Spermicidal and Antibacterial Effects of Oncoba welwitschii Oliv. (Salicaceae)

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this work is to evaluate the spermicidal, antimicrobial activity of Oncoba welwitchii Oliv. This will justify its use on reproductive health especially in the occurrence of infertility and the imbalance of vaginal flora. Carried out at the Department of Biology of the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Kinshasa, between January and May 2019, this study was initiated to determine the effect of the use of O. welwitchii Oliv. on human spermatozoa and vaginal microorganisms. Methodology: The leaves of O. welwitchii Oliv. were collected and identified at University of Kinshasa. The spermicidal effect was performed by the Sander-Cramer method and antibacterial activity were evaluated by liquid dilution method. Results: The results revealed that the juice of the leaves of O. welwitchii Oliv. have a spermicidal effect, as this juice reduce the initial mobility of the spermatozoids after 60 minutes of the exposure from 72±12% to 1±2% and their initial viability from 74±11% to 10±18%. This juice has shown bacteriostatic effects against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus (MBC/MIC > 4) and bactericidal effects against Lactobacilus acidophilus (MBC/MIC ≤ 4). Conclusion: This study gives additional information on the phytochemistry composition and a spermicidal effects of O. welwitchii Oliv. The spermicidal effects of this plant could be associated to its acidity. It should be noted that to the best of our knowledge, no study on the phytochemistry of O. welwitchii Oliv. is available in the literature.