Impact of Salvadora persica aqueous extract on follicular development in female rats

Salvadora persica (miswak) has many useful biological activities. Some studies have reported that miswak can be used as a contraceptive agent. However, no available investigations explain the histomorphological structure of ovarian follicles after miswak aqueous extract (MAE) administration. Twelve female Wistar albino rats were divided into two equal groups. In the control group (CG), the animals received normal saline daily for 4 weeks. While in the miswak treated group (MTG), the animals received orally 900 mg/kg of body weight of the MAE daily for the same period. At the end of the experiment, the rats were anesthetized and then euthanized by cervical dislocation. The ovaries were dissected, removed, weighted, fixed, and processed for histological examination by light and electron microscopy.Results revealed that the ovaries of CG showed various stages of follicular development. While in the MTG, the ovaries exhibited follicular atresia. The immunoexpression of caspase-3, progesterone receptors (PR), and estrogen receptors alpha (ERA) in the MTG and CG were reported.Our preliminary animal research indicates that MAE can inhibit follicular development and induce follicular atresia. These findings suggest a potential antifollicular and/or antiovulatory effect that requires confirmation through dose-response, fertility, toxicity, and clinical studies.