Effect of Some Ayurvedic Vajikaran Rasayana Herbs on Heat Induced Testicular Damage in Male Albino Rats

Mayank Thakur, Doctor H.S. Gour University, Sagar (M.P.)
Renate Loeppert, University for Natural and Applied Life Sciences
Werner Praznik, University for Natural and Applied Life Sciences
V K. Dixit, Doctor H.S. Gour University, Sagar (M.P.)

Abstract

Modern society is phased with a number of environmental and social stressors which may lead to one form of sexual dysfunction or the other. Global warming and exposure to heat is one such phenomenon. A study was conducted to determine the testicular damage in male rats following exposure to high temperatures and the preventive effect of some of Ayurvedic herbs known for their sexual health benefits (Vajikaran) against heat induced testicular damage. Scrotal sacs of male rats were subjected to a 15 min exposure by dipping in water bath maintained at 40± 2 deg C daily for 14 days. The histo-architecture and the overall spermatogenesis profile was considerably prevented in rats treated with lyophilized aqueous extracts of Asparagus racemosus Willd., Chlorophytum borivilianum Sant. F., Curculigo orchioides Gaertn., Dactylorhiza hatagirea (D. Don) Soo and Orchis latifolia Linn.(200 mg/Kg b. w.) as compared to control group animals which were administered vehicle only. The differently treated groups were also subjected to evaluation of sexual behavior. The treatment with extracts results in significant amelioration of sexual behavior and the mount, intromission and ejaculatory latencies were significantly reduced while the frequencies for the same parameter were significantly restored in rats exposed to heat and treated with extracts as compared to heat exposed control group alone. Epididymal sperm count was reduced significantly in heat treated control group animals, whereas the extracts significantly prevented the decrease in sperm count in rats as compared to positive control group, exposed to heat. The results are therefore clear indication of the possible role of these herbs in protecting the genital organs against physical stresses viz. heat.

Submitted: December 5, 2007 · Accepted: April 2, 2008 · Published: May 5, 2008

Recommended Citation

Thakur, Mayank; Loeppert, Renate; Praznik, Werner; and Dixit, V K. (2008) "Effect of Some Ayurvedic Vajikaran Rasayana Herbs on Heat Induced Testicular Damage in Male Albino Rats," Journal of Complementary and Integrative Medicine: Vol. 5 : Iss. 1, Article 5.
DOI: 10.2202/1553-3840.1112
Available at: http://www.bepress.com/jcim/vol5/iss1/5

 
 
 
 

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