Oral Administration of Cassia Alata L. Leaves Ethanol Extract Prevented the Decrease of Leydig Cell Number but Did Not Decrease of Testosterone Level in Male Wistar Rats (Rattus Norvegicus) Exposed to Cell Phone Radiation

Background: In the modern world today, humans are often exposed to electromagnetic waves, especially those originating from cell phones. Cell phone electromagnetic radiation can trigger stress, thus causing the decrease of Leydig cells number and also the decrease of testosterone levels. Cassia alata L. leaves ethanol extract contains bioactive compounds such as flavonoids, phenols, tannins, and antioxidants. The purpose of this study was to prove oral administration of Cassia alataL. leaves ethanol extract prevents the decrease at Leydig cell number and the decrease of testosterone levelin male Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus) exposed to cell phone radiation. Methods: This study used a randomized posttest only control group design. Subjects were 36 white rats, male, Wistar strain, healthy, 6 months old, weight180-200gram, that were divided into two groups (18 rats/group). The control group was given a placebo (2 ml aquabidest) and exposed to cell phone radiation, the treatment group was given ethanol extract of Cassia alata L. leaves 2 mg/200 gr BB diluted in 2 ml aquabidest and exposed to a cell phone for 2 hours every day in 21 days. After treatment, the number of Leydig cells was examined histopathologically with HE staining and testosterone levels were examined by the ELISA method. Results: The results showed that the median number of Leydig cells in the control group was 12.7 (10.8-23.6) cells/field of view significantly lower compared with treatment group 27.9 (9.80-35.8) cells/field of view (pless than0.001). Testosterone levels in the control group 28.8 (14.7-37.1) nmol / L, did not significant difference with treatment group31.5 (16.8-38.4) nmol / L (p = 0.103). Conclusion: It can be concluded that oral administration of Cassia alataL. leaves ethanol extract prevented the decrease ofLeydig cell number but did not decreaseoftestosterone levelin male Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus) exposed to cell phone radiation.