Pharmacological mechanisms of Yishen Xingyang capsule in the treatment of oligoasthenospermia in rats

Abstract Objective To investigate the therapeutic effects and pharmacological mechanisms of Yishen Xingyang capsule (YXC) in oligoasthenospermia (OA) rats. Methods Forty-eight male Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly divided into eight groups of six rats each: normal control (NC); model control (MC); three different positive drug (PD); and low-, medium-, and high-dose YXC groups. A rat model of OA was established by administering glucosides of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. F (GTW). After YXC administration, penile erectile function was observed. The epididymis, blood, and testes of the rats were harvested for analysis of sperm quality, sex hormone levels, mitochondrial membrane potential, and the transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1/Smad signaling pathway. Results Compared with that in the MC group, penile erectile function in the YXC groups and three PD groups increased (all P  Conclusion YXC improved penile erectile function and sperm quality in OA rats, and the underlying mechanism included increase in sex hormones, inhibition of sperm apoptosis, and regulation of the TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway. Meanwhile, this study provides a new effective drug option for the treatment of OA, which is beneficial to male reproductive health and social harmony.