Effects of Aqueous Extracts of "Betel Quid" and Its Constituents on Testosterone Production by Dispersed Mouse Interstitial Cells

Abstract

Betel quid (BQ) is a favorite chewing item among many communities in different parts of Asia where it is popular by different names. BQ is a unique combination of nut or fruit from the Areca catechu Linn. (AN) tree, leaf from the Piper betle Linn. (BL) vine, slaked lime, paste of bark from the Acacia catechu tree and other spices. AN has been used successfully in various traditional medicines by different civilizations over several ages. Initially condemned by the medical communities for its health hazards, identification and application of potent pharmacologically bioactive compounds from different constituents of BQ have rekindled growing interest in related investigations. Curious about the stimulating role of BQ, we investigated the potential steroidogenic activity of hot water extract from BQ and its constituents and arecoline on testosterone producing ability in an in vitro experiment. Enzyme dissociated interstitial cells from adult mouse testes (ICR strain) were cultured with/without different doses of the extracts and the level of testosterone produced was assayed by an enzyme immunoassay (EIA) technique. It was found that at lower doses of arecoline, AN and BL extracts had significantly stimulated testosterone production over the basal level (p < 0.05). BQ extract, on the other hand, did not show any significant effect on testosterone production. Combinations of arecoline at low doses with 10 ng/ml ovine leutinizing hormone (oLH) showed increases in testosterone produced, while cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) co-culture showed dose-related inhibition. Our current finding hints at the possible dose-dependent dualistic role of AN and BL extracts and arecoline for testosterone production employing possible non-cAMP-dependent pathway of steroidogenesis. However, the identity of the active compounds besides arecoline and the exact mechanism involved remains to be further investigated.

Efficacy of Phaleria macrocarpa extract on sperm quality in adult rats

“…The elevation of testosterone level in this study may be mediated by serotoninergic action of serotoninergic agents to enhance testosterone synthesis (Yang et al, 2004 ▶). P. macrocarpa aqueous extract possesses significant sexual function enhancing activity as observed in libido behavior tests.…”

Effect of black tea brew of Camellia sinensis on sexual competence of male rats

“…BTB provoked a rapid, profound increase in serum testosterone level again indicating its aphrodisiac credentials. The elevation of testosterone evident in this study may be mediated by serotoninergic action of BTB as serotoninergic agents are reported to enhance testosterone synthesis (Yang et al, 2004) or by preventing its metabolic degradation since flavones present in BTB (Modder and Amarakoon, 2002) are well-known aromatase-enzyme inhibitors (Anonymous, 2007).…”

In vitro study of the effects of khat (Catha edulis Forsk) extract on isolated mouse interstitial cells

“…Another study on the effects of aqueous extracts of "betel quid" (a combination of nut or fruit from Areca catechu, leaf from the Piper betel and paste of bark from Acacia catechu) and its constituents on testosterone production by dispersed mouse interstitial cells, found that lower doses of the extract arecoline, alone or in combination with 10 ng/ml ovine luteinising hormone significantly stimulated testosterone production over the basal level. However, when co-cultured with cAMP it became inhibitory (Yang et al, 2004).…”