Detrimental effect of Hypericum perforatum on ovarian functions.

OBJECTIVE: Hypericum perforatum (HP) is widely used for depression and distress treatment as an over-the-counter plant in any age. This study investigated the safety of HP on ovarian functions and infertility.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: HP given to the rats in two different doses (100 and 300 mg/kg/day) with drinking water for four weeks. Half of the treatment groups have been sacrificed at the end of four weeks intervention, remained have been sacrificed after additional waiting period for four weeks to see reversibility if there is. At the end of experiment, under the anesthesia with Ketamine and Xylasine (50 mg/kg and 5 mg/kg, respectively), blood samples and both ovarian tissues were obtained.

RESULTS: Although, primordial follicles number were not affected with the dose of 100 mg/kg, significantly decreased 28.6% when the dose tripled. Primary follicles number stayed the same, but secondary and tertiary follicles numbers were significantly decreased dose dependently and four weeks later of the intervention, they were still significantly remained low. Anti Mullarian Hormone level was not significant amongst the group.

CONCLUSION: HP treatment did not change serum level of Anti Mullarian Hormone, this because of primary follicle number has not decreased. On the other hand, the other follicles count dose-dependently decreased and full recovery was not gained four weeks later. Especially HPs detrimental effect on primordial follicles takes the attention, if any woman use HP can face with ovarian failure as well.