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

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Urology, Yeouido St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea. ksw1227@catholic.ac.kr
  • 2Department of Urology, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
  • 3Department of Urology, Bucheon St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
  • 4Department of Urology, Kangdong Sacred Heart Hospital, College of Medicine, Hallym University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
  • 5Department of Urology, Incheon St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
  • 6Department of Urology, Uijeongbu St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
  • 7Catholic Integrative Medicine Research Institute, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
  • 8Department of Urology, Wonju Severance Christian Hospital, Yeonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju, Korea.
  • 9KEMIMEDI, Seoul, Korea.

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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Hyun Cheol Jeong, Woong Jin Bae, Guan Qun Zhu, Seung Hwan Jeon, Sae Woong Choi, Su Jin Kim, Hyuk Jin Cho, Sung-Hoo Hong, Ji Youl Lee, Sung Yeoun Hwang, Sae Woong Kim
Investig Clin Urol. 2019;60(4):285-294.    doi: 10.4111/icu.2019.60.4.285.


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