Author:
Li Zihan,Yang Ping,Xue Shan,Yuan Shijun,Yuan Lin,Yan Renyi,Tang Ding,Li Juan
Abstract
AbstractEucommia ulmoides staminate flowers (EUF), a newly approved functional food in China, have great potential for hormonal regulation. Herein, we aim to demonstrate the chemical composition and pharmacological activity of EUF in testosterone production and hormonal regulation. EUF extract and its components, kaempferol and geniposidic acid, exhibited a strong stimulating effect by increasing testosterone secretion, reducing ROS production, or promoting viability in Leydig cells. Meanwhile, the increased testosterone production was related to the upregulation of mRNA and protein expression of the steroidogenic pathway, such as steroidogenic acute-regulatory protein (StAR), 3β -hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (HSD3B1), 17α-hydroxylase/17,20-lyase (CYP17A1), and nuclear receptor subfamily 5 group A member 1 (NR5A1). However, PKA inhibitor H89 or adenylyl cyclase inhibitor SQ22536 could block their effect. The results of transgenic yeast models showed the androgenic agonistic effects of kaempferol and naringenin and the estrogenic agonistic effects of rutin. These results indicated that the testosterone promotional effect of EUF was related to the activation of the steroidogenic pathway and potential hormonal regulation. Kaempferol and geniposidic acid might be the key active ingredients.
Funder
Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Occurrence and Intervention of Rheumatic Diseases
China Postdoctoral Science Foundation
Key project at central government level
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Reference34 articles.
1. Wang, Y. et al. Comparative evaluation of hydrothermal carbonization and low temperature pyrolysis of Eucommia ulmoides oliver for the production of solid biofuel. Sci. Rep. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-38849-4 (2019).
2. Wu, D. et al. Metabolite profiles, bioactivity, and HPLC fingerprint of different varieties of Eucommia ulmoides Oliv.: Towards the utilization of medicinal and commercial Chinese endemic tree. Molecules 23, 1898–1914. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules23081898 (2018).
3. Zhang, W. H., Liu, Z. L., Qi, Y. C. & Dong, H. S. Effect of aqueous extract from Eucommia ulmoides on levels of testosterone in serum and penile tissues of diabetic rats. Chin. J. Hum. Sex. 11, 7–8 (2004).
4. Kim, H. Y., Moon, B. H., Lee, H. J. & Choi, D. H. Flavonol glycosides from the leaves of Eucommia ulmoides O. with glycation inhibitory activity. J. Ethnopharmacol. 93, 227–230. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2004.03.047 (2004).
5. NHC National Health Commission. National Health Commission Announcement on the approval of six new food raw materials including chitooligosaccharide etc (2014).