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KMID : 1134820190480020161
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Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
2019 Volume.48 No. 2 p.161 ~ p.169
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Ameliorating Effect of Trigonella foenum-graecum Seed Extract on Andropause Symptoms via Increased Testosterone
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Kim Hyung-Keun
Cha Kyu-Min
Kim Dong-Hyeon
Kim Hyung-Joong
Koo Na-Yeon
Oh Sung-Hoon
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Abstract
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Andropause and late-onset hypogonadism are followed by decreases in testosterone levels with age related to malfunction between cells constituting the testes, such as Leydig and Sertoli cells. Several clinical trials have suggested that testosterone replacement therapy would improve andropause symptoms; however, this could cause side effects such as cardiovascular diseases or benign prostatic hyperplasia. Therefore, alternative approaches such as regulating interactions between seminiferous tubules and interstitial compartments are needed. Testofenⓡ, a specialized Trigonella foenum-graecum seed extract, was previously shown to have clinical effects on andropause symptoms; however, the mechanisms of these effect were not examined. Herein, we revealed that T. foenum-graecum seed extract influences testosterone synthesis by lowering the levels of aromatase and 5α-reductase in vitro and in vivo and inducing secretion of follicle stimulating hormone, which is widely known as an activator of Leydig cells. In addition to lowering the levels of enzymes that degrade testosterone, T. foenum-graecum extract also increased 17β- and 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, which are known as testosterone synthases, resulting in increased testosterone synthesis in vivo. Furthermore, T. foenum-graecum reduced the andropuase effect by up-regulating bioavailable testosterone level with down-regulation of SHBG levels in serum. In correlation with increased testosterone levels, growth hormone, insulin-like growth factor 1 and progesterone secretion levels were enhanced and cortisol levels were decreased by T. foenum-graecum seed extract in vivo which induced spermatogenesis and sperm motility. Overall, the results of this study indicate that T. foenum-graecum seed extract has preventive and therapeutic effects on andropause that occur via modulation of the interaction between Leydig and Sertoli cells in old mouse and H2O2 treated-Leydig and Sertoli cells.
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KEYWORD
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Trigonella foenum-graecum seed extract, andropause, testosterone, aging
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