 2 and 3. However, Leydig cells showed mild hyperplasia in APE treated groups. Reproductive organ weight was high in group 1 and low in groups 2 and 3 when compared to control. Sperm count, spermatid count and daily sperm production were significantly low (p<0.01) in group 2 and were further reduced in group 3. Abnormal sperms were seen in groups 2 and 3. None of the above mentioned parameters showed significant differences between groups 4 & 5. DISCUSSION: APE adversely affects spermatogenesis by at least two different mechanisms: 1) Increase in capillary permeability 2) Damage to Sertoli cell functions. Increased capillary permeability has resulted into increased reproductive organ weight in group 1, while extensive damage to spermatogenesis in groups 2 and 3, caused primarily by damage to Sertoli cells has resulted into low organ weight and poor semen quality. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the results suggest that APE treatment adversely affects male reproductive functions in a dose-dependent manner in Sprague Dawley rats.
Description
Master
Keywords
Pharmaceutical science , Andrographis paniculata
Citation