Abstract: Cistanche tubulosa is an official plant grows in arid or semi-arid areas. Cistanche extracts protect against sperm damage in mice under BPA induced reproductive damage [1, 2]; Echinacoside (ECH) is one of the major active compounds of Cistanche. This study investigated protective effects of ECH against oligoasthenospermia in rat and identified the interaction between ECH and androgen receptor (AR). METHODS Pharmacodynamics experiment was studied with six groups of mice with different ECH dosages and positive reference drug. In ECH distribution assay, mice were divided into ten groups, ECH (20 mg/kg) was administered orally and the mice in each group were anesthetized for sample collection. ECH distribution in brain, testis, and serum was assayed by HPLC, quantity, and quality of sperms was evaluated and hormone levels were determined by radio immunosorbent assay. The AR levels and key steroidogenic-related genes were determined by Western blot and qPCR. The ECH-AR interactions were evaluated by fluorescence localization assay, indirect ELISA, and molecular docking. RESULTS ECH significantly alleviated the BPA-induced reproductive damage by increasing testicular superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) and glutathione (GSH); as well as by reducing serum malondialdehyde (MDA). ECH also play role in the sperm count and motility compared to the BPA-treated group. ECH combined with hypothalamic AR in the pocket of Met-894 and Val-713 to inhibit the transfer of AR from the cytoplasm to nuclei in the hypothalamus. While negative feedback of sex hormone regulation was inhibited, positive feedback was stimulated to increase the secretion of luteinizing hormone and testosterone subsequently enhancing sperm quantity. [3].
Keywords: Echinacoside; Cistanche tubulosa; oligoasthenospermi; Antrogen Receptor; Bisphenol A
[1] Wang T, Zhang X. Pharm Biol. 2016; 54 (3):481-7.
[2] Jiang Z, Zhang X. J Ethnopharmacol. 2016; 193:321-328.
[3] Jiang Z, Zhang X. Sci Rep. 2018; 8(1):3839.
