Relationship of anti-fertility effects of Andrographis paniculata and hormonal assay in female rats

Aims: This study was aimed to find out anti-fertility effects of Andrographis paniculata (AP) plant. Study design Methodology: A prospective case control animal study with 85 female and 30 male rats (Total 115 rats) was done in the Department of Pharmacology of Dhaka Medical College and Bangladesh Medical College, Dhaka, Bangladesh from July 2002 to December 2003. The total 85 female rats were grouped into case study or exposure group (N=60 female rats) exposed to water extract of AP control or non exposure group (N=25 female rats, 30 male rats also considered as control group) Exposure group (water extract) of female were again subdivided in 3 groups according to duration of (A.P) exposure (N=20 in each group) e.g. 4 weeks, 6 weeks and 8 weeks. Mating schedules were done after the completion of scheduled duration of exposure with A.P (Dose was 1 gm/kg). Results: In group I percentage of infertility was 33.33% in 4 weeks exposure, 50% in 6 weeks exposure 100% in 8 weeks exposure respectively. In control group (Group II) percentage of infertility was 0%. In case study group of female rats the value of FSH was 1.20 1U/L (4 weeks), 1.12 1U/L (6 weeks), 1.00 1U/L (8 weeks), LH 0.78 1U/L (4 weeks), 0.70 1U/L (6 weeks), 0.64 1U/L (8 weeks), Estrogen 45.30 pg/ml (4 weeks), 44.80 pg/ml (6 weeks), 44.20 pg/ml (8 weeks) and Progesterone 4.84 nmol/L (4 weeks), 4.72 nmol/L (6 weeks) and 3.80 nmol/L (8 weeks). In non exposure group the value of FSH was 1.23 1U/L, LH 0.80 1U/L, Estrogen 47.05 pg/L and Progesterone 5.50 nmol/L. In exposure group all the values were lesser than the normal hormonal value. Conclusion: This study suggests that due to lower level of hormone, female rats have promising percentage of infertility with AP. Further study is needed with rat as well as clinical trial with human being.