95 Journal of Reproduction & Contraception http://www.RandC.cn 2010 Jun.; 21(2):95-100 randc@sippr.stc.sh.cn Human Spermicidal Activity of Passiflora edulis Extract Angela M. Alvarez-Gómez 1 , Wálter Cardona-Maya 1 , Jorge Forero 2 , Angela P. Cadavid 1 1. Grupo Reproducción, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia 2. Grupo de Inmunovirología, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia Objective To evaluate the spermicidal activity of Passiflora edulis extract on human spermatozoa. Methods Human spermatozoa were incubated with P. edulis extracts and their motility and viability were evaluated; additionally, the cytotoxic effect of the extracts was evaluated by the tetrazolium bromide (MTT) reduction assay. Results The motility and viability were decreased immediately after treatment with a 21% dilution of the supernatant of the extract of P. edulis (P<0.001). No cytotoxic effect of the extracts studied was found on proliferation of MDBK and VERO cells. Conclusion These results may open the way for the use of P. edulis as a spermicidal product with less adverse effects. Key words: spermatozoa; spermicide; contraception; Pasiflora edulis Corresponding author: Angela M. Alvarez Gómez; Tel: +574-2196685; Fax: +574-2191072; E-mail: alelamaria@gmail.com; reproduccion@medicina.udea.du.co There is an increasing interest in identifying products with spermicidal properties of plant origin [1-3] to develop new contraceptive alternatives for the women. The spermicidal method constitutes a key tool for the prevention of undesired pregnancies, mainly among adolescents, because it is controlled by the woman with advantageous characteristics compared with contraceptives of continuous use and condoms, because condoms prevent pregnancy but their use does not depend directly on the woman. Clinical evidence demonstrates that Nonoxinol-9 (N-9), the main compound in most spermicidal products available, although considered the most promising spermicidal- microbicide, it has failed to protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs), since the incidence of STIs has increased among users of this method [4,5] . This adverse effect has been attributed to the surfactant nature of N-9: its continuous use causes lesions in vaginal and cervical epithelial, leaving women more vulnerable to STIs, mainly to human immuno-