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In Vitro Study on Spermicidal Action of Hydro-methanol Extract of Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Stem in Rat and Human Sperm: a Comparative Analysis

  • Reproductive Endocrinology: Original Article
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Abstract

Human fertility regulation is a major way to control overpopulation. In this perspective, this study emphasized the in vitro effect of hydro-methanol extract of Tinospora cordifolia (TCHME) stem for spermicidal and reproductive hypo-functions using human and rat samples. Control, 0.5-, 1-, and 2-mg TCHME-charged groups were considered to assess the relevant parameters. Levels of spermiological parameters like sperm motility, viability, the integrity of plasma and acrosomal membrane, and nuclear chromatin decondensation were significantly reduced (p < 0.05) in the dose- and duration-dependent TCHME-charged groups compared to the control. The inhibitory concentration 50 (IC50) of TCHME on motile human and rat sperms were 0.8 and 0.4 mg/ml, respectively. Testicular androgenic key enzymes and antioxidant enzymes (human sperm pellet, testes, and epididymis of rat)’ activities were significantly diminished (p < 0.05), while antioxidant enzymes’ activities were significantly elevated (p < 0.05) in renal and insignificantly (p > 0.05) elevated in hepatic tissues of rat in TCHME-charged groups compared to the control. Significant elevation (p < 0.05) of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS)’ level in human sperm pellet, testes, and epididymis of rats and significant diminution (p < 0.05) in TBARS levels of liver and kidney were observed in TCHME-charged groups. It focused that TCHME is more potent for stress imposition on reproductive tissues and sperm compared to the other tested tissues. Non-significant alterations (p > 0.05) in glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) and glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) activities in the said organs of rat indicated its non-toxic effect. It highlighted that TCHME possesses spermicidal and reproductive tissue-specific effects which strengthen the possibilities of male contraceptive development from it.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to the UGC for providing the funding necessary to complete this work. University Grants Commission (UGC), Govt. of India. NTA Ref No.: 200510431209.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Life Sciences, Vidyasagar University, Midnapore, West Bengal, 721 102, India

    Puja Das

  2. Molecular Medicine, Nutrigenomics and Public Health Research Laboratory, Department of Bio-Medical Laboratory Science and Management, Vidyasagar University, Midnapore, West Bengal, 721 102, India

    Dipanwita Mitra & Debidas Ghosh

  3. Division of Molecular Medicine, Bose Institute, EN 80, Sector-V, Bidhannagar, Kolkata, 700091, India

    Kuladip Jana

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Contributions

Puja Das conducted the project, methodology, and drafted the original manuscript. Data analysis and data curation were performed by Kuladip Jana, and Dipanwita Mitra handled the animals and collected the human semen samples. Debidas Ghosh supervised, conceptualized the study design, and edited and validated the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Debidas Ghosh.

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This study was approved by the Institutional Ethics Committee of Vidyasagar University with reference no. VU/IAEC/CPCSEA/6/7/2022 dt.22.11.2022.

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Das, P., Mitra, D., Jana, K. et al. In Vitro Study on Spermicidal Action of Hydro-methanol Extract of Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Stem in Rat and Human Sperm: a Comparative Analysis. Reprod. Sci. 30, 3480–3494 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s43032-023-01327-4

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