The current study investigated the effect of Rheum ribes extracts alone or synergistically with zinc in the oxidative-antioxidatve status in semen of male rats exposed to oxidative stress with hydrogen peroxide (0.5%) and compared these effects with the role of vitamin E. 40 Male rats were used aged (12-14) weeks and weighed (130_220) g and randomly divided into (8) groups, 5 animals for each as follows:
1-Control group, 2-hydrogen peroxide group (H2O2 0.5%), 3-Ethanolic root extract of Rheum root + zinc (100 mg / kg bw) + H2O2, 4-ethanolic extract of Rheum root + vitamin E (500 mg / kg),+ H2O2,5-ethanolic extract of Rheum root (500 mg / kg bw) + H2O2,6-Zinc group (100 mg / kg body weight), 7-vitamin E 500 (mg/kg body weight), 8-ethanolic extract of Rheum roots. The results showed a significant increase (P≤0.05) in the level of malonadialdehyde (MDA) and a significant decrease in the levels of antioxidant enzymes, catalase enzyme (Cat), superoxide dismutase (SOD), reduced glutathione (GSH) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and total antioxidant level in semen. The treatment of rats exposed to hydrogen peroxide (0.5%) with the extract of the roots of the Rheum showed a significant decrease in the level of malonadialdehyde compared with the group of hydrogen peroxide and a significant increase in the levels of antioxidants enzymes in semen. The use of the extract synergistically with zinc sulphate (100 mg / kg bw) and vitamin E (500 mg / kg bw) showed similar results to the control group. Current results indicate the role of the alcoholic extract of the roots of the Rheum ribes plant in reducing the effects of oxidative stress and thus improve the function of the reproductive system in male rats