Abstract
Background: There is a relationship between hypogonadism and liver cirrhosis caused by chronic hepatitis. Date palm are widely used in traditional medicine for treatment of different diseases including, liver troubles. Objective: The objective of the study was to evaluate the role of date flesh or pit aqueous extract in prevention of hypogonadism resulted from liver damage. In addition, to determine the most effective extract and the exact time of its application. Materials and Methods: Sixty rats were divided into 6 equal groups. Control treated daily orally and intraperitoneally with distilled water and olive oil respectively. Group 2: injected on the days 1, 2 and 3 of the treatment period I/P with CCl4. Groups 3 and 5: (Pretreatment date flesh or date pit groups) were administrated aqueous extract of date flesh or pit orally and treated with CCl4 on day 30, 31 and 32 of the treatment period. Group 4 and 6: (Post treatment date-flesh or date-pit group) were administrated aqueous extract of date flesh or date-pit orally and treated with CCl4 on the days 1, 2 and 3 of the treatment period. The experimental period was 60 days. The data were analyzed statistically using one-way analysis of variance procedures and Duncan's test. Results: Rat treated with CCl4 showed significant p <= 0.01 decrease in final body (g), reproductive organs (index weight), liver (index weight) and kidney weights (gm), serum testosterone, gonadotrophins, testicular zinc and testosterone, semen characteristics, total protein, albumin, glucose, antioxidative enzymes and showed significant p <= 0.01 increase in serum estrogen, prolactin and testicular cholesterol, sperm abnormalities, urea, creatinine, lipid profile, bilirubin, liver enzymes and malondialdehyde. Treatment with date flesh or date pit extracts before or after CCl4 treatment caused reverse to these results. Conclusion: Pre and post oral treatment with the aqueous extracts of date pits or flesh at the same time with CCl4 has hepatoprotective effect, which in turn prevent hypogonadism due to liver damage.