Aphrodisiac activity and curative effects of Pedalium murex (L.) against ethanol-induced infertility in male rats

Abstract

It has been suggested that chronic ethanol exposure may result in testicular damage and infertility in males. Petroleum ether extract of Pedalium murex, family Pedaliaceae (PEPM), is evaluated in this study for its ability to increase aphrodisiac activity and to cure ethanol induced germ cell damage and infertility in male rat models. Doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg of PEPM showed a significant increase (P < 0.01, P < 0.001) in mating and mounting behaviour. The effect on fertility factors such as total body weight, percentage of pregnancy, litter size were also significantly increased (P < 0.01) in comparison with the ethanol-treated group. Significant increases in sperm motility and count were observed in PEPM-treated groups in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.01; P < 0.001) as compared with the ethanol-treated group. Similarly, reductions in the percentage of abnormal sperm were noted in animals treated with PEPM 400 mg/kg. The effects of PEPM on total protein, total cholesterol and testosterone were satisfactory, the levels being increased significantly for protein (P < 0.05), cholesterol (P < 0.01) and testosterone (P < 0.05) by 400 mg/kg PEPM. Microtome sections of the testes of animals treated with 400 mg/kg PEPM exhibited restoration and recovery of germinal cells and the luminal spermatozoa and were comparable with the control group animals. These effects of PEPM make this natural herb ideal as an aphrodisiac and a potent fertility enhancing drug. © TÜBİTAK.