Smilax calophylla overcomes the effects of adrenalectomy on the testicular 11-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity and plasma levels of testosterone in rats

Removal of adrenal gland (adrenalectomy) caused profound effects on male reproductive system. Adrenalectomy suppressed testicular 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11β-HSD) activity and plasma levels of testosterone (T) in rats. Our previous study documented that corticosterone-induced inhibition on testicular 11β-HSD activity and plasma levels of T could be reversed by Smilax calophylla, (Akar dawai) water extract (AD). The present study was therefore designed to determine whether the effects of adrenalectomy on the testicular 11β-HSD activity and plasma levels of T could be reversed by AD. Testicular 11β-HSD activity and plasma levels of T were found to be reduced significantly (p<0.001) following adrenalectomy. However, AD administration in the adrenalectomized rats was found to retain the testicular 11β-HSD activity and plasma levels of T as found in controls rats. The present study therefore suggests that AD is able to counteract the effects of adrenalectomy on the testicular 11β-HSD activity and plasma levels of T.