Antimicrobial activity of rosemary leaf extracts and efficacy of ethanol extract against testicular damage caused by 50-Hz electromagnetic field in albino rats.

Environmental science and pollution research international · 2020 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 5650

Study snapshot

PublicationEnvironmental science and pollution research international · 2020

Study typeanimal

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Rosemary is a restorative plant that has numerous utilizations in traditional medicine. In this investigation, rosemary leaf extracts were examined for their antimicrobial and antioxidant activities. The antimicrobial activity was tested against 8 bacterial strains. The antioxidant feature of rosemary extract on rat testicular tissue after exposure to the electromagnetic field. Sixty adult male albino rats weighing 180-200 g (aged 2 months) were divided into six groups: control group, rosemary group (receiving rosemary extract at a dose of 5 mg/kg b.wt), EMF (2 h) group (exposed to 50 Hz and 5.4 kV per meter of magnetic field for 2 h), EMF (4 h) group (exposed to 50 Hz and 5.4 kV per meter of magnetic field for 4 h), EMF (2 h) + rosemary group (receiving both magnetic field for 2 h and extract), and EMF (4 h) + rosemary group (receiving both magnetic field for 4 h and extract). After 30 days, the rats were sacrificed, and some estimates were determined. Results exhibited that the ethanolic extract of rosemary leaves was active against pathogenic bacteria. Results also demonstrated that exposure to EMF diminished level of male hormones (e.g., follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), testosterone, and luteinizing hormone (LH)) in serum and catalase (CAT) activity remarkably and increased the malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in comparison to the control group. Signs of improvement in the male hormones, CAT activity, and MDA levels were noticed during the treatments with rosemary. Histological results showed that the rosemary extract inhibited the destructive effect of electromagnetic fields on testicular tissue. This research reveals that the ethanolic extract of rosemary has many beneficial effects that can be compelling in supporting individuals living with EMF ecological contamination.

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AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typeanimal

Effect directionmixed

PopulationAdult male albino rats (180–200 g; aged 2 months)

Sample size60

ExposureELF · 2 h or 4 h exposures; study duration 30 days

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

In rats, exposure to a 50 Hz electromagnetic field (reported as 5.4 kV per meter) for 2 h or 4 h was associated with decreased serum male hormones (FSH, testosterone, LH) and catalase activity, and increased MDA compared with controls. Rosemary ethanolic extract showed antimicrobial activity and, when co-administered, was associated with improvements in these biochemical measures and inhibition of EMF-related testicular tissue damage on histology.

Outcomes measured

Antimicrobial activity against 8 bacterial strains
Male serum hormones (FSH, testosterone, LH)
Catalase (CAT) activity
Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels
Testicular histology / tissue damage

Limitations

Exposure described as "5.4 kV per meter of magnetic field" (unit/field type description is unclear in the abstract)
No quantitative results (effect sizes/variability) provided in the abstract
Animal study; generalizability to humans not addressed in the abstract
Details of randomization/blinding not described in the abstract

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "2 h or 4 h exposures; study duration 30 days"
  },
  "population": "Adult male albino rats (180–200 g; aged 2 months)",
  "sample_size": 60,
  "outcomes": [
    "Antimicrobial activity against 8 bacterial strains",
    "Male serum hormones (FSH, testosterone, LH)",
    "Catalase (CAT) activity",
    "Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels",
    "Testicular histology / tissue damage"
  ],
  "main_findings": "In rats, exposure to a 50 Hz electromagnetic field (reported as 5.4 kV per meter) for 2 h or 4 h was associated with decreased serum male hormones (FSH, testosterone, LH) and catalase activity, and increased MDA compared with controls. Rosemary ethanolic extract showed antimicrobial activity and, when co-administered, was associated with improvements in these biochemical measures and inhibition of EMF-related testicular tissue damage on histology.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Exposure described as \"5.4 kV per meter of magnetic field\" (unit/field type description is unclear in the abstract)",
    "No quantitative results (effect sizes/variability) provided in the abstract",
    "Animal study; generalizability to humans not addressed in the abstract",
    "Details of randomization/blinding not described in the abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "rosemary",
    "Rosmarinus",
    "ethanolic extract",
    "antimicrobial",
    "antioxidant",
    "50 Hz",
    "electromagnetic field",
    "ELF-EMF",
    "testicular damage",
    "FSH",
    "testosterone",
    "LH",
    "catalase",
    "malondialdehyde",
    "rats"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "occupational-exposure",
      "weight": 0.2,
      "reason": "Study involves 50 Hz ELF exposure, which is commonly relevant to power-frequency/occupational contexts, though the source is not specified."
    }
  ]
}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: 10.1007/s11356-020-08111-w
PubMed: 32086737

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