Abstract

The present study was conducted to estimate the possible adverse effects of Berberine on biochemical, hematological, reproductive parameters in male rats. Thirty mature rats were divided into 2 groups. The first group (control) consists of 5 rats were administered Polyethyleneglycol 20% (PEG) at a dose level of 2ml/kg. B.wt. I/M. daily for 2 weeks. The second group consists of 25 rats were administered with Berberine 46mg/kg. B.wt. I/M. dissolved in PEG 20% daily for 2 weeks. The results showed that administration of Berberine induced a significant (P ≤ 0.05) reduction in Triglycerides, total cholesterol, and LDL-cholesterol. While, it induced a significant (P ≤ 0.05) increase in glutathione-s-transferase (GST), bilirubin level. While it induced a non-significant change in alanine aminotransferase(ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total protein, albumin, globulin, malondialdehyde (MDA), red blood corpuscles count (R.B.Cs), white blood corpuscle count (W.B.Cs), packed cell volume (PCV%), urea and creatinine. It showed an androgenic activity as it induced a significant (P ≤ 0.05) increase in sperm count, testosterone level. It could be concluded that Berberine is safe and consider a hepato-renal protective drug.

Key words: Berberine, adverse effects, hepato-renal, fertility.