In vitro Impact Assessment of Aqueous Extract of Sida cordifolia Linn. Upon Rat Spermatozoa Parameters

Sida cordifolia Linn. finds frequent mention in Ayurvedic System of Medicine for many therapeutic
properties including beneficial effect upon male reproductive processes. Aim of present in vitro study
was to evaluate impact of aqueous extract of Sida cordifolia roots on rat spermatozoa in terms of
count, motility & morphology and through HOS study following standard assessment methods to
assess any likely reproductive toxicity, spermicidal action, lethality or abnormalities in animal
experimentation. Sexually mature (18-22 weeks old) male Wister rats weighing 180 to 260 gm were
used. Sperms were collected from cauda epididymis of rat testes and sperm suspension was
prepared by mixing them with 2 ml of 5% Sucrose at 37°C, dividing into 4 samples – control (A) and 3
drug treated samples (B, C & D) containing 10, 20 or 30 mg/ml of aqueous extract of Sida cordifolia.
The various sperm parameters were observed under Olympus CX41 microscope. Sperm
concentration, Progressive and Non-Progressive motility were calculated using the Neubauer
Chamber. The viability and morphology of sperm suspensions were assessed using Eosin Y and
Nigrosin staining method using 400 X magnification under Phase contrast microscope. Hypo-osmotic
swelling (HOS) test was used to evaluate the functional integrity of plasma membrane. Treatment with
aqueous extract of Sida cordifolia resulted in no significant adverse impact upon sperm count up to 30
mg/ml dose, suggesting no noticeable spermicidal effect. Progressive motility increased marginally
due to intervention of Sida cordifolia in a concentration-dependent manner from 40.00±1.07 in Sample
A to 43.50± 2.05 in Sample D. Similarly, percentage of normal sperms and their viability exhibited
steady enhancements with increasing concentrations of research drug. The HOS test indicated no
adverse structural changes in plasma membrane integrity of sperms up to 30mg/ml level. Thus, in
vitro assessment of sperm motility, morphology and viability due to treatment with Sida cordifolia
aqueous extract indicated no spermicidal or toxic effect and indicated small but significant
enhancement in various parameters which was concentration-dependent.