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Potential Ameliorative Effect of Zosima absinthifolia on Diminished Ovarian Reserve in Rats
Leila Safarian1, Homa Hajimehdipoor2, Mojgan Tansaz3
1Traditional Medicine and Materia Medica Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences Tehran Iran.
Background:
Diminished ovarian reserve (DOR), a leading cause of female infertility, has been increasing worldwide and currently lacks an effective and specific treatment. Zosima absinthifolia has traditionally been used in Persian medicine to treat menstrual disorders and enhance libido.
Objectives:
To investigate the protective effects of Z. absinthifolia extract against cyclophosphamide-induced DOR in a rat model.
Methods:
Zosima absinthifolia was extracted with 80% methanol and dried. Thirty female rats were randomly allocated to five groups: sham, DOR, and three extract-treated groups (12.5, 25, and 50 mg/kg). DOR was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of cyclophosphamide (45 mg/kg). Fourteen days later, the rats received the extract orally for 28 days. In an initial exploratory dose-screening phase, serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels were used to identify the most biologically active dose. Based on these findings, an optimal dose was selected for subsequent hormonal and histopathological evaluations.
Results:
Cyclophosphamide significantly decreased serum AMH and estradiol (E2) levels and increased follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels compared with those in the sham group. Treatment with Z. absinthifolia (12.5 mg/kg) significantly increased AMH and E2 levels and reduced FSH levels compared with those in the DOR group. Although treatment increased the numbers of primordial, primary, and antral follicles, these differences were not statistically significant. Similarly, no significant differences were observed in the numbers of Graafian follicles, cystic follicles, or corpora lutea among the groups.
Conclusions:
These findings provide preliminary evidence that Z. absinthifolia extract may exert protective effects in a rat model of cyclophosphamide-induced DOR. However, further studies evaluating toxicity, reproductive safety, dose-response relationships, and conducting controlled clinical trials are required before its potential clinical application can be considered.
