ASSESSMENT OF REPRODUCTIVE TOXICITY OF CONCOCTION OF ANDROGRAPHIS PANICULATA IN MALE WISTAR ALBINO RATS

Objective: To assess the reproductive toxicity of concoction of Andrographis paniculata in male Wistar albino rats. Methods: 18 male Wistar albino rats were divided into 3 groups with 6 animals in each group. Group 1 served as control and received distilled water. Group 2 and 3 received 0.5 ml of a concoction of Andrographis paniculata and Nilavembu kudineer (a concoction of 9 herbs) respectively for 30 days. Serum testosterone levels were measured at the baseline and at the end of the study. Animals were sacrificed at the end of the study, and histopathological examination of testes and sperm analysis were carried out. Results: There were no significant changes in the body weight and general behavior of the animals within the groups and between the groups. The differences noted in mean sperm count, as well as the qualitative characteristics such as progressive & non-progressive sperms and percentage of immotile sperms among the 3 groups, were not significant. Histopathology of testes did not show any difference between the control and treated groups. Similarly, serum testosterone levels also did not show significant changes. Conclusion: This study shows that concoction of Andrographis paniculata and Nilavembu kudineer in male Wistar albino rats, administered for 30 days, did not produce any significant adverse reproductive effects in terms of sperm count, sperm quality and testicular histology.