The effect of Tulbaghia violacea extracts on testosterone secretion by testicular cell cultures.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to determine the effect of Tulbaghia violacea Harv. on the male reproductive system in vitro by using testicular cell cultures. Tulbaghia violacea is a plant species indigenous to southern Africa and is used locally as a herbal remedy/medicine to treat several ailments.


METHODS
A 50% ethanol extract of Tulbaghia violacea was prepared. Three-month old male Balb/C mice were sacrificed and testicular cell cultures were prepared. Cells were then treated with varying concentrations of the Tulbaghia violacea ethanol extract (with/without Luteinizing hormone (LH)-treatment) and incubated for 4 h. Hormone production and cell viability were evaluated.


RESULTS
Treatment of cells with Tulbaghia violacea (312.5-5000 μg ml(-1)) significantly increased (P<0.05) LH-induced testosterone production as compared to vehicle-treated control (DMSO) whereas cells without LH-treatment showed no significant change in testosterone concentrations. No significant effect on cell viability was observed at all concentrations tested.


CONCLUSIONS
The data presented shows that Tulbaghia violacea has androgenic properties. Further studies are warranted to determine and clarify the exact mechanisms involved.
Ebrahim
Mozaffar
M
Department of Medical Biosciences, University of the Western Cape, Private Bag X17, Modderdam Road, Bellville 7535, South Africa.
Pool
Edmund John
EJ
D000818:Animals; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D020834:Ethnopharmacology; D019668:Liliaceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013019:South Africa; D013737:Testis / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D013739:Testosterone / Q000378:metabolism*
D010936:Plant Extracts; D013739:Testosterone; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone