Improvement in Testosterone Production by for the Alleviation of Andropause Symptoms.

has a number of beneficial effects, including protective effects against age-related disorders. In this study, the effects of on testosterone production and andropause symptoms were evaluated. We first treated TM3 mouse Leydig cells, responsible for testosterone production, with aqueous extract at different concentrations. In TM3 cells, the testosterone concentration increased in a concentration-dependent manner compared with those in the control. In addition, at 400 μg/mL extract, the mRNA expression level of the steroidogenic enzyme was increased. Subsequently, 23-week-old Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats exhibiting an age-related reduction in serum testosterone (approximately 80% lower than that in 7-week-old SD rats) were administered aqueous extract for 8 weeks. Serum total testosterone and free testosterone levels were higher and serum estradiol, prostate-specific antigen levels, and total cholesterol levels were lower in the AG50 group ( aqueous extract 50 mg/kg of body weight/day) than in the OLD (control group). The AG50 group also showed significant elevations in sperm count, grip strength, and mRNA expression of , , , and compared with those in the OLD group. In conclusion, aqueous extract facilitated steroidogenesis in Leydig cells, elevated testosterone levels, lowered serum estradiol and total cholesterol levels, and increased muscle strength and sperm count, thus alleviating the symptoms of andropause. These findings suggest that aqueous extract is a potentially effective therapeutic agent against various symptoms associated with andropause.