Abstract

Background: Testosterone, a major sex steroid hormone secreted in males, plays a vital role in androgenic and anabolic activities. A dysfunctional hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal low testicular Leydig cell function can account for the reduction in testosterone levels. This condition is known as hypogonadism/androgen deficiency, a global health issue. Various studies conducted in the past have revealed that the likelihood of developing the disease increases with age. Reports suggest that an annual decline of 0.4-2% occurs, with a 6% incidence in middle-aged men. Orchiectomy-induced hypogonadism causes androgen deficiency in males. Testosterone has a shelf life of two days, so surgical procedure helps in the cessation of testosterone, leading to the same symptoms and conditions as observed in hypogonadism. This study aimed to evaluate, for the first time, the combined effects of Tribulus terrestris and Asparagus racemosus on their ability to treat hypogonadism.

Methods: In this study, healthy male Wistar rats were acclimatized for one week and subjected to orchiectomy to induce hypogonadism. The animals were divided into five groups: normal control, disease control, standard (Tentex forte 400 mg/kg), Tribulus terrestris (400 mg/kg), and a combination of Tribulus terrestris (400 mg/kg) and Asparagus racemosus (600 mg/kg). Treatments were administered daily for 14 days. Body weight and blood samples were collected on days 1, 7, and 14 for analysis. Serum biochemical parameters, including testosterone levels assessed by LC-MS, were evaluated, along with histopathological examination of the prostate and seminal vesicles. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA, followed by Bonferroni post hoc test, with significance set at p < 0.05.

Results: The combination of Tribulus terrestris (TT) (400 mg/kg) and Asparagus racemosus (AR) (600 mg/kg/day), when compared to alone Tribulus terrestris extract (400 mg/kg) resulted in an improvement of testosterone levels compared to the standard drug, Tentex forte (400 mg/kg).

Conclusion: Therefore, the combination of Tribulus terrestris and Asparagus racemosus can be a promising treatment choice for the effective treatment of hypogonadism in the future.

Keywords: Androgen, herbal, hypogonadism, orchiectomy, testosterone, therapy.