Effects of aqueous extracts of "betel quid" and its constituents on testosterone production by dispersed mouse interstitial cells
Journal
American Journal of Chinese Medicine
Journal Volume
32
Journal Issue
5
Pages
705-715
Date Issued
2004
Author(s)
Abstract
Betel quid (BQ) is a favorite chewing item among many communities in different parts of Asia where it is popular by different names. BQ is a unique combination of nut or fruit from the Areca catechu Linn. (AN) tree, leaf from the Piper betle Linn. (BL) vine, slaked lime, paste of bark from the Acacia catechu tree and other spices. AN has been used successfully in various traditional medicines by different civilizations over several ages. Initially condemned by the medical communities for its health hazards, identification and application of potent pharmacologically bioactive compounds from different constituents of BQ have rekindled growing interest in related investigations. Curious about the stimulating role of BQ, we investigated the potential steroidogenic activity of hot water extract from BQ and its constituents and arecoline on testosterone producing ability in an in vitro experiment. Enzyme dissociated interstitial cells from adult mouse testes (ICR strain) were cultured with/without different doses of the extracts and the level of testosterone produced was assayed by an enzyme immunoassay (EIA) technique. It was found that at lower doses of arecoline, AN and BL extracts had significantly stimulated testosterone production over the basal level (p < 0.05). BQ extract, on the other hand, did not show any significant effect on testosterone production. Combinations of arecoline at low doses with 10 ng/ml ovine leutinizing hormone (oLH) showed increases in testosterone produced, while cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) co-culture showed dose-related inhibition. Our current finding hints at the possible dose-dependent dualistic role of AN and BL extracts and arecoline for testosterone production employing possible non-cAMP-dependent pathway of steroidogenesis. However, the identity of the active compounds besides arecoline and the exact mechanism involved remains to be further investigated. ? 2004 World Scientific Publishing Company. Institute for Advanced Research in Asian Science and Medicine.
SDGs
Other Subjects
acacia catechu extract; Areca catechu extract; arecoline; betel extract; Chinese drug; cyclic AMP; hot water; luteinizing hormone; plant extract; testosterone; unclassified drug; arecoline; cholinergic receptor stimulating agent; cyclic AMP; herbaceous agent; testosterone; Acacia; acacia catechu; animal cell; animal cell culture; animal tissue; aqueous solution; article; betel quid; coculture; controlled study; dose response; drug activity; drug isolation; drug mechanism; enzyme immunoassay; experimentation; hormonal regulation; hormone inhibition; in vitro study; Leydig cell; low drug dose; male; mouse; mouse strain; nonhuman; statistical significance; steroidogenesis; testis cell; testosterone synthesis; animal; comparative study; drug effect; Institute for Cancer Research mouse; metabolism; nut; Animals; Arecoline; Cholinergic Agonists; Cyclic AMP; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Immunoenzyme Techniques; Leydig Cells; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred ICR; Nuts; Testosterone
Type
journal article