Antimicrobial activity of rosemary leaf extracts and efficacy of ethanol extract against testicular damage caused by 50-Hz electromagnetic field in albino rats.

Abstract

Rosemary is a restorative plant that has numerous utilizations in traditional medicine. In this investigation, rosemary leaf extracts were examined for their antimicrobial and antioxidant activities. The antimicrobial activity was tested against 8 bacterial strains. The antioxidant feature of rosemary extract on rat testicular tissue after exposure to the electromagnetic field. Sixty adult male albino rats weighing 180-200g (aged 2months) were divided into six groups: control group, rosemary group (receiving rosemary extract at a dose of 5mg/kgb.wt), EMF (2h) group (exposed to 50Hz and 5.4kV per meter of magnetic field for 2h), EMF (4h) group (exposed to 50Hz and 5.4kV per meter of magnetic field for 4h), EMF (2h) + rosemary group (receiving both magnetic field for 2h and extract), and EMF (4h) + rosemary group (receiving both magnetic field for 4h and extract). After 30days, the rats were sacrificed, and some estimates were determined. Results exhibited that the ethanolic extract of rosemary leaves was active against pathogenic bacteria. Results also demonstrated that exposure to EMF diminished level of male hormones (e.g., follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), testosterone, and luteinizing hormone (LH)) in serum and catalase (CAT) activity remarkably and increased the malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in comparison to the control group. Signs of improvement in the male hormones, CAT activity, and MDA levels were noticed during the treatments with rosemary. Histological results showed that the rosemary extract inhibited the destructive effect of electromagnetic fields on testicular tissue. This research reveals that the ethanolic extract of rosemary has many beneficial effects that can be compelling in supporting individuals living with EMF ecological contamination.