Evalution of hypericin effect on rat ovulation

Fertility and ovulation are affected by hormones and drugs. Hypericin is one of the drugs affecting the ovulation by neurotransmitters such as dopamine. Hypericin is an important component of Hypericum perforatom (S Johns Wot) used in treatment of depression and its important side effect is photosensitivity. In present study, the effect of hypericin on rat ovulation was evaluated. This study was carried as following on 30 female immature 25-day rats. At first day, PMSG was administrated to all rats at nineo’clock in the morning except control group. The control group was kept without drugs and under similar conditions with other groups. No drug was administrated on the second day of study. Positive control group (1) received gonadotropine at dose of 800 ng subcutaneously on day 3. Positive control group (2) received phenobarbital at dose of 4mg/kg interaperitoneally at one o’clock in the afternoon and positive control (3) received phenobarbital at dose of 4mg/kg interaperitoneally at one o’clock in the afternoon and GnRH at dose of 800 ng subcutaneously 2 hours later. Test group (1) was similar to positive control (3), in addition, hypericin was administrated orally at dose of 25mg/kg 30 min before phenobarbital. Test group (2) was similar to test group (1), but hypericin was given at dose of 50mg/kg. The rats were euthanized on day 4 of study at nine o’clock in the morning. The number of mature follicles, hyperemic follicles and corpus hemoragicum was counted. The results showed that administration of hypericin increased growth of follicles and number of mature follicles, hyperemic follicles, and corpus hemoragicum and it enhanced ovulation in comparison to control. However, a final comment on the mechanisms of hypericin effect needs the measurement of related hormones and neurotransmitters.