The aim of this study is to assess the antioxidant activity and also protective effects of Arctium lappa L. (AL) extract on ethanol-induced testicular injuries in rats. In addition, the total phenol and flavonoid contents of the methanolic extracts were analysed and the antioxidant activity of the extract was investigated. The studied extract possessed strong antioxidant activity (IC50 ; 0.113 ± 0.007 mg/ml) and exhibited more active than the ascorbic acid (IC50 ; 0.142 ± 0.002 mg/ml). The histological examinations revealed that the co-administration of ethanol and AL extract inhibits the testicular injuries, alterations in superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and H2 O2 and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were observed in ethanol-treated rats in comparison to the control group. The obtained results demonstrated strong pharmaceutical activities of AL and its potential capacity to be developed as a new health-care supplement against ROS-related substances.
Keywords: alcohol; antioxidant activity; herbal medicines; sperm; testis.
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