Sophora pachycarpa Root Extract has Ameliorative Effects on Testicular Injury but is Hepatotoxic in Carbon Tetrachloride Intoxicated Rats

Background: Carbon tetrachloride (CCl۴) causes damages to the testicles, liver, kidneys, lungs and brain. In the present study, we investigated protective effects of Sophora pachycarpa Schrenk ex C.A.Mey. root extract on testicular damage, liver histopathology and sex hormone levels in CCl۴ intoxicated male rats.Methods: In present study the rats were divided into ۶ experimental groups (n=۶): ۳ groups as pre-treatment groups that received doses of ۵۰, ۱۰۰ and ۲۵۰ mg/kg/days of S. pachycarpa extract respectively by gavage for ۲۱ days before intraperitoneal injection of ۵۰۰µl/kg CCl۴. CCl۴ group received ۵۰۰µl/kg CCl۴ on the day of ۲۱. Post-treatment group received ۱۰۰ mg/kg/day S. pachycarpa for ۱۰ days and ۱۲h after injection of ۲۵۰ µl/kg CCl۴. Control group received ۱ml distilled water for ۲۱ days. Liver and testis tissues were sampled for microscopic examination and sex hormone levels in the serum were evaluated.Results: Treatment of S. pachycarpa root extract (۲۵۰ mg/kg) lead to a considerable improvement in the histopathological changes caused by CCl۴ in the testis. However, the extract (۲۵۰ mg/kg) caused inflammation and adverse tissue effects in liver. Serum levels of hormones also increased significantly in pre-treatment groups.Conclusion: Based on the results, the S. pachycarpa extract can improve the changes caused by CCl۴ in the testis and sex hormones levels. But its higher doses can cause adverse effects in liver tissue.

کلیدواژه ها:

carbon tetrachloride ، Sophora pachycarpa root extract ، liver ، testis