Effects of Libyan traditional plants on the reproductive system of male and female rats

Abstract

In different parts of the world, medicinal plants have demonstrated a lot of health benefits to mankind and remains an important source for the discovery of new bio-active compounds. Libya is a typical example of a country where medicinal plants are widely used. Plant extracts of five Libyan medicinal plants were used in this study to investigate their in vivo effects on spermatogenesis and steroidogenesis in male rats and on ovulation and fertility in female rats. The In vitro effects of these plant extracts were also investigated on TM3 Leydig cells and MCF 7 breast cancer cells. A phyto-chemical analysis of the five Libyan medicinal plants (flaxseed, black seeds, radish seed, date palm pollen and nutmeg) was done. The results showed that date palm pollen had a higher antioxidant activity than all of the above mentioned plants. In addition to this, Nigella sativa was observed to possess high flavonol content as well as high antioxidant activity.