Spermicidal & contraceptive properties of Praneem polyherbal pessary.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Though a number of barrier methods and potent spermicides are available, most of these have nonoxynol-9 (N-9) as the active ingredient which is observed to cause inflammation and genital ulceration on repeated use. The present study was undertaken to develop a safe spermicide with conjoint microbicidal properties. METHODS: A polyherbal pessary was formulated with purified ingredients from neem (Azadirachta indica) leaves, Sapindus mukerossi (pericarp of fruit) and Mentha citrata oil. Spermicidal action on human sperm was tested by Sander-Cramer slide test in vitro and by post coital tests in vivo. Contraceptive action was tested in rabbits. RESULTS: The combination of the three herbal ingredients resulted in the potentiation of the spermicidal action by 8-folds. The post coital tests confirmed the spermicidal properties of the Praneem polyherbal pessary (PPP) in women with high cervical mucous score around mid estrus. It also prevented in most women the migration of sperm into the cervical mucous. In 15 rabbits studied pregnancy was prevented by the intravaginal administration of PPP, whereas 13 of the 15 animals in the control group became pregnant. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: The Praneem polyherbal pessary has potent spermicidal action on human sperm in vitro and in vivo. When applied in the vagina before mating, it prevented rabbits from becoming pregnant.

Chiroptical determination of the enantiomeric identity of the cinchona alkaloids: quinine, quinidine, cinchonine, and cinchonidine

The optical activity induced in tris[thenoyltrifluoroacetone]Eu[Ill] upon association with various cinchona alkaloids [cinchonine, cinchonidine, quinine, and quinidine] has been studied through investigations of the circularly polarized luminescence [CPL] spectra induced in the Eu[Ill] luminescence bands. It was found that the signs of the CPL induced in the various spectral transitions of Eu [ttfa] [3] could be correlated with the identity of the complexing alkaloid. In particular, a correlation was found between the sign of the induced optical activity and the defining absolute configuration at the carbinol group of these alkaloids. This relation can be used as a viable test for identification purposes, since the performance of the entire procedure can be completed in a matter of minutes