title: Cistanches herba induces testis cytotoxicity in male mice.
abstract: We investigated the effects of Cistanches herba (CH) on the male reproductive system in mice, assessing CREM gene expression and spermatogenesis. Our results demonstrate that CH treatment lead to a significant decrease in sperm count dose-dependently, 298.3 ± 48.9 vs. 296.6 ± 102.4 (250 mg/kg), 236.7 ± 75.1 (500 mg/kg), 223.0 ± 48.7 × 10(6) (1000 mg/kg), respectively. Additionally, serum testosterone levels decreased following CH treatment to as low as ~57% compared with the vehicle-treated group. CREM gene expression was also down-regulated following CH treatment and histological examination of the testicular seminiferous tubules showed severe damage on CH treatment. These results suggest that CH induces cytotoxicity in the male reproductive system, through the inhibition of spermatogenesis, testicular damage, and limited hormonal function.
authors: Department of Prescriptionology, College of Oriental Medicine, Kyung Hee University, 1 Hoegi-dong, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, 130-701, Republic of Korea.
authors: San Woong
authors: SW
authors: Kim
authors: Seung Hyeong
authors: SH
authors: Yoo
authors: Hee Jae
authors: HJ
authors: Lee
authors: Kyudam
authors: K
authors: Kim
authors: Do Rim
authors: DR
authors: Kim
authors: Seong Kyu
authors: SK
authors: Park
authors: Mun Seog
authors: MS
authors: Chang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D031671:Cistanche; D051786:Cyclic AMP Response Element Modulator / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D003603:Cytotoxins / Q000633:toxicity*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000633:toxicity*; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers / Q000633:toxicity; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000633:toxicity; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000187:drug effects; D013737:Testis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D013739:Testosterone / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: C497411:Crem protein, mouse; D003603:Cytotoxins; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D051786:Cyclic AMP Response Element Modulator; D013739:Testosterone