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As part of the male contraceptive drugs will be present poison
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
Scientists are already completing work on the creation of the first male contraceptives. But, what is noteworthy - one of the components of such tablets will be an exotic vegetable poisonous substance, which in antiquity was used for the processing of spears and arrows.
American experts suggest that the natural extract called "uabain" (in medicine it is more familiar, as "g-strophanthin") can block not only the cardiac activity, but also the activity of spermatozoa.
Studies on rodents have demonstrated: a slightly altered form of the poisonous substance significantly slows down the spermatozoa, and does not harm the health of males.
Scientists have taken up the solution of this problem not by chance. It was always thought that contraceptives could be targeted only for the female half of humanity. Men can only use condoms, or a more radical remedy - a vasectomy. Experts considered this unfair, and in 2016 they began the first experiments. To date, scientists are sure: the oldest hunting poison can be the first contraceptive in the form of tablets for men.
Strofantin, in question, stands out from exotic plants in Africa. Ouabain has an exceptionally potent effect and immediately affects the contractility of the myocardium. Modern medicine allows the use of minimal doses of strophanthin to correct the work of the heart in case of insufficient activity. Although today there are also safer and more effective drugs.
What did the scientists discover? The main proteins, which are suppressed by the action of uabain, are localized in the myocardium. However, their analogs are present in active spermatozoa, providing their motor capacity. Hence, poison can immobilize them. But how to apply the remedy, if, simultaneously with spermatozoa, it will affect the heart muscle?
Prolonged work led to the desired result: specialists modified uabain, directing its effect solely on the inhibition of sperm motility.
Several types of the drug have already been tested laboratory. This made it possible to clarify the following: if we replace the lactone group with a triazole in the molecule, then the lethal substance will turn into a safe contraceptive.
Experiments on rodents have proved that the new substance has selectivity and affects only the motor activity of spermatozoa, thereby reducing the chances of reproduction.
The new modified poison is not toxic to the body, and its effect is completely reversible. That is, after the end of the contraceptive method, subsequent generations of spermatozoa do not suffer.
Soon, researchers announce the holding of full-fledged clinical trials, the results of which will make it possible to say with certainty whether new tablets will be massively used as a male contraceptive.
Head of the study Gunda Georg, representing the School of Medicine at the University of Minnesota (Minneapolis), gave details of the study in one of the issues of the Journal of Medical Chemistry.
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