Effect of alcoholic extract of aloe vera plant on serum testosterone and gonadotropin levels in rats

Abstract

Introduction: Aloe vera plant’s beneficial effect on diabetes, burns, wounds, and gastrointestinal diseases has been proved. In this study, the effect of aloe vera extract on serum testosterone and gonadotropin levels was investigated in rats. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 45 adult male Westar rats with the average weight of 200 ± 20 g were randomly divided into 5 groups, including control, sham and experimental groups 1, 2, 3, which received orally 50, 100, 200 mg /kg/bw aloe vera alcoholic extract per day respectively for 30 days. The rats were anaesthetized with ether, and blood was taken from the heart. Serum was separated and serum level of hormones LH, FSH and testosterone were measured by radioimmunoassay. The data were analyzed using ANOVA. Results: Results showed that serum levels of testosterone in the experimental groups 2 (100 mg) and 3 (200 mg) compared to the control group decreased significantly (P<0.05). Also, serum levels of LH and FSH hormones in the experimental group decreased as compared with the control group. Conclusion: According to the results of this study, aloe vera plant’s alcoholic extract taken orally can decrease testosterone and gonadotropin secretion in the male rats

Keywords

• aloe vera
• testosterone
• gonadotropin
• plants
• extracts