Possible hazards of oral contraceptive use

The Potential of Jatropha variegata Fruits as a Natural Contraceptive: Antifertility Activity and Phytochemical Analysis

Background

Jatropha variegata (family, Euphorbiaceae) is native to Yemen, where it is commonly known as the Ebki shrub. The fruits of the plant are traditionally ingested by local women as a natural method of contraception. This study was undertaken to investigate the phytochemical content of the methanol extract of J. variegata fruits and to evaluate its antifertility potential.

Methods

Isolation of the chemical constituents was performed by chromatographic techniques, and the chemical structures of these compounds were identified by spectroscopy. The antifertility activity of the methanol extract was assessed in two experimental rat models to explore both the anti-implantation and the estrogenic/antiestrogenic activities in females. In these models, the number of successful implants, the size of litter, and body/ovary weights were all recorded. The development of ovarian follicles was also monitored via histological staining.

Results

Phytochemical work on the fruit extract of J. variegata led to the isolation of two oils (JF1 and JF2) and methyl elaidate. GC-MS analysis of the JF1 oil revealed that the major chemical constituents were fatty acid esters (43.77%), hydrocarbon alkanes (20.65%), and terpenoids (4.65%), while terpenoids (28.8%), fatty acids and their esters, (29.47%), and phytosterol (10.49%) were the major components found in the JF2 oil. The methanol extract of J. variegata fruit exhibited 50% and 93% abortifacient activity at 150 and 300 mg/kg doses, respectively. The extract also showed significant estrogenic activity as evidenced by the increase in rat ovary weight at a dose of 300 mg/kg compared to the control group. Histological analyses further confirmed this estrogenic activity.

Conclusions

J. variegata fruits possess an antifertility activity that appeared to result from its antiembryo implantation potential and from its estrogenic activity. The bioactive constituents involved in these activities may need to be further explored and exploited in the pursuit of newer contraceptives.

A review on potentiality of medicinal plants as the source of new contraceptive principles

Recently, a review has already been made on the synthetic contraceptive agents whereas this review embraces the natural contraceptives upto year 2001 with 355 references. It also includes the isolation of their active principles, methods of analysis of active ingredients through TLC, HPLC, their side effects and pharmacological action.

Oral contraceptive and Platelet lipid biosynthesis in female rats: dose-response relationship

Female rats were treated with different doses of an oral contraceptive (ethinyl estradiol + lynestrenol) and lipid biosynthesis was studied in blood platelets by acetate incorporation into different fractions separated by thin layer chromatography. A marked increase in lipid biosynthesis was observed, especially in the sterol fractions (cholesterol and lanosterol-dihydrolanosterol). It was dose-dependent, observed after a lag-phase, maximal in 3 days and normalized in 8 days. Thus, the oral contraceptive studied here appears to modify platelet lipid biosynthesis for the entire life of the platelets.

Clinical evaluation of long-term treatment with levo-norgestrel and testosterone enanthate in normal men

Thirteen healthy men (25-35 years) with proven fertility were scheduled for long-term treatment (> 12 months) with levo-norgestrel (500 micrograms daily) and testosterone enanthate (200 mg monthly). The volunteers were regularly investigated prior to, during and after treatment. Seven volunteers withdrew from medication after 1 to 12 months of treatment; three due to psychological side effects, one because of stiffness of a finger joint, two for personal reasons and one for unspecified reasons. Sperm counts were significantly decreased during treatment and in 7 volunteers the sperm counts were < 5 x 10(6)/ml. However, two of these volunteers exhibited a breakthrough in sperm counts after 12 and 13 months of a 16-month treatment period. Serum testosterone, serum LH and serum FSH were significantly decreased during treatment, but returned, as did sperm counts, to normal levels after withdrawal of treatment. No rebound effect was seen. Potency and libido remained unchanged. No toxicological side effects were observed and finally no consistent changes were seen in blood coagulation parameters.

Oral levo-norgestrel - testosterone effects on spermatogenesis, hormone levels, coagulation factors and lipoproteins in normal men

Four healthy men volunteered to be treated for eight to nine months with daily oral levo-norgestrel (250 micrograms) and oral testosterone (200-600 mg) as a possible contraceptive. This was followed by a recovery phase of 5-10 months. The oral steroid combination significantly decreased sperm count in 3 of 4 subjects, and significantly increased abnormal spermatozoa, serum LH was decreased during treatment but serum FSH remained constant, except for one volunteer. Serum testosterone was decreased except for 2 daily peaks associated with the oral testosterone. During the recovery period, sperm counts and morphology, serum testosterone and serum LH returned to normal, whereas serum FSH levels were increased. Platelet aggregability induced by ADP, increased in 3 volunteers during treatment as did fibrinolytic activity and fibrinolytic capacity (2 of 3 subjects). There was a reduction in the hepatic triglyceride lipase activity but no change was seen in serum triglycerides, serum cholesterol, serum LDL, serum HDL, peripheral lipoprotein lipase activity and the intravenous fat tolerance test. No other toxicological side effects were seen.