Summary
Rhynchosia volubilis Lour has been a major drug in a folk prescription for contraception in China, whereas its mechanism remains unknown. Its antifertility effects on male mice and antimicrobial activities on sexually transmitted infection (STI) pathogens were previously reported. This study was undertaken to develop the n-Butanol extract of Rhynchosia volubilis Lour (BERVL) as a spermicidal agent with STI prevention. The spermicidal activities of BERVL with different doses were assessed using selected high-motile sperms of normal human semen samples, and their inhibitory effects on Lactobacillus acidophilus were determined. The mechanism of the spermicidal activity was explored by aqueous Eosin Y and Hoechst 33342/PI staining. The results showed spermicidal activities and inhibitory effects of BERVL on Lactobacillus acidophilus were dose-dependent. Dose of 90 mg/mL BERVL terminated all progressive sperm motility within 2 min, and had slight inhibitory effect on Lactobacillus acidophilus, suggesting it was an effective and safe dose for contraception use. About 80% sperms exposed to BERVL displayed changes consistent with high permeability of head membrane. It is concluded that BERVL as spermicide has advantages over N-9 with strong ability to instantaneously kill human sperm and possesses light inhibitory effect on Lactobacillus acidophilus.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Sitruk-Ware R, Nath A, Mishell DR Jr. Contraception technology: past, present and future. Contraception, 2013, 7(3):319–330
Xu P, Chen Z, Xu L, et al. Spermicidal effect of Jieze No. 1 in combination with nonoxynol-9 in vitro. 1 in combination with nonoxynol-9 in vitro. J Huazhong Univ Sci Technol Med Sci, 2005, 25(2):225–228
Lakshmi V, Saxena A, Mishra SK, et al. Spermicidal activity of bivittoside D from Bohadschia vitiensis. Arch Med Res, 2008, 39(7):631–638
Lue YH, SinhaHikim AP, Wang C, et al. Triptolide: A potential male contraceptive. J Androl, 1998, 19(4): 479–486
Qiu Y, Wang LG, Jia YF, et al. Effects of the crude extract of Polygala tenuifolia Willd on human sperm in vitro. J Zhejiang Univ Sci B, 2011, 12(6):448–454
Ye XH, Lu Rui, Huang WG. Herbal textual research of the Rhynchosia volubilis Lour. J Base Chin Herb Drug (Chinese), 1999, 4(3):54
Wang JG, Xiong CL, Wang SY, et al. Comparison of the anti-fertility effects of four extracts from the roots of Rhynchosia volubilis Lour. Zhonghua Nan Ke Xue (Chinese), 2007, 13(10):871–875
Xu HM, Hu L, Xiong CL. The bacteriostatic test of Rhynchosla volubilis Lour. Nat Prod Res Dev (Chinese), 2006, 18(3):435–437
Loncar D. Analysis of the bacteria vaginosis predictive significant in the diagnosis of inflammatory processes in female pelvic minor. Arch Biol Sci, 2012, 64(2):739–743
Heng YX, Wan HT, Cui XW, et al. Antagonistic potential against pathogenic microorganisms and hydrogen peroxide production of indigenous Lactobacilli isolated from vagina of Chinese pregnant women. Biomed Environ Sci, 2008, 21(5):365–371
World Health Organization. WHO Laboratory manual for the examination of human semen, 5th ed. Geneva: Word Health Organization Press, 2010
Li HG, Ding XF, Liao AH, et al. Expression of CatSper family transcripts in the mouse testis during post-natal development and human ejaculated spermatozoa: relationship to sperm motility. Mol Hum Reprod, 2007, 13(5):299–306
Moustafa MH, Sharma RK, Thornton J, et al. Relationship between ROS production, apoptosis and DNA denaturation in spermatozoa from patients examined for infertility. Hum Reprod, 2004, 19(1):129–138
McKeague AL, Wilson DJ, Nelson J. Staurosporine-induced apoptosis and hydrogen peroxide-induced necrosis in two human breast cell lines. Br J Cancer, 2003, 88(1):125–131
Pascual LM, Daniele MB, Pájaro C, et al. Lactobacillus species isolated from the vagina: identification, hydrogen peroxide production and nonoxynol-9 resistance. Contraception, 2006, 73(1):78–81
Lai GH, Qiu XZ, Ouyang J. Effect of oxidative stress on myoblast C2C12 proliferation and apoptosis. J Clin Rehab Tissue Engine Res (Chinese), 2006, 2(3):278–281
Zaïri A, Tangy F, Hani K. Dermaseptin S4 derivative K4K20S4: a potential candidate for development of a new microbicide contraceptive agent—an in vitro study. Eur J Contracept Reprod Health Care, 2013, 18(2):79–87
Antonio MA, Hawes SE, Hillier SL. The identification of vaginal Lactobacillus species and the demographic and microbiologic characteristics of women colonized by these species. J Infect Dis, 1999, 180(6):1950–1956
Lohiya NK, Kothari LK, Manivannan B, et al. Human sperm immobilization effect of Carica papaya seed extracts: an in vitro study. Asian J Androl, 2000, 2(2): 103–109
Souad K, Ali S, Mounir A, et al. Spermicidal activity of extract from Cestrum parqui. Contraception, 2007, 75(2): 152–156
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
This project was supported by Hubei Province Population and Family Planning Commission Funding of China (No. Js2003.01).
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Guan, Ht., Fang, F., Xiong, Z. et al. n-Butanol extract of Rhynchosia volubilis Lour: A potent spermicidal agent In Vitro . J. Huazhong Univ. Sci. Technol. [Med. Sci.] 34, 398–402 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11596-014-1290-4
Received:
Revised:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11596-014-1290-4