BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Terfezia Boudieri (TB), has flavonoids and antioxidant compounds. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible effects of ethanol extracts of TB on serum levels of estrogen and progesterone in adult female rat.

METHODS: 35 female Wistar rats were used in this experimental study. Animals weighing 180 ± 20 g were divided into 5 groups (each group consisted of7 rats. normal control group with no treatment, sham group received normal saline and experimental groups (1,2,3groups) were injected i.p. with 110, 220 and 330 mg/kg of TB for 14 days respectively. All groups at the end of the 14th day were bled and the sex hormones estrogen and progesterone hormone levels were measured.

FINDINGS: According to the results of serum levels of progesterone and estrogen, 220 mg/kg extract of TB (16±0.75), estrogen concentrations increased compared with the control group (12.2±0.98) and sham (12±1.14) (p<0.01). Also 220 mg/kg of TB (39.1±1.55) compared to controls (15±0.83) and sham (15.1±1.2) increased significantly (p<0.01).

CONCLUSION: The results of this study showed that TB can increase significantly the serum levels of estrogen and progesterone.