Effect of traditional herbal medicine, shakuyaku-kanzo-to on total and free serum testosterone levels.
The effect of the traditional herbal medicine, Shakuyaku-Kanzo-To (SK), which contains Shakuyaku (S) and Kanzo (K) in equal amounts, on serum testosterone levels was investigated in androgen-sterilized rats. They were given orally SK [0, 22.5, 45, 90 and 180 mg/kg body weight (b.w.)] and S or K (0, 11.25, 22.5, 40 and 90 mg/kg b.w.) in 2 ml of water daily for 2 weeks. Dose-dependent decreases in free serum testosterone (T) levels were found in the administration of SK. Total serum T levels in the administration of SK and S decreased in a dose-dependent manner. K decreased total serum T levels slightly in 11.5 and 22.5 mg/kg doses but showed the dose-dependent increase in much higher doses, the extent of which was much less than that of the decrease in S. Serum estradiol/T (E2/T) ratios were significantly elevated in 45 to 180 mg/kg doses of SK, 90 mg/kg dose of S and 11.25 to 90 mg/kg doses of K. Serum LH and FSH levels were not changed by SK, S and K. Oophorectomized rats were similarly given SK (0, 90 and 180 mg/kg b.w.) and S or K (the half doses of SK). There were no changes in serum T, LH and FSH levels in all given doses. Thus, one of the mechanisms for SK to lower serum T levels is the direct action on the ovary to stimulate the aromatase activity, resulting in decreasing the T secretion and this is the additive effects of S and K.
Takeuchi
T
T
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Mejirodai, Japan.
Nishii
O
O
Okamura
T
T
Yaginuma
T
T
D000818:Animals; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D010052:Ovariectomy; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013245:Sterilization, Reproductive; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood*
D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D013739:Testosterone; D004958:Estradiol; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone