Abstract
Reported researches dealing with either composition or bioactivity of Salsola imbricata are limited. This study was conducted aiming to investigate the phenolic composition of the plant and evaluate its efficacy as male contraceptive. Polyphenols, namely, phenolic acids and flavonoids, were qualitatively and quantitatively analysed by RP-HPLC in the hydrolysed methanol extract using two different wavelengths, 280 and 330 nm. The efficiency of different solvents in extracting the plant phenolics was assessed via spectrophotometric determination of the total phenolic and flavonoid contents. Acute toxicity study was carried out on the ethanolic extract to ascertain its safety prior to biological evaluation. The contraceptive effect was assessed, in male rats, by oral administration of the extract at two doses (250 and 500 mg/kg b. wt.), over a period of 65 days. HPLC analyses allowed the identification and quantification of a total of 13 and 8 components in the hydrolysed-methanol extract; the overall phenolic composition was dominated by quercitrin (12.692%) followed by coumaric acid (4.251%). Prolonged oral administration of the ethanolic extract caused slight reduction in the testis weight only. A significant decrease in the sperm count was observed (P < 0.01) in the two treated groups while significant decrease in the epididymal sperm motility was only observed in the high dose group. Morphological abnormalities were observed in sperms of treated animals. No distinct change in serum FSH, LH, and testosterone concentration was recorded. The histopathological findings supported to a high extent these results. The male contraceptive activity of Salsola imbricata could be ascribed to its phenolic components, especially quercitrin.
Highlights
Contraceptive methods are usually classified as either modern or traditional
The current study focused on evaluation of the male antifertility potential of the alcoholic extract of Salsola imbricata, guided by its folk use as contraceptive, and investigation of its composition especially the phenolic content
The present study was designed to investigate the effect of the ethanolic extract of Salsola imbricata on the fertility of male rats and to investigate the phenolic constituents which may be responsible for this activity
Summary
Contraceptive methods are usually classified as either modern or traditional. Male alternatives are few and relatively underused. Traditional male contraceptive methods include periodic abstinence and withdrawal; the modern ones account for only 8.9% of global contraceptive use and involve the application of condom (barrier method) or vasectomy (sterilization) [1]. Despite the fact that there is no single new male contraceptive drug brought to the market, experimental trials are continuously done on large number of chemicals to introduce hormonal or pharmacologic agents. The results obtained were in most cases unsatisfactory due to side effects, incomplete efficacy, or irreversibility resulting from total spermatogenic arrest [2]. The search for an effective, safe, and reversible male antifertility (contraceptive) drug with minimum side effects remains a challenge
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