The total flavones from Semen cuscutae reverse the reduction of testosterone level and the expression of androgen receptor gene in kidney-yang deficient mice

OBJECTIVE: To discover the effect of the total flavones from Semen cuscutae (TFSC) on the kidney-yang deficiency male mouse, especially on hormone levels and the androgen receptor (AR) mRNA and protein level in the kidney and testicle. METHODS: ICR male mouse were separated into six groups, and, except for the normal group, hydrocortisone was injected intraperitoneally to make the kidney-yang deficiency. The groups were then treated with TFSC, methyltestosterone and Jinkui Shenqi Wan, except for the normal group and control group. 14 days after administering, testosterone levels in the total serum were analysed by radioimmunoassay, AR mRNA levels measured by real time RT-PCR and protein levels by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: The control group had the lowest testosterone level, AR mRNA level and protein level, and the TFSC can reverse the reduction of testosterone level, AR mRNA level and protein level induced by the hydrocortisone. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to demonstrate that TFSC treatment may reverse kidney-yang deficiency symptoms by restoring the levels of testosterone and AR mRNA and protein expression in the kidney and testicle.