The protective effects of Arctium lappa L. Extract on testicular injuries induced by ethanol in rats

The aim of this study is to assess the antioxidant activity and also protective effects of Arctium lappa L. (AL) extract on ethanol-induced testicular injuries in rats. In addition, the total phenol and flavonoid contents of the methanolic extracts were analysed and the antioxidant activity of the extract was investigated. The studied extract possessed strong antioxidant activity (IC50; 0.113 +/- 0.007mg/ml) and exhibited more active than the ascorbic acid (IC50; 0.142 +/- 0.002mg/ml). The histological examinations revealed that the co-administration of ethanol and AL extract inhibits the testicular injuries, alterations in superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and H2O2 and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were observed in ethanol-treated rats in comparison to the control group. The obtained results demonstrated strong pharmaceutical activities of AL and its potential capacity to be developed as a new health-care supplement against ROS-related substances.