EFFECT OF NATURAL PLANT EXTRACTS ON PORCINE OVARIAN FUNCTIONS

Abstract

This report provides information about the impact of chosen natural plant extracts on basic ovarian functions. This article summarizes our results concerning the effect of selected plant extracts on proliferation, apoptosis and hormone secretion – release of progesterone (P4), testosterone (T) and leptin (L) on porcine granulosa cells (GC), We analyzed effects of ginkgo (GB), rooibos (RB), flaxseed (FL), green tea polyphenols (GTPP), green tea - epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), resveratrol (RSV) and curcumin (CURC) (0; 1; 10 and 100 μg.ml-1) on markers of proliferation, apoptosis and secretory activity of porcine ovarian granulosa cells by using immunocytochemistry and EIA. It was demonstrated, that all these natural plants and plant molecules inhibited the accumulation of proliferation-related peptide (PCNA) and apoptosis-associated peptide (Bax) in cultured. Furthermore, it was observed that natural plant extracts altered progesterone, testosterone and leptin release in porcine ovarian cells. It is concluded, that GB, RB, FL, RSV, CURC, GTPP and EGCG can directly affect ovarian cells and therefore they could potentially influence ovarian functions.