AIMTo find an in vitro system for the measurement of the androgenic effects of different extracts of Hibiscus macranthus (Malvaceae) and Basella alba (Basellaceae).

METHODSThe production of testosterone from testes slices incubated in two media, either Krebs-Henseleit buffer containing 0.5% Bovine serum albumin (BSA) or Dubecco's Modified Eagle's medium-F12 Ham nutrient mixture (DME/Ham F12), under a mixture of 5% CO2 in 95% air was determined either in the presence or absence of cofactors and Hibiscus macranthus plus Basella alba (HMBA) extracts.

RESULTSThe testosterone production was increased in testes slices incubated in DME/Ham F12 medium in response to the cofactors (49%) and aqueous extracts (34%-60% according to dilutions). Under the same atmospheric conditions, there was no positive response of the testes slices to either cofactor or HMBA extract stimulation in Krebs-Henseleit buffer containing 0.5% BSA. In further investigations related to the effect of HMBA, the DME/Ham F12 medium was used. The results obtained from the in vitro test showed that the activity was present mainly in methylene chloride and methanol, since these extracts induced an increase in testosterone production by testes slices.

CONCLUSIONThe testes slice system is suitable to be used for further in vitro investigations of the isolation of androgenic bioactive components of plants.

Animals ; Hibiscus ; chemistry ; In Vitro Techniques ; Magnoliopsida ; chemistry ; Male ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Testis ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Testosterone ; biosynthesis

AIMTo determine the androgenic effects of Basella alba and Hibiscus macranthus extracts in the rat and the bull, and to develop a novel in vitro test system using Leydig cells from bull testes.

METHODSThe effect of methanol extracts from both plants on testosterone production in isolated Leydig cells from the rat and the bull was analyzed using 125I-radioimmunoassay (125I-RIA). Rat Leydig cells were obtained by common methods, whereas a novel technique was used to purify Leydig cells from bull testes.

RESULTSBull testes from the slaughter house were a cheap source of pure Leydig cells. In culture, these cells produced testosterone for 5-6 days, which can be stimulated by human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG). Basella alba extracts significantly enhanced testosterone production in bull and rat Leydig cells in a concentration-dependent manner. Hibiscus macranthus showed no androgenic effect but was shown to inhibit testosterone production at higher concentrations.

CONCLUSIONLeydig cells purified from bull testes can be used as an alternative tool in experimental animal research. Certain fractions of Basella alba extract demonstrated androgenic potential whereas Hibiscus macranthus extracts did not.

Animals ; Cattle ; Cells, Cultured ; Hibiscus ; Iodine Radioisotopes ; Leydig Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Male ; Methanol ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; Plants, Edible ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Solvents ; Testosterone ; biosynthesis

AIMTo determine the effect of the aqueous extract of Mondia whitei (Periplocaceae) roots on testosterone production and fertility of male rats.

METHODSAdult male Wistar rats were used. In the acute study, 20 rats were randomly divided into 5 groups of 4 animals each. Four treated groups were administered orally a single dose of Mondia whitei (400 mg/kg) and the controls received a similar amount of distilled water. One group of animals were sacrificed by cervical dislocation 1, 2, 4 and 6 h after treatment, respectively. The controls were sacrificed at 6 h. Testicular testosterone was determined by radioimmunoassay. In the chronic study, 28 rats were divided at random into 4 groups of 7 animals each: Groups 1, 2 and 3 were given orally the plant extract (400 mg.kg(-1).day(-1)) for 2, 4 and 8 days, respectively. The animals of Groups 1 and 2 were sacrificed 24 hours after the last dosing. The controls (Group 4) received the same amount of distilled water for 8 days. The fertility was assessed only in Groups 3 and 4 and after that, the animals were sacrificed and the epididymal sperm density, the serum testosterone and the testicular testosterone and 17 beta-estradiol were assayed. The serum, testicular and epidydimal protein contents were also determined.

RESULTSIn the acute treatment groups, the serum and testicular concentrations of testosterone remained unchanged at all the time points. Chronic treatment for 8 days induced a significant increase in the testicular weight, the serum and testicular testosterone, the testicular protein content and the sperm density (P < 0.05-0.01), but did not affect the accessory gland weights, the serum protein contents, the testicular concentration of 17beta -estradiol and the fertility compared to the controls.

CONCLUSIONMondia whitei root extract possesses an androgenic property.

Androgens ; Animals ; Fertility ; drug effects ; Gentiana ; Male ; Organ Size ; drug effects ; Phytotherapy ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; Plant Roots ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Sperm Count ; Testis ; drug effects ; Testosterone ; blood