[Influence of Tripterygium wilfordii on the expression of spermiogenesis related genes Herc4, Ipo11 and Mrto4 in mice]

Yi Chuan. 2009 Sep;31(9):941-6

Authors: Huang D, Li J, He LQ

The mechanism of Tripterygium wilfordii (GTW) inhibiting productive function was studied in the male mice. The male mice were randomly divided into control group and GTW group. GTW group had been given Tripterygium wilfordii for 8 weeks. The pregnancy rate was investigated after the male mice mated with the normal female mice (1ratio2) in one week. Also the pathological changes of the male mice testis were evaluated by the optical microscope and the expression of genes related to reproduction was investigated by Gene Chip Technology 8 weeks later. The results showed pregnancy rate of GTW group was obviously decreased compared with the control mice, and no pregnancy occurred in GTW group at 8 weeks. In the testis tissues of GTW group, the spermatogenic cells in the convoluted seminiferous tubules were obviously decreased and the lumen was obstructed by large deciduous spermatogenic cells. The number of abnormal expression genes in this group was 1 932. Among them, 354 genes were related to reproduction, including 112 up-regulated and 242 down-regulated genes. Genes Herc4, Ipo11, and Mrto4, which are closely associated with spermiogenesis, were expressed irregularly. The outcome indicates that the inhibitive reproduction of Tripterygium wilfordii in the male mice is associated with the abnormal expression of spermiogenesis genes.

BOTTOM LINE: Tripterygium wilfordii, or lei gong teng, sometimes called Thunder God Vine, is a vine used in traditional Chinese medicine for treatment of fever, chills, edema and carbuncle, and a variety of disorders including rheumatoid arthritis, chronic hepatitis, chronic nephritis, ankylosing spondylitis, as well as several skin disorders. This is part of a research thread towards a MALE CONTRACEPTIVE. So, this may be good in the long run for the latter use, but it points out that if you use herbals for one thing, just like drugs, you can get some unanticipated side effects too!

PMID: 19819847 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]