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

Aim: 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. 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. Results: 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. Conclusion: Berberis vulgaris extract may have a protective effect against ovarian ischemia–reperfusion injury. Further molecular studies are needed to clarify this protective effect.