Effect of (Alpinia officinarum) Hance on Sex Hormones and Certain Biochemical Parameters of Adult Male Experimental Rats

Abstract

Notwithstanding scientific advances, a significant number of the treatments in male infertility remained stayed vague. This study was aimed to study the impact of AlpiniaOfficinarum on sex hormones, serum antioxidant and biochemical markers in rats. Forty adult male rats, of (220 ± 10g) were partitioned into five groups (each consists of eight rats). The primary group was negative control group (-ve) and fed on basal diet only. The other four groups were subcutaneously injected with a single dose of lead acetate (200 mg/kg b.w) to reduce fertility, then were divided into 4 subgroups: including control positive group, and 2nd, 3rd and 4th subgroup were fed on basal diet with supplementation of dried A. officinarum at (5, 7.5 and 10%) respectively for two month. The results revealed that, supplementation with A. officinarum caused a significant positive effectson testes which due to a significant increase in the levels of serum total testosterones, Follicular stimulating Hormone (FSH), Luteinizing Hormone (LH) and Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) levels while Malondialdehyde (MDA) level was diminished. In addition, liver functions and serum lipid profiles were significantly improved compared to the positive control group. In conclusion: Our findings provide a scientific evidence to substantiate A. officinarum in improving fertility in human which may be due to its potent antioxidant properties and androgenic activities.