Abstract

ROLE OF CATHARANTHUS ROSEUS LINN. (NAYANTARA) ON SPERM COUNT AND SERUM TESTOSTERONE LEVEL OF ADULT MALE ALBINO RAT

Kartik Shaw, Krishna Nandi, Ramjyoti Ganguly and Chandan Roy*

Abstract

Male reproductive system is a multifaceted process that involves the testes, epididymis, accessory glands and associated hormones. Testes perform two highly organized and indicative events, called spermatogenesis and steroidogenesis, which are vital for the perpetuation of life. On the other hand, Catharanthus roseus (CR) Linn. (Nayantara), Apocynaceae family, has an effect on blood sugar. It reduces blood sugar, in rural areas people often take some leaves of this ornamental plant and chew it. This project shows that long term use of the leaves of Nayantara leaf extract causes reduction in epididymal sperm count and lowering of serum testosterone. There were two set of animals having 3 subsets. Main two sets were before treatment group and other was after treatment group. The subsets were normal group, low dose group and high dose group. Leaves were collected and water extract was made and then administered orally to the animals daily for 30 days. After 30 days of treatment with extract, animals were sacrificed and the parameters were checked. In this study, it has been seen that treatment with nayantara leaf extract significantly decreased the epididymal sperm count and serum testosterone level respectively.

Keywords: Catharanthus roseus Linn., Nayantara, Apocynaceae, testosterone, epididymal sperm count.