Aphrodisiac and spermatogenic potential of alkaloidal fraction of Hygrophila spinosa T. Ander in rats.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Seeds of Hygrophila spinosa T. Ander (Acanthaceae) are traditionally used as aphrodisiac and spermatogenic in Indian System of medicine.

Aim Of The Study: Preliminary phytochemical screening of plant revealed the presence of alkaloids in seeds. As, alkaloidal fractions of several plants showed aphrodisiac and spermatogenic potential, set of experiments were designed to assess alkaloid enriched fraction of seeds of the plant for spermatogenic and aphrodisiac activity using in vitro and in vivo methods.

Materials And Methods: Alkaloid enriched fraction was prepared and assessed for spermatogenic activity using isolated rat Leydig cells in vitro. The fraction was further evaluated in vivo for spermatogenic and aphrodisiac potential using rat as an experimental animal. Increase in weight of reproductive organs, biochemical evaluation of selected parameters, histological studies of testes and sexual behavioral studies were selected as evaluation parameters for in vivo studies.

Results: Isolated rat Leydig cells treated with the fraction showed increased amount of testosterone present in culture media (14.7µg/ml) as compared to that of control (0.8µg/ml). Results of in vivo studies showed increase in serum testosterone level in treated animals (50mg/kg) by (115%), increase in weight of testes (8.0%) as compared to control. Marked improvement in testis histo-architecture of rats evident preliminarily by observing overcrowding of spermatozoa in enlarged lumen of seminiferous tubules in animals treated with testosterone and test fraction. Sertoli cells in treated animals were enlarged with highly granulated cytoplasm. Leydig cells also showed enlarged nucleus and darkly stained cytoplasm as compared to control. Mounting behavior of test animals improved, while latency period was decreased, as observed in behavioral studies.

Conclusion: The set studies confirmed the ability of the fraction to stimulate Leydig cells and increased serum testosterone level. Increased testosterone level might be responsible for higher number of spermatozoa in testicular lumen as seen in testicular histology as well as increased libido as observed in behavioral studies.