Oxidative Stress: Role of Eruca sativa Extract on Male Reproduction in Rats

The possible protective effects of ethanolic extract of Eruca sativa leaves on reproduction was evaluated in male adult rats exposed to hydrogen peroxide. Forty adult male rats were randomly divided into four equal groups and treated daily for 60 days as follows: a control group (C) received tap water, group T1 received tap water containing 0.5% H2O2, group T2 received tap water containing 0.5% H2O2 and administered 300 mg/kg. B.W. ethanolic extract of Eruca sativa leaves orally and group T3 received the same dose of ethanolic extract only as in T2. At 0 (pretreated), 30 and 60 days of the experiment fasting blood samples was collected by cardiac puncture technique under anesthesia and serum was isolated to analyze hoemonal profile i.e serum testosterone, follicular stimulating hormone (FSH) and leutinizing hormone (LH) and peroxynitrite concentrations, in addition to catalase activity, furthermore, semen parameters was studied. The results showed a significant decrease in catalase activity, with significant increase in peroxynitrite concentration in group T1 compared to control and T3 groups. In addition, a significant decrease in serum testosterone, FSH and LH concentrations was observed in group T1 compared with other groups. Whereas, hormonal assay revealed a significant elevation in serum testosterone, LH and FSH concentrations at two experimental periods in group T3 compared with control, T1 and T2 groups. Hydrogen peroxide resulted in a significant decrease in sperm concentration with increase in sperm abnormal morphology in group T1 as compared to other experimental groups. These results supported that oxidative stress induced by hydrogen peroxide may have triggered some degree of testicular toxicity. The findings of the present study indicated that ethanolic extract of Eruca sativa leaves improvemed the testicular functions and spermatogenesis in stressed rats. Thus lends credence to it is folklore use of the plant in the management of testicular dysfunction.