The effect of Hydroalcoholic Extract of Anethum graveolens (Dill) on Serum Estrogen and Progesterone Level in Female Rats

Anethum graveolens (Dill) like Bunium persicum has therapeutic effect, such as food digestive, carminative, anticonvulsant, but its effect on increasing milk is certain. In this study, the possible effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Dill was investigated on serum levels of estrogen and progesterone in female rats.

The present study was carried out on 36 mature female wistar rats (weight, 150-250g) in 4 groups (9 rats per group):The first and second groups received the hydroalcoholic extract at doses of 50 and 100mg/kg, respectively, and the third group (sham) received 1 ml of water (solvent)for 14 days through gavage. The fourth group (control) received no drug. At the end, a deep ether anesthesia and blood sampling from the heart of animals were done and the serum levels of estrogen and progesterone hormones were measured. The results were compared using one-way ANOVA statistical test. The significance level was considered to be p<0.05.

The serum concentration of progesterone hormone significantly increased in groups received the extract compared to the control and sham groups (p<0.05). But the serum level of estrogen did not show any significant difference in experimental groups compared to the control group.

The results of this study indicated that the hydroalcoholic extract of dill seed at both doses could be effective in the increase of serum progesterone level. Therefore, in future, after conducting more studies, this extract should be considered as an important factor for elevation of this hormone level in women.