SPERMICIDAL ACTIVITY OF AN ANTIFUNGAL SAPONIN OBTAINED FROM THE TROPICAL HERB MOLLUGO-PENTAPHYLLA

The ethyl acetate fraction of Mollugo pentaphylla, a tropical herb, co ntains an antifungal saponin (mollugogenol-A). We report here the sper micidal effects of this saponin. Washed sperm (>100 x 10(6) with > 50% motility) from normal volunteers were incubated with varying concentr ations (0-300 mug/ml) of mollugogenol-A at 30-degrees-C. Sperm motilit y, velocity and viability were assessed at 0, 30, 60 minutes both manu ally and by using computer assisted semen analysis (CASA). Samples col lected at 0 and 60 minutes were evaluated for membrane lipid peroxidat ion, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and transmission electron mic roscopy. A dose- and time-dependent effect of this saponin on sperm mo tion and viability was observed. The maximal spermicidal effect (4-5 f old decrease in motility and viability) was observed with 300 mug/ml d ose of saponin. A three-fold increase in sperm membrane lipid peroxida tion with corresponding inhibition of SOD activity were observed after 60 minutes incubation with this spermicidal agent. Transmission elect ron microscopy of saponin-treated samples revealed significant damage to the sperm membrane in both head and tail regions, and the acrosomal membranes were notably swollen and disrupted. These results indicate that this natural saponin has a potential spermicidal effect besides i ts known antifungal activity. The likely mechanism of its action invol ves sperm membrane damage by increased lipid peroxidation.