Effects of Eruca sativa Leaves Extracts on Testes, Fertility Potential and Testosterone Concentration in Male Rats

Background: Eruca sativa (E.S.) is a worldwide herbaceous plant usually used for salad preparations and in traditional medicine for their therapeutic properties.

Aims: This study aimed to determine the effect of ethanolic extract of Eruca sativa leaves (E.S.) on testosterone levels, and histological changes of testes.

Methodology: Fourteen albino male rats were divided into two groups: Group A, rats served as controls. Group B, the rats dosed orally with 500 mg kg-1 of extract daily for 4 weeks. Student’s t-test was used to compare the mean values of experimental group and control.

Results: The results showed that final body weight was significantly lower (P<0.05) than in the control. A significant increase (P<0.05) of testes weight was observed as compared with control. Significant differences (P<0.05) were also found in the mean concentration of testosterone between the experimental group and the control (6.294 ng/ml and 3.256 ng/ml, respectively).The dose caused a significant increase (P<0.05) of total protein and total cholesterol value, compared to the control. On the other hand, a significant reduction (P< 0.05) of triglycerides was observed. The histological study showed a decrease in the interstitial space, an increase in the diameter of seminiferous tubules, spermatid and leydig cells compared with the control.

Conclusion: Ethanolic extract of E.S. leaves could increase fertility potential and testosterone concentration in male rats. This plant seems to reduce serum cholesterol levels with some alterations in the structure and ultrastructure of the testes when this dose (500 mg kg-1) has used.