Effect of Hydroethanolic Echinophora platyloba L. Extract on Testosterone and Gonadotropin Serum Levels in Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Male Rats

Carbon tetrachloride is one of the chemical toxins widely used in hygiene industries. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Echinophora platyloba extract (EPE) on serum levels of testosterone and gonadotropins in male rats induced with carbon tetrachloride.
In this experimental study 49 male Wistar rats (220-250 g) were randomly divided into seven groups (n=7): Control group (2 ml/kg normal saline, daily for 4 days, ip), toxicant group (2 ml/kg CCl4ꉘ oil.1:1, single dose ,ip), sham group (2 ml/kg olive oil, single dose, ip), positive control group (400 mg/kg EPE daily for 4 days, ip), toxicant-treated groups 1, 2 and 3 (CCl4 olive oil.1:1, single dose and 200 and 400 and 800 mg/kg of EPE, respectively, daily for 4 days, ip). At the end of the treatments, serum testosterone and FSH & LH hormones were measured.
CCL4 resulted in significantly decreased testosterone and increased FSH & LH serum levels in the toxicant group compared with the control group (P Hydro-ethanolic E. platyloba extract increased serum levels of testosterone and decreased FSH and LH serum levels in male rats induced with CCL4.