OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of the Chinese herbal medicines Fructus Lycii and Radix Astragali on the function of the Sertoli cells in the rat testis and their mechanisms.

METHODSSertoli cells from the testes of the SD rats aged 18 - 22 days were isolated and cultured. The effects of Fructus Lycii, Radix Astragali and the combined administration of the two on the proliferation of Sertoli cells in vitro were detected by MTT assay, and their effects on the level of INHbetaB mRNA transcription in Sertoli cells in vitro were investigated in both normal environment and peroxide-damaging environment by RT-PCR.

RESULTSThe proliferation of Sertoli cells was promoted by either Fructus Lycii or Radix Astragali at high concentration (P < 0.05), and significantly promoted by the combined administration at high concentration (P <0.01). Sertoli cell INHbetaB transcription was significantly up-regulated by Fructus Lycii, Radix Astragali and their combined administration in vitro (P < 0.01). When the level of INHbetaB mRNA in Sertoli cells significantly dropped (P < 0.01) in the presence of injury induced by peroxide (H2O2), it could be elevated by Radix Astragali (P < 0.05) and significantly up-regulated by Fructus Lycii or the combined administration in vitro (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONFructus Lycii, Radix Astragali and the combined administration of the two could promote and protect INHbetaB mRNA in Sertoli cells in vitro.