Yukmijihwang-tang protects against cyclophosphamide-induced reproductive toxicity

Reprod Toxicol. 2007 Nov-Dec;24(3-4):365-70. doi: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2007.05.007. Epub 2007 May 18.

Abstract

A side effect of cyclophosphamide (CP), an alkylating agent widely used to treat tumors and autoimmune disorders, is the alteration of male reproductive function. Yukmijihwang-tang (YJT) is a multi-herbal medicinal formula that has been used in traditional Asian medicine to treat male reproductive problems. In this study, we investigated the effects of YJT on CP-induced reproductive toxicities in rat testes. Eight-week-old male Wistar rats were divided into three groups: vehicle-treated (control), CP-treated and CP+YJT-treated groups. CP was administered for the first 7 days (20 mg/kg/day, p.o.), and YJT was administered for 56 days consecutively (1.0 g/kg/day, p.o.). The CP-treated group showed significant decreases in the weight of the testes, epididymal sperm count and sperm motility compared to the control group, while the CP+YJT-treated group had significant increases for these variables compared to the CP-treated group. The enhancement of lipid peroxidation by CP in the rat testes was reduced by YJT treatment. CP diminished the expression of cAMP-responsive element modulator (CREM), a transcription factor that is highly expressed in male germ cells and is crucial to post-meiotic germ cell differentiation. YJT restored CREM at both the mRNA and protein levels. These results suggest that YJT has a protective effect against CP-induced reproductive toxicities by inhibiting the increases in lipid peroxidation and enhancing CREM expression.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating / toxicity*
  • Cyclic AMP Response Element Modulator / genetics
  • Cyclic AMP Response Element Modulator / metabolism
  • Cyclophosphamide / toxicity*
  • Gene Expression / drug effects
  • Lipid Peroxidation / drug effects
  • Male
  • Medicine, East Asian Traditional
  • Organ Size / drug effects
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology*
  • Plants, Medicinal*
  • Protective Agents / pharmacology*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Sperm Count
  • Sperm Motility
  • Testis / drug effects*
  • Testis / metabolism
  • Testis / pathology
  • Testosterone / blood

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating
  • Crem protein, rat
  • Plant Extracts
  • Protective Agents
  • Cyclic AMP Response Element Modulator
  • Testosterone
  • Cyclophosphamide