Investigation the effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Acanthophyllum on Leydig cell gens expression (SF1 and LHCGR) and serum level of testosterone hormone in adult rats

Abstract

Infertility is one of the problems of human society. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 10-15 percent of couples have experienced infertility, of which 40 percent are related to the male factor. Medicinal herbs are widely used to treat male infertility. Studies have shown that herbs significantly increase the quality and quantity of sperm. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of Acanthophyllum on gene expression associated Leydig cell (SF1 and LHCGR) and serum level of testosterone hormone in adult rats Material and Methods: In this experimental study, 12 wistar rats were used and randomly divided into 2 groups (n=6): the first group; sham: that intake normal saline recipient for 8 weeks; grpup2: that treated with hydrochloric extract of Acanthophyllum 100 mg / kg daily for 8 weeks. At the end of the study, blood samples were taken to test the serum testosterone level, and the testicles were removed and the amount of expression of genes for testicular leydig cells (SF1) and (LHCGR) was examined. Results: Statistical analysis showed that the level of testosterone in the extract group was significantly increased compared to sham and the expression of LHCGR and SF1 in the testes of the rats treated with Chubak extract was higher than the control group. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that Hydroalcoholic extract of Acanthophyllum could increase testosterone levels and also increase the expression of LHCGR and SF1 in testicles. Keywords: Testosterone, LHCGR, SF1, Acanthophyllum, Rat.