Previous work has shown that Andrographis paniculata leaf, when fed to male albino rats, causes the arrest of spermatogenesis. The present study was undertaken to investigate whether andrographolide, one of the major constituents of this plant, is responsible for such an effect. The compound was administered to 3-month-old male Wistar albino rats at two dose levels, for 48 days. Fertility tests, analysis of the counts, motility and abnormalities of the cauda epididymidal spermatozoa, and histopathological-evaluation of the testis were carried out. The results showed that sperm counts decreased, the spermatozoa were not motile, and several of them possessed abnormalities. The seminiferous epithelium was-thoroughly disrupted and in the seminiferous tubules, fully differentiated spermatozoa were far too limited; cells in the divisional stages were prevalent; multinucleate giant cells were abundant and Leydig cells appeared intact. It is inferred that andrographolide could affect spermatogenesis by preventing cytokinesis of the dividing spermatogenic cell lines. The multinucleate giant cells are comparable to the symplasts generated by cytochalasin-D and ursolic acid due to action at stages V-VII of the spermatogenic cycle. Sertoli cell damage and spermatotoxic effects are also apparent. Thus, the study points to a male reproductive toxic effect of this compound when used as a therapeutic; the study also confirms the possible prospective use of andrographolide in male contraception.

Copyright 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.