Li Xianrui, Ding Jin, Wang Jingshang, He Junqin, Sheng Wen
Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Beijing 100026, China.
Department of Andrology Clinic, Shenzhen Bao'an Chinese Medicine Hospital, The Seventh Clinical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, 518000, China.
J Trace Elem Med Biol. 2025 Jun;89:127646. doi: 10.1016/j.jtemb.2025.127646. Epub 2025 Apr 8.
Oligoasthenozoospermia (OAS) is one of the main causes of male infertility. Studies have shown that ginsenoside Rb1 (GRb1) and Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP) have great potential in treating OAS. This study aims to investigate the effects of combined GRb1 and LBP treatment on OAS and the underlying molecular mechanisms.
The Tripterygium wilfordii polyglycoside (GTW)-induced mouse model and HO-induced cell model were intervened with GRb1 and LBP. HE staining and Johnson score were used to evaluate the degree of testicular injury. Then, sperm quality was evaluated, and the levels of sperm-related hormones were measured. The regulatory effect of GRb1 and LBP on oxidative stress in OAS mice and cells was explored. In addition, total zinc content in testicular tissues and GC-2 cells was measured, and the mRNA and protein expression levels of zinc transporter 3 (ZnT3) were detected.
In the OAS model of mice treated with GRb1 and LBP, the coefficient of testis and epididymis were increased, and the degree of damage and sperm quality were significantly improved. Serum levels of T, LH, and FSH were increased in mice. Moreover, inhibition of ZnT3 signaling increased total intracellular zinc content in GC-2 cells. Overexpression of ZnT3 reversed the inhibitory effects of the combination of GRb1 and LBP on oxidative stress and the therapeutic effects in OAS mice.
The combined treatment of GRb1 and LBP could inhibit oxidative stress response by down-regulating ZnT3 signaling, thereby improving OAS mice. This provided a new strategy for the drug treatment of OAS.
少弱精子症（OAS）是男性不育的主要原因之一。研究表明，人参皂苷Rb1（GRb1）和枸杞多糖（LBP）在治疗OAS方面具有巨大潜力。本研究旨在探讨GRb1和LBP联合治疗对OAS的影响及其潜在分子机制。
用GRb1和LBP干预雷公藤多苷（GTW）诱导的小鼠模型和HO诱导的细胞模型。采用苏木精-伊红（HE）染色和约翰逊评分评估睾丸损伤程度。然后，评估精子质量，并检测精子相关激素水平。探讨GRb1和LBP对OAS小鼠和细胞氧化应激的调节作用。此外，测定睾丸组织和GC-2细胞中的总锌含量，并检测锌转运体3（ZnT3）的mRNA和蛋白表达水平。
在GRb1和LBP治疗的OAS小鼠模型中，睾丸和附睾系数增加，损伤程度和精子质量显著改善。小鼠血清中睾酮（T）、黄体生成素（LH）和卵泡刺激素（FSH）水平升高。此外，抑制ZnT3信号增加了GC-2细胞内的总锌含量。ZnT3的过表达逆转了GRb1和LBP联合对氧化应激的抑制作用以及对OAS小鼠的治疗效果。
GRb1和LBP联合治疗可通过下调ZnT3信号抑制氧化应激反应，从而改善OAS小鼠。这为OAS的药物治疗提供了新策略。
