Protective Effect of Composite Extract of Withania somnifera, Ocimum sanctum and Zingiber officinale on Swimming-Induced Reproductive Endocrine Dysfunctions in Male Rat

The present study has been designed to find out the effects of forced swimming-induced oxidative stress imposition on primary and secondary sex organs and its protection by plant extract in male Wistar strain rats. This work has been designed to find out the scientific basis of the local use of the composite extract of root of Withania somnifera, leaf of Ocimum sanctum and rhizome of Zingiber officinale by village Ayurvedic doctors to protect the health disorders in connection to strenuous physical exercise, and also to search out the potentiality of above mentioned plant products on swimming-induced oxidative damage. Forced intermittent swimming for 8 hours /day for 28 days resulted a significant elevation in the level of products of free radical i.e., thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and conjugated dienes along with significant diminution in the activities of catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione–S–transferase in testis, prostate and seminal vesicle which were protected significantly after co-administration of methanolic extract of said plant parts in composite manner. Testicular steroidogenesis was assessed in this condition by measuring plasma levels of testosterone, which was diminished significantly in swimming group and was protected significantly by the composite extract of the plants parts. The antioxidative potency of this composite extract was compared with potent and standard antioxidant i.e., vitamin-E in forced swimming state. This herbal extract has no toxic effect on metabolic organs that has denoted here by the measurement of glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase and glutamate pyruvate transaminase activities in liver and kidney. The results suggest that swimming-induced oxidative stress on male sex organs may be protected by using above mentioned medicinal plants extract.