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Abstract
Ashwagandhadi Lehya is a multi-component herbal formulation, an official in the Ayurvedic Formulary of India. It is indicated as aphrodisiac and spermatogenic, containing Withania somnifera as one of major constituents. The objectives of the present studies were evaluation of aphrodisiac and spermatogenic potential and evolving probable mechanism. The spermatogenic potential was evaluated in vivo by estimating serum testosterone and serum cholesterol content, histological assessment of seminiferous tubules, and performing spermatozoa count from cauda fluid. Testosterone content secreted by isolated Leydig cells was evaluated in vitro. The effect of AL on the expression of mRNA, corresponding to 3-β-Hydroxyl Steroid Dehydrogenase and Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory Protein, using TM3 cell line was studied. The aphrodisiac potential was evaluated by performing sexual behavior studies in rats. The serum concentration of cholesterol and testosterone was increased by 2.29 and 0.9 fold, respectively in treated animals. Sperm concentration was increased by 57.9 fold in treated animals compared to control. The amount of testosterone was increased by 20.6 fold in Leydig cells. TM3 cells cultured with Ashwagandhadi Lehya, Withania somnifera, as well as Withaferin-A, showed enhanced expression of selected mRNA. Studies suggested that Ashwagandhadi Lehya could act on Leydig cells, stimulating steroidogenesis, and up-regulated testosterone synthesis. Elevated testosterone levels might influence spermatogenesis in vivo. The elevated serum concentration of testosterone might be attributed to the aphrodisiac potential of the Ashwagandhadi Lehya.
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