• Toxicological Research
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.393-396
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• 2002

This study was carried out to evaluate the ostrogenic/antiandrogenic activity of Puerariae Radix in Sprague-Dawley rats. It has known that diverse phytoestrogen were included in some Puerariae Radix, especially in Pueraria mirifica. The Uterotrophic assay and Hershberger assay were performed to evaluate the ostogenic/antiandrogenic activity of various Puerariae Radix (Pueraria thunbergiana, Pueraria mirifica and Butea superba). In Uterotrophic assay, the extracts of Puerariae Radix were administered subcutaneously to immature female SD rats from 19 to 21 days of age. The wet uterus and vaginal weighs significantly increased in the group only treated with extracts of Pueraria mirifica. But, in Hersh-berger assay, all extracts of Puerariae Radix did not show any effects in the castrated rats. These results suggest that Pueraria mirifica has not undrogenic/antiandrogenic effect but potent estrogenic effect. It is possible that components of Pueraria mirifica may act as endocrine disruptor in human body.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.3 no.3
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• pp.133-140
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• 2003

Petroleum ether, chloroform and ethanol extracts of the seeds of Melia azedarach Linn. administered orally to male rats at the dose level of 25 mg/100 g body weight for 48 days showed antispermatogenic activity, as the number of spermatocytes, spermatids and spermatozoa was decreased. The total cholesterol content was increased while protein and glycogen contents were decreased. The acid phosphatase content was also decreased while that of alkaline phosphatase increased. At the same time the weight of caput and cauda epididymis, prostate gland, seminal vesicle and Levator Ani muscle was decreased indicating its antiandrogenic property. Of the three extracts, the petroleum ether extract was more potent in its antispermatogenic and antiandrogenic activities and did not produce any sings of toxicity upto a dose of 25 mg/100 g body weight oral administration. After subjecting it to preliminary phytochemical screening the petroleum ether extract showed positive tests for steroids and saponins.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.130-137
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• 2022

This study was conducted to characterise phytochemicals and to explore the biological activities of Vitex negundo leaves. The washed, course powder of V. negundo leaves were extracted with different solvents of increasing polarity. All the extracts were characterized and biological activities were compared. The results revealed that the ethanolic and cold water extracts showed the presence of all phytochemicals studied except protein compared to other extracts. Further, the quantitative estimation of phytochemicals showed that the ethanolic extract had highest yield and maximum amount of total polyphenols, flavonoids, and alkaloids with the least amount of tannins compared to other extracts studied. Furthermore, the highest total polyphenol content corresponds with the potent biological activities. Indeed, in vitro antioxidant and antisteroidogenic activities were highest in the ethanolic extract than others. To conclude, the present study is the first to report the characterization and antiandrogenic property of V. negundo leaf extracts. The ethanolic extract of V. negundo leaves can be used as an antioxidant and antiandrogenic agent. Hence, it can be considered for the treatment of hyperandrogenic conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome, etc.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.86-95
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• 2006

The ethanol extract of the Crotalaria juncea seeds, which showed promising antispermatogenic and antiandrogenic activities in albino mice, was taken up further for the isolation of the active fractions present in it. Two fractions that were obtained from thin layer chromatography were subjected for testing to know their antispermatogenic and antiandrogenic activities. After preliminary trials the fraction I showed maximum antifertility activity at the dose level of 200 mg/kg body weight when administered orally to the rats for 50 days. The fraction I was found to affect spermatogenesis as well as the endocrine functions of the testis as indicated by gravimetric, histopathological and biochemical changes. Further this fraction has caused degenerative changes in the seminiferous tubules and Leydig cells of the testis. The accessory reproductive organs like epididymis, seminal vesicles, vas deferens, prostrate, Cowper's gland and Levator Ani muscle showed significant malfunction. Cauda epididymal sperm count and sperm motility were reduced significantly. The treatment has also resulted in increase in the cholesterol level and alkaline phosphatase activity, and decrease in protein, glycogen, sialic acid contents and acid phosphatase activity in testis. It is noteworthy that RIA studies have shown significant reduction in serum FSH, LH and testosterone. Scanning electron microscopic observations revealed abnormalities in sperm structure.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.349-357
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• 2016

The present research was chiefly designed to determine the effect of the treatment of estrogenic agonist, estradiol benzoate (EB), or antiandrogenic compound, flutamide (Flu), at the weaning age on the expression of connexin (Cx) isoforms in the caudal epididymis of adult male rat. Animals were subcutaneously administrated with a single shot of either EB at a low-dose ($0.015{\mu}g$ of EB/kg body weight (BW)) or a high-dose ($1.5{\mu}g$ of EB/kg BW) or Flu at a low-dose ($500{\mu}g$ of EB/kg BW) or a high-dose (5 mg of EB/kg BW). Expressional changes of Cx isoforms in the adult caudal epididymis were examined by quantitative real-time PCR analysis. The treatment of a low-dose EB caused significant increases of Cx30.3, Cx31, Cx32, and Cx43 transcript levels but reduction of Cx31.1, Cx37, and Cx45 expression. Exposure to a high-dose EB resulted in very close responses observed in a low-dose EB treatment, except no significant expressional change of Cx37 and a significant induction of Cx40. Expression of all Cx isoforms, except Cx45, was significantly increased by a low-dose Flu treatment. Expressional increases of all Cx isoforms were detected by a high-dose Flu treatment. The current study demonstrates that a single exposure to estrogenic or antiandrogenic compound during the early postnatal developmental period is sufficient to disrupt normal expression of Cx isoforms in the adult caudal epididymis.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.175-178
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• 2005

Butyl $\rho$-hydroxybenzoic acid (butyl paraben, BP) is a homologous series of parabens and is widely used as a preservative in cosmetic and pharmaceutical products. The purpose of this study was to investigate the estrogenic/antiandrogenic activities of BP in animals. For that, we performed an uterotrophic assay and a Hershberger assay in rats. In uterotrophic assay, BP was administered subcutaneously to immature female SD rats (18 days old) for 3 consecutive days. The wet and dry uterus weights were significantly increased in the groups treated with BP in dose­dependent manner. In case of Hershberger assay, BP significantly reduced the weight of seminal vesicle of castrated rats. And other accessory organ/glands - prostate, Cowper's glands, bulbocavernosus muscle and glans penis were also slightly decreased. The results of this study suggested that BP showed estrogenic and anti-androgenic activities in vivo.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Toxicology Conference
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• 2005.05a
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• pp.107-107
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• 2005

• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
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• 2000.10a
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• pp.169.2-170
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• 2000

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Toxicology Conference
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• 2003.10b
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• pp.181-181
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• 2003

The aims of present study were to compare the effects of in utero exposure of several chemicals which have antiandrogenic characteristics on the development of reproductive organs and to investigate the specific mechanisms related to the abnormalities observed in the male reproductive system.(omitted)

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.339-349
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• 2009

An attempt has been made to assess whether the dose dependent effect of benzene extract of Ocimum sanctum leaves on the morphological changes in the cauda epididymal spermatozoa and sperm parameters in male albino rats. Scanning Electron Microscope observations illustrate the disturbance in plasma membrane as well as acrosomal membrane. Most of the sperms appear morphologically abnormal in the mid region of the tail; there is formation of balloon like cytoplasmic droplet. Sperm parametric study exhibits decrease in the total sperm count, sperm motility, forward velocity and increase in the percentage of abnormal sperms in dose dependent manner on treatment benzene extract of Ocimum sanctum leaves. The results suggest that the effects may have resulted from a general disturbance in the proteins and alteration in cauda epididymal milieu probably due to androgen deficiency consequent upon antiandrogenic property of Ocimum sanctum leaves.