Effect of 96% Ethanol Turmeric Extract as an Antifertility Agent on the Testicular Weight of Sprague Dawley Rats

Abstract

Background. Turmeric (Curcuma longa Linn, synonym Curcuma domestica Val.) is a plant from Southeast Asia which has been consumed as a complement to cooking spices, herbal medicine, or as a medicine to maintain health and beauty such as skin and facial care.

Objective. The study aimed to determine the effect of turmeric extract on the testicular weight of rats. 

Methods. This is an experimental research. After going through an adaptation period of two weeks, the animals were given turmeric extract orally for 30 days. The testicles were weighed, and sperm was taken from the vas deferens of male rats. 

Results. Normality test (Kolmogorov-Sminorv) and homogeneity test (Homogeneity of Variances) were done. A significance value of P>0.05 was obtained, indicating that the data on the proportion of testicular weights at all test doses compared to the control were not statistically significant. 

Conclusion. The administration of 96% ethanol turmeric extract at a dose of 25 mg/KgBW, 50 mg/KgBW, and 100 mg/KgBW for 30 days did not affect the weight of rat testicles. It is necessary to isolate compounds in the 96% ethanol extract of turmeric to determine its antifertility effect.