Beneficial effects of Cichorium intybus L. extract on oxidative status and reproductive parameters in male Wistar rats: An experimental study

During recent years, increasing concern has been raised about the declining sperm count and human male infertility. L. ( . ) has traditionally been used in Iranian folk medicine as hepato protective and blood purifier and for its presumed fertility-enhancing properties. A dose-response study was performed to determine the effect of . ethanolic leave extract on the reproductive parameters in adult Wistar male rats. In this experimental study, 40 healthy adult male Wistar rats (8 wk old, 200-210 gr body weight) were randomly divided (n = 10/each) as control and groups treated with 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg/day of extract via gavage for 70 days. Serum hormonal assay, epididymal sperm evaluation, and analysis of morphometrical parameters, antioxidant enzymes, and lipid peroxidation levels of testis were done in each experimental group. Weights of testis and epididymis increase significantly in male rats treated with 200 mg/kg extract. Sperm density and percent of morphologically normal sperm were significantly increased in a dose-related manner with treatment.Serum testosterone was higher at 100 and 200 mg/kg extract-treated groups. significantly reduced malondialdehyde levels and also increased superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activity in testicular tissue of rats. It is concluded that leave extract improves reproductive parameters in male rats which might be a consequence of both its antioxidant and androgenic properties.