World J Mens Health.  2019 Jan;37(1):105-112. 10.5534/wjmh.180051.

Effect of Korean Herbal Formula (Modified Ojayeonjonghwan) on Androgen Receptor Expression in an Aging Rat Model of Late Onset Hypogonadism

• Choi SW
• Jeon SH
• Kwon EB
• Zhu GQ
• Lee KW
• Choi JB
• Jeong HC
• Kim KS
• Bae SR
• Bae WJ
• Kim SJ
• Cho HJ
• Ha US
• Hong SH
• Hwang SY
• Kim SW

• KMID: 2429728
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5534/wjmh.180051

Abstract

PURPOSE
Testosterone replacement therapy is an effective treatment for late-onset hypogonadism (LOH) despite a few contraindications and side-effects. The aim of this study was to determine whether modified Ojayeonjonghwan (KH-204, Korean herbal formula) improved LOH. KH-204 is a strong antioxidant herbal formula. We evaluated the effect of Korean herbal prescription on androgen receptor (AR) expression in an aged rat model of LOH.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Eighteen-month-old rats were used as aged LOH rat models. Eighteen Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three equal groups of six animals each and treated with one of the following: 1) normal control group (oral administration with distilled water, n=6), 2) KH-204 200 group (oral administration with 200 mg/kg of KH-204, n=6), and 3) KH-204 400 group (oral administration with 400 mg/kg of KH-204, n=6). After four weeks of treatment (once daily, distilled water or KH-204), serum testosterone levels, changes in testicular and epididymal weight, Western blotting analysis of AR expression and measurement of oxidative stress were examined.
RESULTS
Treatment with the herbal formulation KH-204 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg (1) increased the weights of testis and epididymis; (2) increased the level of serum testosterone; (3) increased the level of superoxide dismutase and reduced the level of 8-hydroxy-20-deoxyguanosine; and (4) upregulated AR expression in testicular tissue.
CONCLUSIONS
KH-204 might be an effective alternative for LOH. It improves antioxidant mechanisms and increases testicular AR expression without side-effects.

Keyword

Hypogonadism; Phytotherapy; Receptors, androgen; Testosterone

MeSH Terms

Aging*
Animals
Blotting, Western
Epididymis
Hypogonadism*
Male
Models, Animal*
Oxidative Stress
Phytotherapy
Prescriptions
Rats*
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
Receptors, Androgen*
Superoxide Dismutase
Testis
Testosterone
Water
Weights and Measures
Receptors, Androgen
Superoxide Dismutase
Testosterone
Water

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Effects of KH-204 on serum testosterone levels (n=6/group). All values represent mean±standard deviation, *p<0.05 compared with control group.

• 

  Fig. 2 Comparison of expression levels of oxidative stress markers as reflected by superoxide dismutase (SOD) (A) and 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) (B). All values are mean±standard deviation, *p<0.005 compared with control group.

• 

  Fig. 3 Western blots for expression of androgen receptor (AR) of KH-204 and control groups in male Sprague-Dawley rat testis and prostate tissue. In this figure, panel A and B show testis, whereas panel C and D present prostate data. Data are expressed as means. *Statistical significance in comparison with control group.

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