The effect of Sasa borealis on improving andropause symptoms by upregulating testicular steroidogenesis in testosterone deficiency models, in vitro and in vivo

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of Sasa borealis 30 % ethanol extract (SBE) on andropause. In TM3 Leydig cells, SBE significantly increased testosterone (T) levels lowered by oxidative stress. SBE also increased the mRNA expressions of 3β-HSD, 17β-HSD, and CYP17A1 enzymes, which transform cholesterol into T. Next, for the T-deficient animal models, 23-week-old male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were divided into groups of three subjects each: OLD, SB100 (SBE 100 mg/kg BW/day), SB300 (SBE 300 mg/kg BW/day), and YOUNG (7-week-old normal control group). The doses used in this study are within the range of previously reported animal studies using oral administration. The SB300 group showed higher serum T levels compared to the OLD group, while simultaneously enhancing testicular steroidogenesis. The SBE-treated groups showed increased muscle mass, sperm count, and grip strength. Tricin, a phenolic compound in SBE, that significantly increased T production in TM3 cells. We conclude that SBE could improve andropause by increasing the T levels, regulating T synthesis, and alleviating physiological symptoms. • Sasa borealis 30 % ethanol extract (SBE) increases testosterone (T) level in TM3 mouse Leydig cells. • SBE markedly raised the serum T in 23-week-old male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats, the T-deficient animal models. • SBE regulates T synthesis by increasing the mRNA expression of enzymes, which convert cholesterol into T. • Tricin, a phenolic compound in the SBE that significantly increased T production.