Abstract

ANTIFERTILITY ACTIVITIES OF THE RAPHANUS SATIVUS: A PRECLINICAL STUDY

Bharat Mishra*, David Banji and Janice Jacson M.

Abstract

Introduction- The present study was carried out to evaluate the antifertility activity of Raphanus sativus on male Wistar albino rats. The effect on sperm count, sperm motility, abnormalities in sperm, weight of testis and epididymis was studied using the fresh juice of Raphanus sativus route. Methods- The fresh juice of Raphanus sativus(FJRS) was introduced by oral route at various doses (1ml/100gm, 2ml/100gm, 5ml/100gm) to evaluate the antifertility activity. Normal Saline (1ml/100gm) was used as control agent. Depending on the methods used, the outcome measures were sperm count(millions/ml ±SEM ), sperm motility(%±SEM) weight of testis and epidydimis (mg) and total percent sperm abnormalities. The data was analysed using oneway ANOVA followed by Student T test. Results- Raphanus sativus had significantly decreased the sperm count and sperm motility. A decrease in individual weight of testis and epidydimis was found. The percent sperm abnormalities was found to be increased compared to the control which also suggests the antifertility effect of Raphanus sativus. It also has dose dependent anti fertility effects and the results are expressed as mean ± SEM. Conclusions- The present study have shown that Raphanus sativus has an antifertility property.The encouraging results obtained from this plant, may be utilized as an antifertility agent. Further studies on isolation of specific active phytoconstituents and a search into its possible mechanism of action is needed.

Keywords: Antifertility; Raphanus sativus; Testis; Epidydimis; Sperm motility.