Liu Hao, Guo Zhongkai, Zang Zhenjie, Jia Bin, Zhou Yuhang, Zhang Hui, Fu Qiang
Department of Urology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, 250021, China.
Department of Urology, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Associated with Shandong University, Jinan, 250021, China.
J Ethnopharmacol. 2025 Jan 31;340:119273. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2024.119273. Epub 2024 Dec 20.
Late-onset hypogonadism (LOH) is a common age-related condition in men, characterized by a decline in serum testosterone and a range of associated signs and symptoms, and is classified as impotence in traditional medicine. Saffron is the dried stigma of Crocus sativus L., which is used in traditional medicine as an aphrodisiac.
This study aimed to investigate the effects of saffron extract (SE) on LOH using an aging mouse model and Leydig cells.
The potential mechanisms and therapeutic targets of SE for the treatment of LOH were first identified using network pharmacology. An aging model was induced in mice by administration of D-galactose, followed by treatment with varying concentrations of SE. Subsequent assessments of serum testosterone levels, semen quality, testicular aging, oxidative stress, and apoptotic markers were performed to assess the impact of SE and to elucidate its mechanisms. In addition, in vitro experiments assessed the effect of SE on Leydig cell viability, oxidative stress, and apoptosis.
The results showed that SE could modulate the PI3K-Akt-Nrf2 signaling pathway, enhancing Leydig cell resistance to oxidative stress and reducing Leydig cell apoptosis, thereby improving Leydig cell function and alleviating the decrease in serum testosterone associated with aging.
Saffron is a promising strategy for the treatment of LOH and provides an effective approach to alleviate serum testosterone decline in older men.
迟发性性腺功能减退（LOH）是男性常见的与年龄相关的病症，其特征为血清睾酮水平下降以及一系列相关体征和症状，在传统医学中被归类为阳痿。藏红花是番红花的干燥柱头，在传统医学中用作壮阳药。
本研究旨在使用衰老小鼠模型和睾丸间质细胞研究藏红花提取物（SE）对LOH的影响。
首先使用网络药理学确定SE治疗LOH的潜在机制和治疗靶点。通过给予D-半乳糖诱导小鼠衰老模型，然后用不同浓度的SE进行治疗。随后评估血清睾酮水平、精液质量、睾丸衰老、氧化应激和凋亡标志物，以评估SE的影响并阐明其机制。此外，体外实验评估了SE对睾丸间质细胞活力、氧化应激和凋亡的影响。
结果表明，SE可调节PI3K-Akt-Nrf2信号通路，增强睾丸间质细胞对氧化应激的抵抗力并减少睾丸间质细胞凋亡，从而改善睾丸间质细胞功能并减轻与衰老相关的血清睾酮下降。
藏红花是治疗LOH的一种有前景的策略，并为缓解老年男性血清睾酮下降提供了一种有效方法。
