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Effect of Stephania hernandifolia leaf extract on testicular activity in rats
1Reproductive Endocrinology and Family Welfare Research Unit, Department of Human Physiology with Community Health, Vidyasagar University, Midnapore, 721 102 West Bengal, India.
Aim:
The testicular inhibitory effect of the aqueous fraction of methanol extract of Stephania hernandifolia leaf was studied in male Wistar rats.
Methods:
The supernatent and the precipitate part of aqueous fractions of the methanol extract of the leaf were gavaged separately to rat at a similar dose of 200 mg/mL per 100 g body weight per day for 28 days. After cessation of treatment, various observations were conducted.
Results:
In both treated groups, there were significant decreases in the relative weights of the sex organs, the testicular key androgenic enzymes activities, the plasma level of testosterone, the number of different germ cells at stage VII of seminiferous epithelial cell cycle and the seminiferous tubular diameter in comparison to the controls. Neither of the parts had somatic, renal and hepatic toxicity. This study suggested that the active molecules present in the aqueous fraction of methanol extract of Stephania hernandifolia leaves might be steroids as indicated by thin layer chromatography using specific staining substance for steroid molecules.
Conclusion:
In rats, the aqueous fraction of methanol extract of the S. hernandifolia leaves possesses certain testis-inhibitory substances, which may be steroid-like agents.