Objectives: The antioxidative role of Galega officinalis extract has been reported in several studies. However, this experimental study was designed in order to investigate the impacts of G. officinalis extract against parameters, such as histological, hormonal, and oxidative stress parameters, which were induced by ovarian torsion/detorsion.

Materials and Methods: Adult female Wistar rats (n = 28) were randomly divided into 4 groups including sham (G1), ovarian torsion for 3 hours then-after detorsion (G2 or TD), ovarian torsion-detorsion orally received 50 mg/kg extract of G. officinalis (G3 or TDGO), healthy rats orally received 50 mg/kg hydroalcoholic extract of G. officinalis (G4 or GO). Ten days after torsion-detorsion, rats were sacrificed and their ovaries, and their blood levels of hormones including estrogen and testosterone, as well as some oxidative stress
markers were assayed.

Results: The structure of ovaries in TD groups of the study showed a notable change compared to other groups. The serum levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH), and also estrogen significantly decreased in TD group, while treatment with G. officinalis could prevent from decreasing mentioned parameters. Furthermore, although torsion-detorsion led to increasing the serum level of malondialdehyde (MDA), it was decreased after administration of G. officinalis.

Conclusions: Obtained results showed that G. officinalis could be useful in elevating the estrogen level, reducing the oxidative stress marker (i.e. MDA) and ovarian tissue damages induced by torsion-detorsion.