Some toxicological, hematological, biochemical, and reproductive effects of berberine in male rats

Abstract EN

The present study was conducted to estimate the possible adverse effects of berberine on biochemical, hematological, reproductive parameters in male rats.

thirty mature rats were divided into 2 groups.

the first group (control) consists of 5 rats were administered polyethyleneglycol 20% (PEG) at a dose level of 2ml/kg.

B.wt.

I/M.

daily for 2 weeks.

the second group consists of 25 rats were administered with berberine 46mg/kg.

B.wt.

I/M.

dissolved in PEG 20% daily for 2 weeks.

the results showed that administration of berberine induced a significant (P ≤ 0.05) reduction in triglycerides, total cholesterol, and LDL-cholesterol.

while, it induced a significant (P ≤ 0.05) increase in glutathione-s-transferase (GST), bilirubin level.

while it induced a non-significant change in alanine aminotransferase(ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total protein, albumin, globulin, malondialdehyde (MDA), red blood corpuscles count (R.B.Cs), white blood corpuscle count (W.B.Cs), packed cell volume (PCV%), urea and creatinine.

It showed an androgenic activity as it induced a significant (P ≤ 0.05) increase in sperm count, testosterone level.

it could be concluded that Berberine is safe and consider a hepato-renal protective drug.