Abstract

Ocimum sanctum L. leaf extract has been reported to possess antifertility. This plant is a rich source of various components that include eugenol, carvacrol (3%) and eugenol-methyl ether (20%). It also contains caryophyllin, ursolic acid, rosmaric acid, thymol, methyl chavicol, citral, carvacrol and β-caryophyllene. It has also been reported that the antifertility property was due to the presence of ursolic acid. Hence, in the present study rats were treated with O. sanctum L. leaf extract and ursolic acid. Administration of O. sanctum leaf extract caused significant decrease in sperm count and motility of spermatozoa by modulating testosterone levels. The extract caused androgen depletion at the target level, particularly in the cauda epididymis thereby affecting physiological maturation of the sperm. Ursolic acid, probably due to the low dose, it does not showed much effect on sperms and also on testosterone follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone hormone levels.