Antioxidant effect of parsley and panax ginseng extract standardized with ginsenosides Rg3 against alteration induced in reproductive functions in male mice

Abstract

In the present study, the antigcidant effects of parsley oil and panax ginseng have been evaluated against the clastogenecity of ZEN. One hundred and eight mature male mice were distributed into nine treatment groups, including the control group and the groups treated with parsley oil (0.6 ml/kg b.w), panax ginseng extract (40 mg/kg b.w) or parsley oil plus panax ginseng extract with or without ZEN (10 µg/kg b.w). Animals within different treatment groups were divided into two subgroups (A and B). Subgroup A were used for the determination of serum testosterone levels and chromosomal aberrations and received their respective doses for two weeks whereas, subgroup B were used for sperm abnormality and received their respective doses twice a day for one week and sacrificed after 30 days. The results indicated that ZEN treatment resulted in a significant decrease in testosterone concentration, sperm count and sperm motility. Whereas it caused a significant increase in abnormal sperms counts and total chromosomal aberrations in germ cells. Animals treated with parsley oil or panax ginseng extract alone or in combination were comparable to the controls regarding all the tested parameters. The combined treatment with ZEN and parsley oil, panax ginseng or parsley oil plus panax ginseng extract resulted in a significant improvement in all tested parameters. Moreover, parsley oil was found to be effective than panax ginseng extract and the combined treatment was more effective than the single treatment. It could be concluded that both parsley oil and panax ginseng extract induced a protective action against ZEN-induced alteration in the reproductive performance and the combined treatment may be useful than the single treatment.