RESUMO
Oroxylum indicum (L.) Kurz, commonly called as Broken bones tree or Indian trumpet flower, belonging to Fam. Bignoniaceae, is traditionally used as a contraceptive by ethnic people of Tripura, North-East India. Here, we investigated the scientific basis for use of O. indicum as male antifertility agent by folklore healers. In vitro spermicidal activity of aqueous (AEOI) and methanolic (MEOI) extracts of O. indicum stem bark were studied on human sperm. The in vivo activity was experimented on male albino rats. The treated animals were allowed to mate and the pups delivered by female rat partners were counted. Phytochemical estimation of test samples was done using HPLC. The AEOI and MEOI treatments significantly decreased human sperm motility and viability. Test extracts have increased the hypo-osmotic swelling of sperm. Both the extracts were significantly declined the weight of reproductive organ. The MEOI treated rats have shown significant decrease in sperm motility and sperm counts. AEOI and MEOI treatment significantly reduced level of testosterone, but sharply raised dihydrotestosterone and prostaglandin in rats. Results testified the traditional claim for use of O. indicum as a male contraceptive agent, where MEOI have shown reversible action on male reproductive system leading to contraception without harming the libido.
RESUMO
History ensures that, plants with its medicinal usage are always being the topic of attraction for the researchers. Medicinal plants can be used for the various purposes, for example healing pain, treating ailments or any other health issues. Gastrointestinal diseases more specifically liver disorders are treated with the help of these medicinal plants. Manipur is considered to be the place where liver disorders are primarily treated with the help of these medicinal plants by local health care providers, which emphasize the attributes of these plants in health care system. Following this aspect the study was carried out at three different districts namely Bishnupur, Kakching and Thoubal, that includes Ethnobotanical field surveys conducted from 2012-14, by covering traditional healers of Meitei community. Collected information from the surveys was analyzed and the target plants were identified. Disease Consensus Index was calculated on the basis of collected information to determine most significant plants. A total of 52 plant species of 34 distinct families are used as hepatoprotective medicinal plants amongst which the highest Disease Consensus Index (DCI) value was found in the species named Engelhardtia spicata Lechen; ex Blume. From these ethno pharmacological data plants with highest hepatoprotective values are identified.