Effect Of Alkaloids Extract Of Peganum Harmala Seeds On Histo-function Of Rat’s Testes

Résumé: The Peganum harmala plant is commonly used as traditional herbal medicine in many countries including Algeria. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of alkaloids extract of P. harmala seeds on histo-function of rat’s testes. Twenty adult Albinos rats were divided equally into four groups, and treated intraperitoneally for 30 days: Group I served as control, received water. Group II, group III, and Group IV received daily a single dose of 40, 80, and 120 mg/kg body weight of alkaloids P. harmala extract respectively. Harmine and harmaline were the components identified in total alkaloids seeds extract by using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method. Body weight, testes relative weights, and testosterone serum levels decreased significantly in group III (P< 0.05) and group IV (P<0.01), whereas levels of LH hormone decreased significantly only (P<0.01) in group IV. The histological alterations were seen in group III and IV, but they were severe in group IV. They mainly included stop of spermatogenesis, deformation in seminiferous tubules structure, damage to leydig cells, and absence of Sertoli cells. In conclusion, P. harmala alkaloids induced testicular toxicity at higher doses, and disturbed the function of hypothalamic pituitary testis axis, which caused infertility.

Publié dans la revue: Journal of New Technology and Materials