Study on Efficacy Evaluation of Qili Huanshao Formula in Ameliorating Sex Hormone Disturbance and Oxidative Damage in Testicular of D-Galactose-Induced Subacute Aging Mice

  OBJECTIVE  To evaluate the effect and mechanism of Qili Huanshao Formula (QLHSF) in ameliorating sex hormone disturbance and oxidative damage in testicular tissues of D-galactose-induced subacute aging mice.

  METHODS  105 male mice were randomly divided into the normal group, model group, low, medium and high doses of QLHSF group, vitamin E (VE) group and Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan (JGSQW) group. The subacute senescence model was established by continuous intraperitoneal injection of D-galactose (D-gal) and treated by intragastric administration, as well. The testicular histopathological damage was detected by HE staining. The levels of relevant sex hormones in serum were detected by ELISA. The expression of oxidative stress factors was detected by related kits. The apoptotic cells in testicular tissue were detected by TUNEL assay, and the expressions of oxidative stress and apoptotic related proteins in the testicular tissues of mice were detected by Western blot.

  RESULTS  Compared to the aging model mice, all dose groups of QLHSF could obviously improve testicular tissue pathological damage. The levels of T, E₂ and GnRH levels were increased, while LH and FSH were decreased in serum (P < 0.01). Meanwhile, the SOD activity (P < 0.01) and the levels of GSH (P < 0.01) were increased, while MDA levels (P < 0.01) were decreased in serum and testicular tissues. The medium dose group of QLHSF significantly inhibited testicular cell apoptosis (P < 0.01), increased the expression of Nrf2, HO-1 protein and Bcl-2/Bax ratio(P < 0.05), and down-regulated the expressions of Cleaved-Caspase-3/Caspase-3, Cleaved-Caspase-9/Caspase-9 apoptotic protein in the testis of mice (P < 0.05).

  CONCLUSION  QLHSF can effectively improve sex hormone disturbance and protect testicular tissue in aging mice, and the mechanism of action might be related to the inhibition of oxidative stress-induced apoptosis in testicular tissues. The study will provide reference and lay the foundation for the clinical application and functional anti-aging product development of Lycium barbarum and its formulations.