Effects of hydro-alcoholic extract of Nigella Sativa L. on ovarian function factors in female rats

Black seeds (Nigella Sativa L.) is a medicinal plant that has long been used in the treatment of many diseases as sexual dysfunction. The present study was conducted to investigate effects of this plant on ovarian tissue structure. In this research, 35 adult female Wister rats weighing 250-300 g were divided into five equal groups as follow: control group (without treatment), a sham solution of water and alcohol, and 3 treatment groups. The hydroalcoholic extract of black seeds was prepared in low, middle and high doses (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg/b.wt), respectively, and they were injected intraperitoneally in three treatment groups daily for three weeks. At the end of treatment period, the ovaries were dissected, and tissue sections (5μm) were prepared after dehydration, clearing and paraffin embedding. Follicular types were counted and histological changes were studied by light microscope. Data were analyzed by SPSS (17), and the study groups were compared by t-test (P