Background: Achillea millefolium or yarrow is a native plant in Europe and Iran. Yarrow has been used as a medicine historically, mainly because of its astringent effects. It is reported to be associated with the treatment of several ailments. Nowadays use of plants for medical purpose has become very common. Achillea millefolium L, Yarrow, is being used in traditional and modern medicine due to various chemical compounds. Considering the importance of birth control, finding a drug with less side effects inhibiting spermatogenesis seems to be necessary. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of ethanol extract of Achillea millefolium L. on spermato-genesis of male wistar rats.
Methods: In this study, 32 adult male wistar rats were used. The animals were divided to four groups of eight rats. The first group, received 200 mg/kg Achillea millefolium L. interaperitoneally, the second and third groups received 400, 800 mg/kg Achillea millefolium L. interaperitoneally, respectively. In the fourth group (control) distilled water was administered. After 20 days, the rats were sacrificed and testis tissues were histologically evaluated.
Results: Comparing to control group, in the experimental groups received the high doses of the extract, thickening of seminiferous tubules basement membrane, loss of germinal epithelium and testicular hyperemia were demonstrated (P<0.001).
Conclusion: Based on the results, high concentrations of Achillea millefolium L. leaded to structural and spermatogenesis changes in testis tissue.