Therapeutic effect of Berberis vulgaris fruit extract on histopathological changes and oxidative stress markers of ovarian ischemia and reperfusion injury in rats

This study aimed to investigate the possible protective effect of berberine, the active compound of Berberis vulgaris plant extract, which has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, in an ovarian ischemia–reperfusion model by utilizing molecular, biochemical, and histopathological methods. In this experimental study, 42 adolescent female Sprague Dawley rats (6 weeks old) were divided into 7 equal groups. Under anesthesia, ischemia was induced by ligating the bilateral adnexal tissues, and after 3 h of ischemia, reperfusion was achieved by removing the adnexal ligation. Berberis vulgaris extract was administered by oral gavage 1 h after ischemia for the ischemia groups and 1 h before reperfusion for the ischemia + reperfusion groups. After 3 h of reperfusion, the experiment was terminated. The administration of Berberis vulgaris extract decreased the hemorrhagic areas, reduced the number of TUNEL-positive cells, and decreased CYC1 immunoreactivity levels in histopathological analysis compared to the groups subjected to ischemia or ischemia + reperfusion without the plant extract. CAT, SOD, and GSH increased due to Berberis vulgaris administration while MDA levels decreased. Berberis vulgaris also downregulated TNF-α levels compared to the ischemia and ischemia + reperfusion groups. Berberis vulgaris extract may have a protective effect against ovarian ischemia–reperfusion injury. Further molecular studies are needed to clarify this protective effect.