Abstract
BackgroundAndrogen deficiency is a clinical syndrome resulting from the inability of the testes to produce physiological levels of testosterone due to a disturbance occurring at one or more levels of the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the androgenic properties of aqueous and methanolic extracts of Ficus asperifolia on normal and castrated immature rats.MethodsNormal rats were treated either per os with aqueous or methanolic extract of Ficus asperifolia (100 mg/kg or 500 mg/kg b.w.), distilled water (10 ml/kg b.w.), 5% Tween 80 (10 ml/kg b.w.) or subcutaneously with testosterone propionate (0.5 mg/kg b.w.). Castrated rats were treated with plant extracts (100 mg/kg b.w. or 500 mg/kg b.w.) alone or with the co-administration of plant extracts and testosterone propionate (s.c., 0.5 mg/kg b.w.) or bicalutamide (2 mg/kg b.w. per os). Animals were treated once a day during four weeks. Body weight growth and relative sexual organ weights were recorded at the end of each treatment. Some biomedical parameters were measured in the plasma (proteins, cholesterol), testes (cholesterol) and epididymis (proteins).ResultsIn normal rats, Ficus asperifolia significantly (p < 0.05) increased the relative weights of the testes and all sexual-dependent organs whereas total testicular cholesterol concentration was significantly (p < 0.05) decreased. In castrated groups, treatment with Ficus asperifolia was followed by an increase in the sexual organ weights, epididymal protein and prostatic acid phosphatase concentrations. The co-administration of testosterone and plant extracts significantly (p < 0.05) increased the weight of accessory sexual organs and epididymal protein contents. In the presence of bicalutamide (an anti-androgen), the sexual stimulating activity of Ficus asperifolia was diminished with remarkable effects on vas deferens weight (p < 0.05), plasma (p < 0.01) and epididymal (p < 0.05) protein contents.ConclusionFicus asperifolia possesses androgen-like activity through possible stimulation of cytoplasmic and/or nuclear receptors by the bioactive compounds found in its extracts.
Highlights
Androgen deficiency is a clinical syndrome resulting from the inability of the testes to produce physiological levels of testosterone due to a disturbance occurring at one or more levels of the hypothalamicpituitary-testicular axis
It has been reported that Mondia whitei [10, 11], Bersama engleriana [12], alkaloids found in Alangium salviifolium [13] or saponins isolated from Tribulis terrestris [14] increase weight of the sex accessory organs and the concentrations of testosterone and tissue proteins
Effects of treatments on immature normal rats A daily subcutaneous injection of testosterone propionate (0.5 mg/kg b.w.) for 4 consecutive weeks was followed by a significant (p < 0.01) increase in body weight and relative weights of the accessory organs with an expressive effect on the seminal vesicles (p < 0.001) and a remarkable accumulation of testicular cholesterol (p < 0.001)
Summary
Androgen deficiency is a clinical syndrome resulting from the inability of the testes to produce physiological levels of testosterone due to a disturbance occurring at one or more levels of the hypothalamicpituitary-testicular axis. Testosterone replacement therapy has been found to be effective in restoration of these conditions [6]. These effects of testosterone in young and adult subjects can be prevented by several antiandrogens including finasteride, the 5-alpha reductase inhibitor [7] and bicalutamide, a non-specific antagonist androgen receptor [8]. The hormonal preparations currently used as a replacement therapy can produce adverse effects for instance on prostate gland, mammary gland, liver and cardiovascular functions [9]. A phytochemical with similar properties to that of the steroids that can bring about the changes necessary for restoration of general well-being, sexual interest and activity without producing the side effects will contribute significantly to the management of androgen deficiency. It has been reported that Mondia whitei [10, 11], Bersama engleriana [12], alkaloids found in Alangium salviifolium [13] or saponins isolated from Tribulis terrestris [14] increase weight of the sex accessory organs and the concentrations of testosterone and tissue proteins
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