Antispermatogenic effect of a combination of Curcuma longa and Neem Bark extracts in rats

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the antispermatogenie efficacy of a combination of Curcuma longa [70% EtOH extract] and Neem bark [50% of EtOH extract] at the ratio of 1:1 in male albino rats. The combination was gavaged to male albino rats at the dose of 500 mg/kg body weight per day for 60 days. The feeding of combination of drugs caused spermatogenic arrest. The sperm motility in the cauda epididymides and sperm density in testes and cauda epididymis were significantly reduced [P<0.001] in the treated group as compared to the controls. Similarly testicular cell population i.e., spermatogonia, primary spermatocytes, secondary spermatocytes and spermatids were reduced significantly in the treated group. The degenerating Leydig cell number was increased significantly. The protein and sialic acid contents of reproductive organs were reduced in the treated group. The Leydig cell nuclear diameter, the epididymal cell height of the caput and cauda epididymides and the weight of the seminal vesicle were also reduced significantly. The two plant extract combination showed a better result as compared to the individual plants previously reported. The combination may act via the Leydig cells

Ecological and pharmacological studies of an aphrodisiac plant corchorus depressus [Linn.]

The aphrodisiac potential of Corchorus depressus and its various ecological and phytochemical parameters were evaluated in the desert environment. The phyto-sociological studies conducted at five sites revealed higher RIV values of this plant during summer period at all sites. Their biomass allocation is largely affected [P<0.01] by both spatial and temporal factors. In vitro germination studies revealed hard seed coat dormancy, duration of acid scarification follows parabolic relation R[2]=0.96] prolonged presoaking [60 h] in water resulted at 50% germination. The variation in different primary metabolites [protein, soluble sugar] secondary metabolites [steroidal sapogenin, phenol and alkaloid] and microelement [Zn and Fe] contributed [P<0.01] by sites, seasons, and plant parts and their different interactions as well. Concentration of different edaphic factors [moisture, pH, EC, organic C, total N, and available P] in Indian arid zone also influenced by factors like site, season and sampling positions [P<0.01]. The bioassay studies with mice indicated that this plant possesses strong androgenic compound and weak estrogenic compound. Summer season harvest is recommended

Antispermatogenic efficacy of Curcuma longa in albino rats

Administration of Curcuma longa [50% EtOH] extract to intact rats at the dose of 20 mg and 30 mg subcutaneously for 30 days caused arrest of spermatogenesis. The diameter of seminiferous tubules and Leydig cell nuclei were reduced. The production of spermatocytes [primary and secondary] and spermatids were significantly reduced [p

Antidiabetic activity of Szygium cumini seeds extract in alloxan induced diabetic mice

After 3 and 6 hours, Syzygium cumini seeds extract [50% EtOH] injection [i.p. 20 mg] reduces blood glucose levels significantly. In intact mice, after 3 hrs of treatment, blood glucose levels were decreased by 37.17% and after 6 hrs these were further decreased by 46.68%. While in alloxan induced diabetic animals, blood glucose levels were depleted after 3 and 6 hrs by 46.12 and 65.71% respectively. These results are comparable with insulin administration of 0.1 unit i.p. which lowered blood glucose levels by 61.19% and 78.12% after 3 and 6 hrs respectively. Hypoglycemic action of Syzygium cumini seeds extract could be due to direct metabolic effect on tissues and/or increase in insulin secretion

Hypolipidaemic effects of curcuma longa [haldi] in rabbits

Hypolipidaemic nature of Curcuma longa [50% EtOH] extract was studied in hyperlipidaemic rabbits. the increased cholesterol levels were brought to normal by administration of Curcuma longa [serum cholesterol dropped from 940.7 +/- 210.3 to 230.41 +/- 50.10 and 119.2 +/- 21.27, 75.55% and 87.32%]. Similarly, ohospholipids and triglycerides levels were also reduced. The tissues lipids profiles of liver and heart muscle showed similar changes in those noticed in serum lipids