EFFECT OF PANAX GINSENG ROOT POWDER ON FERTILITY AND ANTIOXIDANT ENZYMES IN MALE RABBITS

Tahani Y. Omar* and Yousef K. A. Abdalhafid.

ABSTRACT

To investigate the effects of Panax ginseng root powder on reproductive functions and antioxidant enzymes, Glutathione-S Transferase (GST), Catalase (CAT) activities in normal adult male rabbits. Powder suspension of Panax ginseng root were administered orally to two groups of male rabbits at 150mg/kg b.w. or 300mg/kg b.w. A third group served as control and received the treatment vehicle, distilled water. Treatment lasted for 15 days before sacrifice. Serum testosterone sperm counts, plasma GST, CAT activities and testicular sections were determined. The administration caused a non-significant increase (P<0.05) in the serum testosterone. There was a statistically significant increase in the sperm count in rabbits which admnistered with Panax ginseng root powder at dose 150mg/kg or 300mg/kg when compared with control. There was also a significant increase (P<0.05) in plasma GST and CAT activities. The histological findings in animals treated with Panax ginseng at dose 150mg/kg or 300mg/kg showed an improvement of the cellular activity and spermatogenesis in the testicular sections. Our results indicated that Panax ginseng root powder possesses pro-fertility properties in male rabbits which might be a product of both its potent antioxidant properties and androgenic activities.

Keywords: Panax ginseng, testosterone, antioxidant enzymes, sperm count, testicular sections, rabbits.