“antitesticular Activity of Hydro-methanol Extract of Cuminum Cyminum in Adult Rat: a Dose Dependent Study”

Objective: The present study was to evaluate the dose-dependent effects of Cuminum cyminum (C. cyminum) on testicular gametogenic and androgenic activities in adult rat. Methods: The hydro-methanolic extract was administered orally at the dose of 30mg, 60mg and 120mg/100g body weight of rats for 28 days. The effects of the treatment on reproductive organs and testicular steroidogenesis were investigated. Toxicity studies were also carried out. Results: Treatment with this extract resulted in significant reduction in the weights of relative sex organs. A significant decrease in the androgenic key enzyme activities, plasma testosterone level, seminal fructose level, along with an increase in the level of testicular cholesterol in respect to the control was observed. Values of spermatological parameters and the activities of anti oxidative enzymes were reduced significantly, whereas the end products of lipid peroxidation in testis, epididymis and sperm pellet were significantly increased in treated groups. After the extract treatment, the count of different generations of germ cells at the stage VII of the spermatogenic cycle and Seminiferous Tubular Diameter (STD) were decreased significantly. Activities of Glutamate Oxaloacetate Transaminase (GOT) and Glutamate Pyruvate Transaminase (GPT) in liver and kidney tissue were not altered significantly from the control. The said effects were exhibited in a dose dependent fashion, but all these effects were more significant at the dose of 60 mg/100g body weight. Conclusion: It may be concluded that 60 mg dose of the hydro-methanol extract showed a promising contraceptive activity by the diminution in testicular gametogenesis and androgenesis without producing any toxicity.