الفهرس 
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Abstract
Aging is a complex process leading to functional decline that affects every organ and tissue. This study aimed to investigate the effect of aging on immune reproductive function, oxidative stress parameters, and the beneficial effects of Echinacea purpurea (EP) root extract in male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Rats were randomly divided into three groups (n= 25/group): control-young, control-old (administered only saline), and old-treated groups (orally administered EP once daily for one week, followed by two weeks without treatment for 12 successive months. The results showed that the survival rate, sperm count, and motility were enhanced by EP treatment, while the percentage of sperm abnormalities declined. Treatment with EP boosted serum levels of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and testosterone. Blood levels of immunoglobulins G (IgG) and D (IgD) were also ameliorated by EP treatment. Serum levels of antioxidant enzymes, interleukin-2 (IL-2), interleukin-10 (IL-10), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), were increased by EP treatment, whereas malondialdehyde (MDA), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels were decreased. The mRNA expression levels of caspase-3 in the testes and spleen were increased in the control-old group, and EP treatment decreased them. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha (PGC-1α) and Sirtuin-1(SIRT-1) mRNA expression levels declined in the control-old and old-treated groups. The morphology of the reproductive (testes, epididymis) and immune tissues (spleen, thymus, and bone marrow) was improved by EP treatment. In conclusion, the administration of EP root extract ameliorates the unfavorable effects of aging by its anti-inflammatory and antioxidative properties.