Volume 10, Issue 4 (8-2012)                   IJRM 2012, 10(4): 355-362 | Back to browse issues page

XML Persian Abstract Print


Download citation:
BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks
Send citation to:

Parandin R, Yousofvand N, Ghorbani R. The enhancing effects of alcoholic extract of Nigella sativa seed on fertility potential, plasma gonadotropins and testosterone in male rats. IJRM 2012; 10 (4) :355-362
URL: http://ijrm.ir/article-1-290-en.html
1- Department of Animal Physiology-Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Payame Noor University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran , rparandin@gmail.com
2- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Razi University of Kermanshah, Kermanshah, Iran
3- Center of Fertility and Infertility, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
Abstract:   (4238 Views)
Background: The task force on plants for fertility regulation in men continued with its program to identify novel prototypes in plants alleged to have fertility regulating properties. Nigella Sativa  seeds are frequently used in folk medicine in the Middle East and some Asian countries for the promotion of good health and treatment of many ailments.
Objective: To evaluated the role of alcoholic extract of Nigella sativa on fertility potential, Pituitary-testicular axis hormones and Testosterone in male rats.  
Materials and Methods: 24 male rats were randomly divided into 3 groups; control, group A and group B, each group comprising of 8 rats. Animals in control group received 1 ml of normal saline and treatment groups (A and B) received (gavage) graded doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight of alcoholic extract of Nigella sativa seeds on a daily basis for 60 days. At the end of treatment period, fertility parameters such as body and reproductive organs weight, sperm motility, viability and count, epididymal sperm reserve (ESR), daily sperm production (DSP), blood testosterone concentration, Gonadotropins levels and fertility index were measured.
Results: There was a significant difference in testes and epididymidis weight, sperm count, ESR, DSP, blood testosterone concentration, LH and fertility index in both the lower dose group and the higher group as compared to the control group.
Conclusion: The results of this study showed that alcoholic extract of Nigella sativa seed especially in higher doses could increase fertility potential, LH and testosterone concentration in male rats.
Full-Text [PDF 264 kb]   (970 Downloads) |   |   Full-Text (HTML)  (448 Views)  
Type of Study: Original Article |

References
1. Chandra A, Stephen EH. Impaired fecundity in the United States: 1982-1995. Fam Plann Perspect 1998; 30: 34-42. [DOI:10.2307/2991524]
2. World Health Organization. WHO Manual for the Standardized Investigation and Diagnosis of the Infertile Couple. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press; 2000.
3. World Health Organization. Traditional Medicine Strategy 2002-2005. Geneva; 2002.
4. Burns MM. Alternative medicine: Herbal preparation. Clin Ped Emerg Med 2000; 1: 186-190. [DOI:10.1016/S1522-8401(00)90026-0]
5. McDonald A. A Botanical Perspective on the Identity of Soma (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.) Based on Scriptural and Iconographic Records. New York: Botanical Garden Press; 2004.
6. D'Cruz SC, Vaithinathan S, Jubendradass R, Mathur PP. Effects of plants and plant products on the testis. Asian J Androl 2010; 12: 468-479. [DOI:10.1038/aja.2010.43]
7. Mozaffarian V. A Dictionary of Iranian Plants Names. Tehran; Farhang Moaser Publishers; 1998: 365.
8. E1-Kadi A, Kandil O. The black seed (N. sativa) and immunity- its effects on human T-cell subset. Fed Proc 1987; 46: 122-126.
9. Swamy SMK, Tan BKH. Extraction, Isolation and Characterization of Antitumor Principle, hederin from the seeds of Nigella sativa. Plant med 2001; 67: 29-32. [DOI:10.1055/s-2001-10628]
10. Semsam Shariat H. Medicinal plants. 2nd Ed. Esfahan; Chaharbagh; 2007: 32.
11. Zargari A. Medicinal Plants. 6th Ed. Tehran; University Press; 1990: 43-44.
12. Kanter M, Demir H, Karakaya C, Ozbek H. Gastroprotective activity of Nigella sativa L. oil and its constituent, Thymoquinone against acute alcohol-induced gastric mucosal injury in rats. World J Gastroenterol 2005; 11: 6662-6666. [DOI:10.3748/wjg.v11.i42.6662]
13. David RW, Omar AG, Peter AC. The in vitro antitumor activity of some crude and purified components of block seed (Nigella sativa). Anticancer Res 1998; 18: 1527-1532.
14. Salomi MJ, Nair SC, Panikkar KR. Inhibitory effects of Nigella sativa and saffron (Crocus sativus) on chemical carcinogenesis in mice. Nutr Cancer 1991; 16: 67-72. [DOI:10.1080/01635589109514142]
15. Perveen T, Haider S, Kanwal S, Haleem DJ. Repeated administration of Nigella sativa decrease 5-HT Turnover and produces Anxiolytic effects in rats. Pak J Pharm Sci 2009; 22: 139-144.
16. Hanafy MS, Hatem ME. Studies on the antimicrobial activity of Nigella sativa seed (black cumin). J Ethnopharmacol 1991; 34: 275-278. [DOI:10.1016/0378-8741(91)90047-H]
17. Salem ML, Hossain MS. Protective effect of black seed oil from Nigella sativa against murine cytomegalovirus infection. Int J Immunopharmacol 2000; 22: 729-740. [DOI:10.1016/S0192-0561(00)00036-9]
18. Houghton PJ, Zarka R, De las Heras B, Hoult JR. Fixed oil of Nigella sativa and derived Thymoquinone inhibit eicosanoid generation in leukocytes and membrane lipid peroxidation. Planta Med 1995; 61: 33-36. [DOI:10.1055/s-2006-957994]
19. Burits M, Bucar F. Antioxidant activity of Nigella sativa essential oil. Phytother Res 2000; 14: 323-328. https://doi.org/10.1002/1099-1573(200008)14:5<323::AID-PTR621>3.0.CO;2-Q [DOI:10.1002/1099-1573(200008)14:53.0.CO;2-Q]
20. Kanter M, Meral I, Dede S. Effects of Nigella sativa L.and Urtica dioica L. on lipid peroxidation, antioxidant enzyme systems and some liver enzymes in CCl4-treated rats. J Vet Med A Physiol Pathol Clin Med 2003; 50: 264-268. [DOI:10.1046/j.1439-0442.2003.00537.x]
21. Farah N, Benghuzzi H, Tucci M, Cason Z. The effects of isolated antioxidants from black seed on the cellular metabolism of A549 cells. Biomed Sci Instrum 2005; 41: 211-216.
22. Yoruk O, Ozabacigil Gur F, Uyanik H, Yasar M, Mutlu V, Altas E, et al. Antioxidant Effects of Nigella Sativa in the Treatment of Experimentally Induced Rhinosinusitis. Macedon J Med Sci 2010; 3: 132-137. [DOI:10.3889/MJMS.1857-5773.2010.0101]
23. Akram KM. Chemical composition and medicinal properties of Nigella sativa Linn. Inflammopharmacology.1999; 7: 15-35. [DOI:10.1007/s10787-999-0023-y]
24. Gilani AH, Jabeen Q, Asad Ullah Khan M. A review of medicinal uses and pharmacological activities of Nigella sativa. Pak J Biol Sci 2004; 7: 441-451. [DOI:10.3923/pjbs.2004.441.451]
25. Nickavar B, Mojab F, Javidnia K, Roodgar Amoli MA. Chemical composition of the fixed and volatile oils of Nigella sativa L. from Iran. Z Nturforsch 2003; 58: 629-631. [DOI:10.1515/znc-2003-9-1004]
26. Hajhashemi V, Ghannadi A, Jafarabadi H. Black cumin seed essential oil, as a potent analgesic and anti-inflammatory drug. Phytother Res 2004; 18: 195-199. [DOI:10.1002/ptr.1390]
27. Burits M, Bucar F. Antioxidant activity of Nigella sativa essential oil. Phytother Res 2000; 14: 323-328. https://doi.org/10.1002/1099-1573(200008)14:5<323::AID-PTR621>3.0.CO;2-Q [DOI:10.1002/1099-1573(200008)14:53.0.CO;2-Q]
28. Padhye S, Banerjee S, Ahmad A. Mohammad R. Sarkar FH. From here to eternity- the secret of Pharaohs: Therapeutic potential of black cumin seeds and beyond. Cancer Ther 2008; 6: 495-510.
29. Samir Bashandy AE. Effects of fixed oil of Nigella sativa on male fertility in normal and Hyperlipidemic rats. Int J Pharmacol 2007; 3: 27-33. [DOI:10.3923/ijp.2007.27.33]
30. Mukhalad AM, Mohamad MJ, Darka H. Effects of black seeds (Nigella sativa) on spermatogenesis and fertility of male albino rats. Res J Med Med Sci 2009; 4: 386-390.
31. El-Tahomi MM, El-Nattat WS, El-Kady RI. The benifical effects of Nigella sativa, Raphanus sativus and Eruca sativa seed Cakes to Improve Male rabbit fertility, Immunity and production. J Am Sci 2010; 6: 1247-1255.
32. WHO: protocol CG-04. Preparation of alcoholic extract for bioassay and phytochemical studies (APJF/IP, 1001 A). Geneva, World Health Organization; 1983.
33. Oberlander G, Yeung CH. Cooper TG. Induction of reversible infertility in male rats by oral Ornidazole and its effects on sperm motility and epididymal secretions. J Reprod Fertil 1994; 100: 551-559. [DOI:10.1530/jrf.0.1000551]
34. Prasad MR, Chinoy NJ, Kadam KM. Changes in succinic dehydrogenase levels in the rat epididymis under normal and physiologic conditions. Fertil Steril 1972; 23: 186-190. [DOI:10.1016/S0015-0282(16)38825-2]
35. Raji Y, Udoh US, Mewoyeka OO, Onoye FC, Bolarinwa AF. Imolication of reproductive endocrine malfunction in male fertility efficacy of Azadirachta indica extract in rats. Afr J Med Sci 2003; 32: 159-165.
36. Kisa U, Basar MM, Ferhat M, Yilmaz E, Basar H, Caglayan O, et al. Testicular tissue nitric oxide and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance levels: evaluation with respect to the pathogenesis of varicocele. Urol Res 2004; 32: 196-199. [DOI:10.1007/s00240-004-0401-2]
37. Robb GW, Amann RP, Killian GJ. Daily sperm production and epididymal sperm reserve of pubertal and adult rats. J Reprod Fertil 1978, 54: 103-107. [DOI:10.1530/jrf.0.0540103]
38. Parandin R, Sadeghipour HR, Haeri Rohani SA. Evaluation of antifertility effect and recovery of the seed oil constituents of Iranian Species of Melia Azadrach L. in Male Rats. J Reprod Contracept 2008; 19:161-166. [DOI:10.1016/S1001-7844(08)60019-X]
39. Yucra S, Gasco M, Rubio J, Nieto J, Gonzales GF. Effect of different fractions from hydroalcoholic extract of Black Maca (Lepidium meyenii) on testicular function in adult male rats. Fertil Steril 2008; 89: 1461-1467. [DOI:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2007.04.052]
40. Mohamad KN, Nasier MK, Bataineh HN, Bataineh ZM, Daradka HM. Effect of Frankincense (boswellia thurifera) on reproductive system in adult male rat. J Health Sci 2007; 53: 365-370. [DOI:10.1248/jhs.53.365]
41. Lilibeth AC, Glorina LP. Effects of Moringa oleifera Lam. (Moringaceae) on the reproduction of male mice (Mus musculus). J Med Plant Res 2010; 4: 1115-1121.
42. Turkdogan MK, Agaoglu Z, Yener Z, Sekeroglu R, Akkan HA, Avci ME. The role of antioxidant vitamins (C and E), selenium and Nigella sativa in the prevention of liver fi brosis and cirrhosis in rabbits: new hopes. Dtsch Tierarztl Wochenschr 2001; 108: 71-73
43. Akhondian J, Parsa A, Rakhshande H. The effect of Nigella sativa L. (black cumin seed) on intractable pediatric seizures. Med Sci Monit 2007; 13: 555-559.
44. Singh J, O'Neill C, Handelsman DJ. Induction of spermatogenesis by androgens in gonadotropin-deficient (hpg) mice. Endocrinology 1995; 136: 5311-5321. [DOI:10.1210/endo.136.12.7588276]
45. Bhasin S, Fielder T, Peacock N, Sod-Mariah UA, Swerdloff RS. Dissociating antifertility effects of GnRH antagonist from its adverse effects on mating behavior in male rats. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 1988; 254: 84-91. [DOI:10.1152/ajpendo.1988.254.1.E84]
46. O'Donnel L, Mc LachlanRI, Wreford NG, Robertson DM. Testosterone promotes the conversion of round spermatids between stages vii and viii of the rat spermatogenic cycle. Endocrinology 1994; 135: 2608-614. [DOI:10.1210/endo.135.6.7988449]
47. Zini A, Schlegel PN. Identification and characterization of antioxidant enzyme mRNAs in the rat epididymis. Int J Androl 1997; 20: 86-91. [DOI:10.1046/j.1365-2605.1997.00039.x]
48. Sonmez M, Turk G, Yuce A. The effect of ascorbic acid supplementation on sperm quality, lipid peroxidation and testosterone levels of male Wistar rats. Theriogenology 2005; 63: 2063-2072. [DOI:10.1016/j.theriogenology.2004.10.003]
49. Yousef MI, Esmail AM, Baghdadi HH. Effect of isoflavones on reproductive performance, testosterone levels, lipid peroxidation, and seminal plasma biochemistry of male rabbits. J Environ Sci Health B 2004; 39: 819-833. [DOI:10.1081/LESB-200030880]
50. D'cruz SC, Mathur PP. Effect of piperine on the epididymis of adult male rats. Asian J Androl 2005; 7: 363-368. [DOI:10.1111/j.1745-7262.2005.00059.x]
51. Mandal TK, Das NS. Testicular toxicity in Cannabis extract treated mice: association with oxidative stress and role of antioxidant enzyme systems. Toxicol Ind Health 2010; 26: 11-23. [DOI:10.1177/0748233709354553]
52. Fellner SJ, Sauer DS, Kramer JGK. Steady-state rates of Linoleic acid biohydrogenation by ruminal bacteria in continuous culture. J Dairy Sci 1995; 78: 1815-1823. [DOI:10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(95)76806-0]
53. Gromadzka Ostrowska J, Przepiorka M, Romanowicz K. Influence of dietary fatty acids composition, level of dietary fat and feeding period in some parameters of androgen metabolism in male rats. Repord Biol 2002; 2: 277-293.
54. Al-Ali A, Alkhawajah AA, Randhawa MA, Shaikh NA. Oral and intraperitoneal LD50 of Thymoquinone, an active principle of Nigella sativa, in mice and rats. J Ayub Med Coll Abbottabad 2008; 20: 25-27.
55. Gökçe A, Oktar S, Koc A, Gonenci R, Yalcinkaya F, Yonden Z, et al. Protective Effect of Thymoquinone in Experimental Testicular Torsion. Eur Urol 2010; 9 (Suppl.): 586.

Send email to the article author


Rights and permissions
Creative Commons License This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

Designed & Developed by : Yektaweb