Effect of Melia azedarach and Dodonaea viscosa aqueous leaf extracts on fertility in male albino rats.

Medicinal plants play a key role in human life as they are helpful in curing several diseases. They not only support health by the pharmacological nature but also utilizable as contraceptive options. The present study reveals that the medicinal plants Melia azedarach and Dodonaea viscosa leaf extracts showing antifertility activity. The decreased sperm count and reproductive organ weights including the necrotic changes in the seminiferous tubules of testis suggesting the antifertility activity of the plants. Serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT) and other serological studies were also carried out to know whether side-effects of the extracts.

Isolation and evaluation of antifertility activity of total alkaloids from leaves of aegle marmelos in male albino rats (rattus norvegicus).

Aegle marmelos (Rutaceae) is being used in traditional medicine treatments, such as for intermittent fever, intestinal ailments, fertility control etc. It has been proved to be effective against several major diseases including cancer, diabetis and cardiovascular diseases. Although the plant is a well known male antifertility plant, till today only the crude extracts of the plant were screened for antifertility activity in male rats. The plant is rich in alkaloid content and Aegelenine, Marmeline and Skimmianine, are some of the alkaloids isolated so far, showed variety of pharmacological activities. In view of these facts, in the present study, total alkaloids have been isolated from leaves of A. marmelos and their effect on fertility of adult male albino rats (Rattus norvegicus) was investigated. Three different doses 20, 40, 80 mg/kg body weight of total alkaloids were orally administered to mature male albino rats (Wistar strain) of proven fertility (235-2450gr) for 60 days. On day 61, all the animals were sacrificed and the fertility and safety parameters were studied. Weights of all the major reproductive organs, accessory glands and sperm counts were significantly decreased in dose dependent manner suggesting the antifertility activity and serological parameters showed no significant changes in treated animals at the tested dose levels indicating the safety of long-term use of total alkaloidal fraction of A. marmelos.

HIV sero-prevalance in general population of Warangal, A.P., South India.

HIV/AIDS pandemic has devastated many countries reversing national development; HIV was not seen in Asia and India till 1980. Now India has become epicenter of AIDS pandemic. During April 2002 to March 2003 the HIV+ ve pregnant women and their husbands were encouraged to enroll in the prospective study with informed consent. The study results consist of most of the females who are in the age group between 16-25 years who were affected by HIV High infection is observed in people with lower socio-economic and education background. High infection rate is observed in house wives (26.7%), laborers (23%) and agricultural workers (12.1%) followed by toddy tapers (5%), drivers (5.96%) and others (6 47%). HIV +ve subjects at Mother To Child Transmission (MTCT) centers are surprisingly clinically very healthy. No disease manifestation was noticed.