Protective effects of Arctium lappa against ethanol induced testicular damages

Background: Ethanol consumption has adverse effects on testis. Studies show that oxidative stress has important role in pathological effects of ethanol. Various herbal products have anti-oxidative effects. So, we can use these products in treatment of oxidative damages. Arctium lappa has anti-infllammatory and free radical-scavenging activities. In this study, we aimed to examine protective effect of Arctium lappa extract, against ethanol induced testicular damage.Methods: Twenty male Wistar albino rats were divided into three groups as follows: Group 1 (control group: received only saline), Group 2 (ethanol group: was treated with only ethanol) and Group 3 (ethanol + Arctium lappa). Experimental period in all groups were two weeks. Water, ethanol and Arctium lappa extract was administered daily by gavage. At the end of experiments, all the animals were killed and testes were removed for histological and biochemical analyses.Result: Ethanol administration caused increase in H2O2 and malon dealdehyde (MDA) level and then following decrease in body and reproductive organ weights, sperm counts, total protein and SOD enzyme activity compared to control group. However, administration of ethanol together with Arctium lappa resulted in significant improvements in body and organ weights, sperm counts, SOD activity and MDA level compared to ethanol group.Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that Arctium lappa extract has protective effect against ethanol induced testicular damages.

کلیدواژه ها:

Ethanol ، Rat ، Sperm count ، Testis ، Arctium lappa