An Experimental Evaluation of Shukrala Karma of Kakamachi (Solanum nigrum Linn) with Special Reference to Spermatogenic Activity

Abstract

Introduction: Infertility affects 8-12% of couples worldwide. Approximately 40-50% of infertility is due to male factor. Nearly 7% of all men exhibit suboptimal sperm parameters including low sperm count, poor sperm motility or abnormal morphology. Kakamachi (Solanum nigrum Linn) commonly known as ‘Black nightshade’, belonging to Solanaceae family, is a prominent herb in Ayurveda which is used as food and medicine since long ago. It is used as a single drug and in compound formulations and various folklore uses. Kakamachi helps to increase Shukra Dhatu. It is Shukrala, Rasayana, Vrishya, Tikta, Snigdha, Sheeta, and Laghu. It is taken for the present study to see its Shukrala Karma. Thus, the study was carried out to evaluate Shukrala Karma of Churna of whole plant of Kakamachi.

Materials and Method: In vivo spermatogenic activity was evaluated in male Wistar albino rats. Rats were divided into 4 groups, each of 6 rats. Normal control rat groups, each of 6 rats. Normal control rats were given plain water, standard group was given Testoviron injection (0.05mg/kg BW) intramuscularly and test drug groups were given with drug Churna for TED (1.08gm/kg BW) and TEDx2 (2.16 gm /kg BW) orally for 60 days

Result: Body Weight Churna of whole plant of Kakamachi had shown good result in sperm count, weight of prostate, testes and seminal vesicle, sperm morphology, bio-chemistry of blood and histological evaluation of seminal vesicle, testes and prostate.

Conclusion: Kakamachi (Solanum nigrum Linn), which is effective in Shukrala Karma (Spermatogenic activity), can be accepted regarding sperm morphology, sperm motility, secretion of prostate and maturity of sperm with good evidence of spermatogenesis in histological evaluation of testes.