Purpose: This study was planned to determine the effects of carob use on puberty because of the observation of early puberty or pubertal variants due to the long-term use of carob in our clinic.

Methods: Forty-eight Wistar albino rats, on postnatal day 21, were assigned into two groups female (n=24) and male (n=24). Groups were divided into four groups Control, Carob-150, Carob-300, and Carob-600. Ceratonia Siliqua L. extract was given to rats in a 0.5% carboxymethylcellulose(CMC) solution. Carboxymethylcellulose (0.5 %) was given to the Control, Ceratonia Siliqua L. extract was given 150 mg/kg/day to the Carob-150, 300 mg/kg/day to the Carob-300, 600 mg/kg/day to the Carob-600 by oral gavage. The treatments were performed once daily until the first sign of puberty. Serum FSH, LH, Estradiol, Total Testosterone, Leptin, Glutathione, Glutathione peroxidase, and Malondialdehyde were studied with rat kits by the ELISA method. Testis, uterus and ovary tissue were examined histologically.

Results: The median time of preputial separation in male rats were 38th-31st-31st-31st days, Control, Carob-150, Carob-300, and Carob-600 (p=0.004). The median time of the vaginal opening day in female rats were 39th-31st-34th-31st days in the Control, Carob-150, Carob-300, and Carob-600 (p=0.059). FSH-LH-Testosterone(male)-Estradiol(female)-Leptin levels of groups are similar (p>0.05). Glutathione peroxidase levels were higher in the groups given C. Siliqua extract compared to the Control in both male (p=0.001) and female groups (p=0.008). Testicular and ovarian tissues were concordant with the pubertal period in all groups. As the dose of CS increased, it induced spermatogenesis and spermiogenesis, causing abnormal changes such as ondulation in the basement membrane, capillary dilatation, and increased congestion in male. Edema in the medulla gradually increased with increased dosage, and granulosa cell connections were separated in Carob-300 and Carob-600 in female.

Conclusion: Our study demonstrated that C. siliqua caused early puberty and increased spermiogenesis and folliculogenesis. We discovered that antioxidant mechanisms might affect this. Further, it may cause tissue damage at high doses.