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Evaluation of Spermicidal Activity of Mi-Saponin A

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Abstract

The seed extracts of Madhuca latifolia were reported to have spermicidal activity. The current investigation identified the spermicidal component of the extracts and evaluated its spermicidal potential in vitro. As characterized by infrared, mass, and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectral analyses, Mi-saponin A (MSA) was found to be the most potent component among a mixture of saponins. The mean effective concentrations of MSA that induced irreversible immobilization were 320 μg/mL for rat and 500 μg/mL for human sperm, as against the respective concentrations of 350 and 550 μg/mL of nonoxynol 9 (N-9). The mode of spermicidal action was evaluated by a battery of tests including (a) double fluoroprobe staining for sperm viability, (b) hypoosmotic swelling test and, assays for 5’ nucleotidase and acrosin for physiological integrity of sperm plasma membrane, (c) scanning and transmission electron microscopy for sperm membrane ultrastructure, and (d) plasma membrane lipid peroxidation (LPO). The observations, taken together, were interpreted to mean that the spermicidal effect of MSA involved increased membrane LPO leading to structural and functional disintegration of sperm plasma membrane and acrosomal vesicle. A comparative in vitro cytotoxicity study in human vaginal keratocyte (Vk2/E6E7) and endocervical (End/E6E7) cell lines demonstrated that the 50% cell cytotoxicity (CC50) values, and consequently the safety indices, for MSA were ≥ 8-fold higher as compared to those of N-9. In conclusion, MSA is a potent spermicidal molecule that may be explored further for its suitability as an effective component of vaginal contraceptive.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Reproductive Biology, Indian Institute of Chemical Biology (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research), 700032, Jadavpur, Kolkata, India

    P. Saha MSc, D. Pal MSc & S. N. Kabir PhD

  2. Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Indian Institute of Chemical Biology (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research), Kolkata, India

    S. Majumdar MTech & B. C. Pal PhD

Authors
  1. P. Saha MSc
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  2. S. Majumdar MTech
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  3. D. Pal MSc
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  4. B. C. Pal PhD
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  5. S. N. Kabir PhD
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Correspondence to S. N. Kabir PhD.

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Saha, P., Majumdar, S., Pal, D. et al. Evaluation of Spermicidal Activity of Mi-Saponin A. Reprod. Sci. 17, 454–464 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1177/1933719110361378

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