THE EFFECTS OF ETHANOL EXTRACT OF MARIGOLD LEAVES (Tagetes erecta) ON THE TESTOSTERONE LEVEL OF MALE MICE (Mus musculus) EXPOSED TO CIGARETTE SMOKE

Abstract

Cigarette smoke contains oxidant molecules and substances such as nicotine, lead, cadmium, and arsenic that, if inhaled daily, will be involved in the pathogenic of oxidative stress which result in vasoconstriction and affects the hypothalamic feedback mechanism, which plays a vital role in the steroidogenesis process. Marigold leaves (Tagetes erecta) are plants with antioxidant properties rich in flavonoids, alkaloids, and saponins. This study aimed to ascertain the protective effect of Leydig cells and testosterone, given the ethanol extract of marigold leaves (Tagetes erecta) on male mice exposed to cigarette smoke. This study was experimental laboratory research utilizing randomized post-test-only control design. The treatment groups, consisting of male mice exposed to cigarette smoke, was given ethanol extract of marigold leaves orally with stratified doses of 0.25 g/kg body weight, 0.5 g/kg body weight, and 1 g/kg body weight, respectively. In contrast, the mice in the control group (-) were not exposed to anything and the control group (+) were only given cigarette smoke. Parameters related to testosterone levels was measured using ELISA kits. The data obtained were analyzed and considered significant if p < 0.05. This study showed a statistically significant difference in the increase of Leydig cells (p = 0.0087) and testosterone levels (p = 0.019) in the control group of mice exposed to cigarette smoke. There was a significant increase in testosterone levels in mice given 0.25 g/kg body weight of marigold leave ethanol extract.