Spermicidal activity of Indian seaweeds: an in vitro study. (5th April 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Prakash, S.; Ravikumar, S.; Reddy, K. V. R.; Kannapiran, E.
• Is Part Of: Andrologia. Volume 46:Number 4(2014:Aug.)
• Page Start: 408
• Page End: 416
• Publication Date: 2013-04-05
• Subjects: Andrology -- Periodicals; Infertility, Male -- Periodicals; 616.69
• DOI: 10.1111/and.12096
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0303-4569

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" xml:lang="en" id="and12096-abs-0001"> <title>Summary</title> <p>Contraceptive properties of seaweeds are still stands as lacuna; in this context, the screening of <italic>in vitro</italic> male contraceptive properties of crude ethanolic extract of Indian seaweeds against normal human sperm is carried out. In total, twelve seaweeds were screened for <italic>in vitro</italic> spermicidal activity. Among these twelve seaweeds, <italic>Halimeda gracilis</italic> showed 100% inhibition of human spermatozoa at 10 mg ml⁻¹ concentration in 20 s and its EC₅₀ value was 2.05 mg ml⁻¹ in 20 s. Further, dose‐ and time‐dependent spermicidal assay revealed that the sperm was completely immobilised for 20 s. Plasma membrane of sperm was damaged due to the exposure of <italic>H. gracilis</italic> extract. MTT assay with <italic>H. gracilis</italic> extract showed 88.5% of cytotoxic incidence. <italic>H. gracilis</italic> extract tested for cytotoxicity against <italic>Artemia salina</italic> recorded LC₅₀ value of 34.8 μg ml⁻¹. Phytochemical analysis of <italic>H. gracilis</italic> extract evidenced the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, proteins and sugars. Results of this study clearly inferred that the synergistic effect of active principles reside within the <italic>H. gracilis</italic> extract had shown better contraceptive activity.</p> </abstract>