Protective effect of ethanolic extract of Hygrophila auriculata seeds in cyproterone acetate-induced sexual dysfunction in male albino rats.

Male infertility has become a global concern. Different conventional medicines with some side effects generally are used for the management of male infertility. To search out the potent aphrodisiac agent without side effect, an approach has been taken to prevent the cyproterone acetate (CPA)-treated male infertility by ethanolic extract of seed of Hygrophila auriculata in albino rat. CPA is used for the treatment of prostate cancer. It has anti-androgenic properties and suppresses the spermatogenesis process. Count, motility and viability of spermatozoa, number of hypo-osmotic tail swelled spermatozoa and serum testosterone level were significantly decreased in CPA-treated rat. CPA also caused significant diminution of activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, peroxidase and elevation of malondialdehyde and conjugated dienes levels. All parameters were significantly restored after the treatment of H. auriculata extract to the CPA-treated rats. Histological study revealed significant rectification of seminiferous tubular diameter and spermatogenic cells in extract-treated group. Body weight, organo-somatic indices, serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase and serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase activities were significantly recovered towards control in H. auriculata-treated group. It is concluded that ethanolic extract of H. auriculata has androgenic and antioxidant properties that can improve male infertility without metabolic toxicity.