The effect of crude aqueous extract of the Allium sativum on spermatogenesis in balb/C mice

Abstract

Objective: Among herbal medicine, Allium sativum (garlic) has historically been used widely for the treatment of many disease such as hypertension, diabetes, tuberculosis, leprosy, constipation, parasitic infection, food poisoning, emmenagogue, abortion induction and many other disease. However, data about the particular effects of garlic such as activator of spermatogenesis has not been considered as much. In this study, we evaluated the effect of crude garlic extract on mouse spermatogenesis. Eighteen mature male balb/c mice were divided into 2 groups (n=9). Group one received crude aqueous extract of the bulb of Allium sativum by gavages at doses of 4 mL/kg. Group two (control) received just the same volume of distilled water at the same manner of other group. At the end of exposure time, all groups were anesthetized, sacrificed and their testes were removed for histochemichal studies using histological techniques. By using of stereological methods, our data showed a significant free sex cell proliferation in experimental in contrast control group. It seems that consumption and administration of Allium sativum can result in significant structural changes in male reproductive system and affect spermatogenesis. The mechanism, by which Allium sativum induces these effects, is unknown and remains to investigated.