Impact of cepoka eggplant extract (Solanum torvum S.) and Kapok seed (Ceiba pentandra G.) on expression of p53 protein and the number of Leydig cells in rats

There is an increase population growth in Indonesia. Therefore, it is necessary to control this through the use of antifertility agents. Both cepoka eggplant (Solanum torvum S.) and Kapok seeds (Ceiba pentandra G.) have a role as antifertility agents as contains solasodine and gossypol compounds respectively. This study aims to determine the difference between the effect of cepoka eggplant extract and Kapok seed as male antifertility agents on the expression of p53 protein in the seminiferous tubular tissue and the number of Leydig cells in rats. A total of 18 male Wistar rats, 2.5-3 months old and 190-320 g weight were randomly divided into 3 groups with 6 replicats, as follows: the negative control group (K-) without treatment, group 1 (G1) given 1 g/kg Cepoka eggplant extract, and group 2 (G2) admistered 0.1 g/kg Kapok seed extract. The results showed that the administration of 0.1 g/kg Kapok seed extract (Ceiba pentandra G.) significantly increased the expression of p53 protein and reduced the number of Leydig cells compared with the administration of 1 g/kg Cepoka eggplant extract (Solanum torvum S.). It was concluded that Kapok seed extract can be used as antifertility agent as increase the expressions of p53 protein and reduce the number of Leydig cells.