Typha capensis (Rohrb.)N.E.Br. (bulrush) is used by traditional healers in Southern Africa to treat male reproductive problems. This study aimed at investigating the effects of T. capensis on TM3-Leydig cells. T. capensis rhizome crude extract obtained from autumn, winter, spring and summer harvest was fractionated using HPLC into four fractions, and TM3-Leydig cells were incubated with different concentrations of the F1 fraction (0.01, 0.02, 0.1, 1, 10 and 100 μg/ml) for 24, 48 and 96 hr respectively. The following parameters were evaluated: cell morphology, viability (MTT assay), testosterone production (testosterone ELISA test), apoptosis (Annexin V-Cy3 binding) and DNA fragmentation (TUNEL assay). Results revealed that the summer harvest obtained the highest amount of extract. The F1 fraction of all harvests was the most effective. This fraction significantly enhanced testosterone production in TM3 cells in a dose-dependent manner with maximum effect at 0.1 μg/ml. At higher concentrations, lower testosterone production was observed. Cell viability including apoptosis was not affected at concentrations used by the traditional healers to treat patients. This study shows that T. capensis enhanced testosterone production and might be useful to treat male infertility and ageing male problems.
Keywords: Typha capensis; DNA fragmentation; TM3-Leydig cells; testosterone production; traditional medicine.
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