Bitter melon seed extracts shown to have male anti-fertility effects
Herbal preparations have been used since antiquity to reduce
female fertility. Though male anti-fertility preparations are
less common, modern research has demonstrated antispermatogenic
activities of extracts from at least seven plants. In this study,
various extracts (ether, benzene and alcohol) of M. charantia
seeds were administered orally and intraperitoneally to male rats
for 35 days. All three extracts demonstrated antispermatogenic
activity, with the ethanol extract being the most potent. Antispermatogenic
activity was assessed using measurements of the weight of the
testes and other measures. These tests showed indirect evidence
of reduced availability of pituitary gonadotrophs necessary for
spermatogenesis. With intraperitoneal administration, increased
cholesterol and Sudanophilic lipid levels denoted inhibited steroidogenesis,
further evidence of reduced availability of gonadotrophs. Bitter
melon is a popular vegetable in Chinese cuisine, and its leaves
possess blood sugar lowering effect
Naseem M, Patil S, Patil S,
et al. Antispermatogenic and androgenic activities of Momordica
charantia (Karela) in albino rats. J Ethnopharmacology
1998; 61: 9-16. |
