Abstract

SAFETY EVALUATION OF NANOTECHNOLOGY BASED BIOMEDICINE- RISUG-M, A MALE CONTRACEPTIVE AGENT IN RATS

Rama Kant Singh*, Falgun Wanganuji Bansode and Anil Kumar Meena

Abstract

The non-hormonal contraceptive agent, RISUG-M (SMA-Fe3O4-Cu- DMSO), consists of a co-polymer styrene maleic anhydride (SMA), magnetic particles: iron oxide (8-12%), electrically conductive particles: copper (3-8%) dissolved in 99% pure dimethylsulphoxide (DMSO). Present study was conducted to assess the toxic effects of the RISUG-M in male Charles Foster rats. Healthy adult rats were randomly divided into two groups (Gr.) consisting 10 animals each. Gr. I. rats were injected with vehicle only (DMSO) in vas deferens served as Control. Rats in G.II were injected with RISUG-M in the vas deferens bilaterally and observed for a period of 14 days. On day 15 of autopsy, blood samples were collected for haematology and biochemical analysis, and body organs (viz. brain, heart, liver, lungs, kidney, adrenal, spleen and gonads) were dissected out, weighed and fixed in formalin for histopathology. Results showed no any significant changes in body weights, organ weights, food and water consumption, hematology, biochemistry of marker enzymes and histopathology of vital organs in RISUG-M treated as compared to control rats. There were no any toxic effects/ mortality observed during entire treatment period. From the toxicity point of view this newly developed injectible contraceptive does not have any adverse effects during 14 days toxicity study.

Keywords: RISUG-M, Male Contraceptive Agent, Toxicity Profile.