Effect of ginseng bulk and its nanoparticles in testicular functions of normal rats

Abstract

Natural herbal medicines such as ginseng have been reported to enhance testicular functions. This study investigates the effects of ginseng bulk and its nanoparticles on male reproduction. A total of forty male albino rats were randomly divided into four equal groups, control (received physiological saline 1ml/day), Ginseng (Gin) 50 (administered with Gin powder 50 mg /kg BW/day), Ginseng 100 (administered with Gin powder 100 mg /kg BW/day) and Ginseng NPs30 (administered with Ginseng powder nanoparticles 30 mg /kg BW/day). We assessed body weight gain, testis weight, semen analysis, testosterone, LH, and FSH levels, as well as antioxidant biomarkers (catalase and malondialdehyde) after 8 weeks. Besides, histological examination, evaluation of spermatogenesis and androgen receptors expression were performed. our results showed increase in sperm concentration in Gin 100 group compared with control. Also, testosterone, LH and FSH levels were elevated significantly after administration of Gin 100 compared with Gin 50. Moreover, rats received Gin100 and Gin NPs 30 showed significant decrease in MDA level compared with the control group.  Histologically, all treated rats showed normal structured including seminiferous tubular architectures, presence of different stages of spermatogenesis, normal Sertoli and Leydig cells. However, the number of spermatozoa increased in Gin 50, Gin 100 and Gin NPs 30 respectively compared with control. Also, rats received Gin NPs 30 showed increase in diameter of seminiferous tubules compared with control. It can be concluded that normal testicular function can be structurally maintained and functionally enhanced by ginseng treatment principally by Gin NPs 30 administration.