Pro Creation D

Astragalus membranaceus/root huang qi
Effects of several Chinese herbal aqueous extracts on human sperm motility in vitro.
Liu J, Liang P, Yin C, Wang T, Li H, Li Y, Ye Z. Andrologia. 2004 Apr;36(2):78-83.

The effects of six kinds of aqueous extracts of Chinese herbal medicine (Astragalus membranaceus, Acanthopanacis senticosi, Panax genseng and Ophiopogon japonicus, P. genseng and Aconitum carmichaeli, Salviae miltiorrhiae, Polyporus umbellatus polysaccharide) on sperm motility characteristics of 30 infertile male volunteers were studied in vitro with a computer-assisted sperm analysis at 15, 60 and 180 min after incubated with the drugs. The results showed that per cent viability, number of progressive motile spermatozoa, curvilinear velocity, average path velocity and amplitude of lateral head displacement were significantly enhanced by A. membranaceus (P< 0.05 or< 0.01), per cent viability, average path velocity and amplitude of lateral head displacement were significantly enhanced by A. senticosi (P< 0.05), but all the above were not affected by P. genseng and O. japonicus, P. genseng and A. carmichaeli, S. miltiorrhiae and P. umbellatus polysaccharide. It is suggested that A. membranaceus and A. senticosi can enhance the motility of human spermatozoa in vitro.

Induction of growth hormone by the roots of Astragalus membranaceus in pituitary cell culture.
Kim C, Ha H, Kim JS, Kim YT, Kwon SC, Park SW. Arch Pharm Res. 2003 Jan;26(1):34-9.

The traditional Asian medicinal herb, roots of Astragalus (A.) membranaceus (Leguminosae), is used for many purposes, some of which are purported to stimulate the release of growth hormone in vivo. Extracts of A. membranaceus were tested to determine whether they stimulate the release of growth hormone in rat pituitary cell culture. A. membranaceus was extracted sequentially with 80% ethanol (fraction A), n-hexane (fraction B); the test compound from the herbal extraction was isolated using silica gel column chromatography and was identified with spectral data. Test compound was also extracted by traditional boiling water methods. Induction of growth hormone in pituitary cell culture was conducted with isolated compounds and extracted fractions of A. Radix (dried roots of A. membranaceus). The fraction A was not active in the rat pituitary cell culture, but the fraction B derived from the ethanol fraction stimulated the release of growth hormone in culture. Six compounds from fraction B (1-6) were isolated and identified previously. The compounds 1, 2-benzendicarboxylic acid diisononylester (1), beta-sitosterol (2), and 3-O-beta-D-galactopyranosyl-beta-sitosterol (5) did not induce growth hormone release in the culture. Formononetin (3), 9Z, 12Z-octadecadienoic acid (4), stigmast-4-en-6beta-ol-3-one (6) and 98-E, a mixture of 1'-9, 12-octadecadienoic acid (Z, Z)-2', 3'-dihydroxy-propylester (7) and 1'-hexadecanoic acid-2', 3'-dihydroxy-propylester (8) stimulated the release of growth hormone in the rat pituitary cell culture significantly compared to the control. In conclusions, four compounds isolated from extracts of A. Radix induced growth hormone release in the rat pituitary cell culture. The 98-E isolate was the most active inducer of growth hormone release.

The Effects of Astragalus Membranaceus Extract on Sperm Quality in vitro.
Jiang Feng, et al. Reproduction and Contraception. 1999; (10)4: 242~246.

This study is to explore the effects on sperm quality and fertilizing ability by using astragalus membrranaceus extract as additive among infertile males. Human sperms were cultured in the concentrated astragalus membranaceus extract for 1 h, then semen parameters were measured by the equipment of computer-assisted semenanalyzer(CASA).The results are as follows: compared with the original semen, the sperm motility and velocity, the percentage of grade A sperms and the swaying frequency of sperm heads were improved markedly in the semen treated with astragalus membranaceus extract (P<0.05). Meanwhile, the astragalus membranaceus aqueous extract was analyzed by atomic absorption spectroplvotometer. It was found there’re several metal elements and a certain amount of trace elements in the extract(10mg/ml). The concentration of K+, Ca2-, Zn2- were 25.1μg/ml, 7.28μg/ml, and 0.47 μg/ml respectively. The influence of this additive on artificial insemination was also discussed. We considered that the studied Chinese herbal medicine additive has good effects on sperm preparation in vitro, and this might be a potential method in assisted reproductive technology. 

Treating 25 cases of female infertility due to positive ASAB with Huang Qi Di Huang Mixture.
TangLi. Journal of Sichuan of TCM. 2004;22(5): 64~65. 

This clinical research was to evaluate the therapeutic effect of treating female infertility due to positive ASAB with external and oral administration of TCM granule Huang Qi Di Huang Mixture. 63 cases of female infertility due to positive ASAB were randomly divided into treated group, control group I and control group 2. The treated group was treated with Huang Qi Di Huang Mixture (huang qi 30g, di huang 20g, pu gong ying 10g, shan yu rou 12g, dan pi 12g, fu ling 10g, qing pi 6g, dan shen 10g, etc.), 1 dose every day, taken with warm water, 1 month as a course of treatment, 3 consecutive months totally; an adjuvant measure was also applied: cotton ball soaked with liquid of Huang Qi Di Huang Mixture was placed at the cervix and taken out in 8 hours, once daily, 10 times as a course of treatment, 3 courses totally (prohibited during menstrual periods). During the treatment, the condom was used for contraception. The control group I was treated with oral administration of Huang Qi Di Huang Mixture, with the same usage and courses of treatment as the treated group, the condom was also used. In the control group II, only the condom was used. The results showed that the total effective rate of the treated group, control group I and control group II were 84%, 75% and 56% respectively, and the therapeutic effect of the treated group was obviously better than those of control groups, there’s also very significant difference in negative conversion rate of ASAB and pregnancy rate compared with control groups (P<0.01). 

Treating 72 cases of male immune infertility with Huang Qi Er Xian Tang.
Lou Canrong. Zhong Guo Min Jian Liao Fa. 2002; 10(9): 43.

72 male cases of serum or seminal plasma positive ASAB were treated with Huang Qi Er Xian Tang: huang qi 15g, xian he cao 30g, xian ling pi 15g, dan shen 15g, bai hua she she cao 15g, dang gui 10g, hong hua 10g, huang bo 10g, sheng di 15g, shan zhu yu 10g, niu xi 15g, che qian zi 10g, 1 dose every day, 3 months as a course of treatment. Check ASAB once every month. Condoms were used during the treatment before ASAB conversion. For those with negative conversion, stop using condoms but continue the drug treatment before pregnancy. A control group of 30 cases was also set and treated with deltacortisone 5mg, tid. Results: After 2 courses’ treatment, 69 cases in the treated group had ASAB negative conversion, taking up 96%, and in the control group, 19 cases became negative and took up 69%. 26 spouses in the treated group got pregnant, taking up 36%; 4 in the control group got pregnant, taking up 13%. Two rates in the treated group were significantly better than those in the control group (P<0.05).  

A clinical observation on treating 23 cases of infertility with supplemented Wu Zi Yan Zong Wan.
Li Gangyi. Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae. 2003; 9(3): F003. 

Supplemented Wu Zi Yan Zong Wan was used to treat 23 cases including 18 female and 5 female of infertility. Among female patients 4 with unilateral tubal occlusion complicated with annexitis, 5 with abnormal ovulation, and other 9 without positive problems; 5 male patients had low sperm count and decreased sperm motility. Prescription: gou qi zi, tu si zi, wu wei zi, fu peng zi, che qian zi, huang qi, dang gui and mu xiang. 1 dose every day, taken in two times, 20 days as a course of treatment, 4 courses at most. suspending the treatment during menstrual period. Results: 21 out of the 2 cases got pregnant, and the curative rate was 91.3%. 

Cuscuta chinensis/seed tu si zi
Effects of flavonoids from semen Cuscutae on changes of beta-EP in hypothalamuses and FSH and LH in anterior pituitaries in female rats exposed to psychologic stress.
Wang J, Wang M, Ou Y, Wu Q. Zhong Yao Cai. 2002 Dec;25(12):886-8.

OBJECTIVE: To study the mechanism of flavonoids from Semen Cuscutae (FSC) improving the ovarian endocrine functions. METHODS: (1) FSC were obtained from the semen of Cuscuta chinensis through solvent extraction and polyamide columnar chromatography. (2) Sound, light and electricity were combined into a stressful stimulas to induce psychologic stress in female rats. (3) To observe the effects of FSC on the changes of beta-EP in hypothalamuses, FSH and LH in anterior pituitaries and the changes in pituitary morphology in female rats exposed to psychologic stress. RESULTS: FSC decreased the content of beta-EP in hypothalamuses, and increased the numbers of basophilic cell and content of LH in anterior pituitaries, didn't change content of FSH in anterior pituitaries in female rats exposed to psychologic stress. CONCLUSION: FSC decreases the contents of beta-EP in hypothalamuses and increases contents of LH in anterior pituitaries in female rats exposed to psychologic stress, which may be one of the mechanism of FSC improving hypothalamus-pituitary-ovary axis.

Treating 19 cases of male infertility of Kidney deficiency pattern with tu si zi.
Wang Jianguo, et al. Hebei TCM. 2001; 23(1): 53.

19 cases of male infertility of Kidney deficiency pattern were treated with tu si zi. Method: tu si zi 9g, grounded into powder and taken with water in three times or after being capsulated. For patients with obvious Kidney yin deficiency, 30g gou qi zi chewing daily. 2 months as a course of treatment. Results: In the 19 cases, 7 were of oligospermia and 4 of them were cured, 2 improved and 1 ineffective; 6 were of decreased sperm motility, 4 cured, 1 improved and 1 ineffective, 4 cases were of oligospermia accompanied with low sperm motility, 2 cured and 2 improved; 2 cases of semen non-liquefaction or abnormal semen liquefaction were improved. The curative rate was 52.6%, and total effective rate 89.5%. The treatment lasted 1~6 months.  

Treating 65 cases of anovulatory infertility with Kidney tonifying and period regulating methods.
Chen Xiuling. Shaanxi Zhong Yi. 2005; 26(5):406~407. 

65 cases of anovulatory infertility were treated Liver soothing, Kidney tonifying and ovulation promoting method. Before menstrual periods, the treating principles are mainly soothing the Liver, regulating qi and regulating Chong and Ren meridians. Prescriptions: chai hu, yu jin, chuan lian zi, dang gui, chuan xiong, chi shao, zhi xiang fu, chuan duan, niu xi, 10g each; zhi shou wu, yi mu cao, ji xue teng, 15g each. Take the medicine five days before menstrual period for 5~7 consecutive doses. After the periods, the main treating principles are soothing the Liver, tonifying the Kdiney, and promoting ovulation. Prescriptions: chai hu, yu jin, lu e mei, shan yu rou, 10g each; tu si zi, jin ying zi, bu gu zhi, shu di, 15g each; zi shi ying, 20g; rou cong rong, fu ling, ze xie 12g. Above prescriptions were modified for accompanied symptoms. Results: all cases got pregnant after treatment. 16 cases got pregnant after 1~3 months’ treatment, 29 cases after 4~5 months, 14 after 6~8 months and 6 after 9 months. 

Cynomorium songaricum/fleshy stem suo yang
Water decoction of Suo Yang at the dosage of 10g/kg was administrated to male mice of normal or yang deficiency (obtained through muscular injection of 0.2ml of 0.5% hydrocortione daily for 9 continuous days), once daily, for 9 continue days. The results showed that water extract of Suo Yang had no influence over the serum cortisol concentration of normal mice, but it could increase the glucocorticoid concentration in the blood of mice with yang deficiency and restore it to normal level. Water extract of Suo Yang could also significantly decrease the wet weight of testicles and plasma content of testosterone of both normal male mice and male mice with yang deficiency.1

Bu Shen Sheng Jing Fang (Formula of Tonifying the Kidney to generate sperms).
Bu Shen Sheng Jing Fang: rou cong rong 12g, suo yang 10g, shan zhu yu 12g, tu si zi 10g, fu peng zi 10g, gou qi zi 10g, wu wei zi 3g, nu zhen zi 10g, jin ying zi 30g, zhi gan cao 6g. The formula was used to treat 50 cases of male infertility due to low sperm motility, 40 cases were cured and 10 improved.2

Psoralea corylifolia/fruit bu gu zhi
Sequential analysis of testicular lesions and serum hormone levels in rats treated with a Psoralea corylifolia extract.
In order to clarify pathogenetic targets for the testicular toxicity of a extract of Psoralea corylifolia (P. corylifolia), F344 rats were fed diet containing 3% P. corylifolia extract for up to 12 weeks and subjected to hormone assays and histopathological examination on the testis and epididymis at weeks 1, 2, 4, 8 and 12 (Exp 1). Similar analyses were performed on 1, 3, 7 and 14 days after a single gavage administration of the P. corylifolia extract at a dose of 10 g/kg b.w. (Exp 2). In Exp 1, increase in the numbers of degenerated and exfoliated germ cells and loss of elongated spermatids beyond steps 7 or 8 were initially observed in the seminiferous tubules at week 1, followed by more pronounced degeneration of germ cells with depletion of post-meiotic populations from week 2. The tubular degeneration was associated with Leydig cell atrophy and persistent reduction of serum testosterone and FSH levels throughout the treatment period and a slight reduction of serum LH in later stages. In Exp 2, reduction of serum testosterone and FSH levels preceded degeneration of germ cells in stage VII and VIII tubules at 3 and 7 days after the administration. The results suggest that rapid androgen deprivation reflecting direct interference with Leydig cell function and simultaneous disturbance of the pituitary-testicular axis play pivotal roles in P. corylifolia extract-induced germ cell injury in seminiferous tubules.3

Gonadal toxicity of an ethanol extract of Psoralea corylifolia in a rat 90-day repeated dose study.
Takizawa T, Imai T, Mitsumori K, Takagi H, Onodera H, Yasuhara K, Ueda M, Tamura T, Hirose M. J Toxicol Sci. 2002 May;27(2):97-105.

Ethanol extracts of seeds of Psoralea corylifolia are proposed as food additives for processed food preservation. An extract was administered by admixing into diet at concentrations of 0, 0.375, 0.75, 1.5 or 3.0% to 10 male and 10 female F344 rats each for 90 days to evaluate its toxicity. Body weight gain, food consumption and food conversion efficiency (body weight gain per food consumption) were lower in the extract-treated animals, except for the 0.375% males, as compared to the control animals. Absolute and/or relative testes weights in the 1.5 and 3.0% groups and those of ovaries in the 3.0% group were significantly (p< 0.01) lower than in the control group. On histopathological examination, seminiferous tubular atrophy and Leydig cell atrophy in the testes, and epithelial cell atrophy in the seminal vesicles and prostate were observed in the 1.5 and 3.0% males. Decrease in the number of corpora lutea associated with frequent necrotic follicles in the ovaries in the 1.5 and 3.0% females and less frequent endometrial glands in the uterus in the 3.0% females were also detected. These results might suggest disruption of the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis in Psoralea corylifolia-treated rats as possible mechanisms underlying this gonadal toxicity.

Experience of treating 50 cases of low sperm count.
The following formula was used to treat 50 cases of low sperm count: shan yu rou, huai niu xi, bu gu zhi, 12g each; shu di, tu si zi, fu peng zi, gou qi zi, wu wei zi, yin yang huo, zhi shou wu, zhi huang jing, 15g each; zhi huang qi, dang shen, 30g each. Modify the formula according to accompanied symptoms. 1 dose every day and taken on an empty stomach, 1 month as a course of treatment. Results: after 1~3 courses, 33 cases were cured, 15 improved and 2 ineffective, the total effective rate was 96%.4

Rehmannia glutinosa/root shu di
Experience of treating 50 cases of low sperm count.
The following formula was used to treat 50 cases of low sperm count: shan yu rou, huai niu xi, bu gu zhi, 12g each; shu di, tu si zi, fu peng zi, gou qi zi, wu wei zi, yin yang huo, zhi shou wu, zhi huang jing, 15g each; zhi huang qi, dang shen, 30g each. Modify the formula according to accompanied symptoms. 1 dose every day and taken on an empty stomach, 1 month as a course of treatment. Results: after 1~3 courses, 33 cases were cured, 15 improved and 2 ineffective, the total effective rate was 96%.5

Observation on the therapeutic effects of treating male immune infertility with acupuncture combining Gui Shen Wan. 

Luo Qiwei, et al. Journal of TCM University of Hunan. 2005; 25(3): 50~52 

110 cases of male immune infertility were divided into three groups: 40 cases in acupuncture combining Gui Shen Wan treated group, 40 cases in Gui Shen Wan-treated group and 30 cases in deltacortisone-treated group. Ingredients of Gui Shen Wan: shu di, tu si zi, 30g each; nu zhen zi, shan yao, 15g each; gou qi zi, shou wu, sang ji sheng, 20g each; shan zhu yu, yin yang huo, 10g. 1 dose every day, taken in two times, 2 months as a course of treatment, 2 courses totally. Acupoints for acupuncture treatment: ci liao, guan yuan. Results: in acupuncture combining Gui Shen Wan-treated group, 12 cases were cured, 16 markedly effective, 9 effective and 3 ineffective, the total effective rate was 92.5%; in Gui Shen Wan-treated group, 10 cured, 15 markedly effective, 10 effective and 5 ineffective, the total effective rate was 87.5%; in deltacortisone-treated group, 4 cured, 8 markedly effective, 8 effective and 10 ineffective, the total effective rate was 66.67%. There’s significant difference between acupuncture combining Gui Shen Wan-treated group and deltacortisone-treated group (P<0.05). 

Angelica sinensis/root dang gui
Evaluation of estrogenic activity of plant extracts for the potential treatment of menopausal symptoms.
Liu J, Burdette JE, Xu H, Gu C, van Breemen RB, Bhat KP, Booth N, Constantinou AI, Pezzuto JM, Fong HH, Farnsworth NR, Bolton JL. J Agric Food Chem. 2001 May;49(5):2472-9.

Eight botanical preparations that are commonly used for the treatment of menopausal symptoms were tested for estrogenic activity. Methanol extracts of red clover (Trifolium pratense L.), chasteberry (Vitex agnus-castus L.), and hops (Humulus lupulus L.) showed significant competitive binding to estrogen receptors alpha (ER alpha) and beta (ER beta). With cultured Ishikawa (endometrial) cells, red clover and hops exhibited estrogenic activity as indicated by induction of alkaline phosphatase (AP) activity and up-regulation of progesterone receptor (PR) mRNA. Chasteberry also stimulated PR expression, but no induction of AP activity was observed. In S30 breast cancer cells, pS2 (presenelin-2), another estrogen-inducible gene, was up-regulated in the presence of red clover, hops, and chasteberry. Interestingly, extracts of Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) and North American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L.) induced pS2 mRNA expression in S30 cells, but no significant ER binding affinity, AP induction, or PR expression was noted in Ishikawa cells. Dong quai [Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels] and licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.) showed only weak ER binding and PR and pS2 mRNA induction. Black cohosh [Cimicifuga racemosa (L.) Nutt.] showed no activity in any of the above in vitro assays. Bioassay-guided isolation utilizing ER competitive binding as a monitor and screening using ultrafiltration LC-MS revealed that genistein was the most active component of red clover. Consistent with this observation, genistein was found to be the most effective of four red clover isoflavones tested in the above in vitro assays. Therefore, estrogenic components of plant extracts can be identified using assays for estrogenic activity along with screening and identification of the active components using ultrafiltration LC-MS. These data suggest a potential use for some dietary supplements, ingested by human beings, in the treatment of menopausal symptoms.

A clinical observation on treating 23 cases of infertility with supplemented Wu Zi Yan Zong Wan.
Li Gangyi. Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae. 2003; 9(3): F003.

Supplemented Wu Zi Yan Zong Wan was used to treat 23 cases including 18 female and 5 female of infertility. Among female patients 4 with unilateral tubal occlusion complicated with annexitis, 5 with abnormal ovulation, and other 9 without positive problems; 5 male patients had low sperm count and decreased sperm motility. Prescription: gou qi zi, tu si zi, wu wei zi, fu peng zi, che qian zi, huang qi, dang gui and mu xiang. 1 dose every day, taken in two times, 20 days as a course of treatment, 4 courses at most. suspending the treatment during menstrual period. Results: 21 out of the 2 cases got pregnant, and the curative rate was 91.3%.

Treating 66 cases of semen non-liquefaction with supplemented Dang Gui Liu Huang Tang.
Huang Zhibaio, et al. Xin Zhong Yi. 2003; 35(9): 50.

66 cases of semen non-liquefaction were treated with following formula: dang gui, shu di, sheng di, gou qi zi, 12g each; dan shen, sheng huang qi, yi yi ren, 10g each; huang lian, huang bo, huang qin, 6g each; powder of leech (being taken with water) 3g, sheng gan cao 5g. Modify the formula according to accompanied symptoms. 1 dose every day, water decoction, 1 month as a course of treatment. Results: 36 cases were cured (pregnant), 19 cases improved and 11 ineffective; the total effective rate was 83.33%.

Stimulating action of Carthamus tinctorius L., Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels and Leonurus sibiricus L. on the uterus.
The experimental results indicate that the decoction of Chinese drugs Carthamus tinctorius, Angelica sinensis and Leonurus sibiricus has stimulating action on the uterus of mouse in vitro. The stimulating action of Carthamus tinctorius and Leomurus sibiricus has been found related to stimulating H1-receptor and alpha-adrenergic receptor of uterus, but the action of Angelica sinensis to stimulating H1-receptor of uterus only.6

Inhibitory effects of tetramethylpyrazine and ferulic acid on spontaneous movement of rat uterus in situ.
Ozaki Y, Ma JP. Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo). 1990 Jun;38(6):1620-3. 

Tetramethylpyrazine is one of the alkaloids contained in Ligusticum wallichii Franch. Ferulic acid is a phenolic compound contained in Ligusticum wallichii Franch and Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels. The present study was carried out to examine the effect of tetramethylpyrazine and ferulic acid and the combined effect of both compounds on spontaneous uterine contractions in rats in situ. Tetramethylpyrazine and ferulic acid showed an inhibitory effect on uterine movement when given perorally and intravenously, respectively. The combination of both compounds, at doses individually insufficient to inhibit, synergistically inhibited uterine contraction. It was found that tetramethylpyrazine and ferulic acid inhibited uterine contractions and the inhibitory effect induced by the combination of both was due to the potentiation.

Morinda officinalis/root ba ji tian
The treatment of 30k/kg of water decoction of Ba Ji Tian, once daily for 15 continuous days had no obvious influence over the weights of levator ane muscle, spermatophore and prostate of emasculated mice. 20g/Kg of water decoction of Ba Ji Tian, twice daily for 5 continuous days were gastrogavaged to rats, and the weights of ovary, uterus and pituitary of the rats could be increased, but the LH level in the blood showed no change, while HCG/LH receptor specific binding force in the ovary increased significantly, the number of receptors increased, the Kd value decreased compared with control groups, and the LH secretion reaction of pituitary of rats after LRH injection increased obviously, and the plasma LH level was 51.20ng/ml at 90 minutes after injection.7

Influence of Ba Ji Tian over malformed sperm of mice.
Water decoction of ba ji tian was gastroavaged to three groups of male rats at the dosage of 0.5g/kg, 1.0g/kg and 1.5g/kg respectively for 5 consecutive days; the control groups were gastrogavaged with distilled water of the same volumes for 5 consecutive days too. 35 days after the first gastrogavage, the malformed sperm rate was observed, and it was found that the malformed sperm rates in the epididymis tail of three ba ji tian-treated group were lower than those of the control groups, and the effect was dosage dependent.8

Paeonia lactiflora/root bai shao
Effects of a Chinese herbal medicine, keishi-bukuryo-gan, on the gonadal system of rats.
Sakamoto S, Kudo H, Kawasaki T, Kuwa K, Kasahara N, Sassa S, Okamoto R. J Ethnopharmacol. 1988 Jul-Aug;23(2-3):151-8

Keishi-bukuryo-gan (TJ-25) is a traditional Chinese herbal remedy containing five components: bark of Cinnamomum cassia, root of Paeonia lactiflora, seed of Prunus persica or P. persiba var. davidiana, carpophores of Poria cocos and root bark of Paeonia suffruticosa. This preparation has been used in the treatment of gynecological disorders such as hypermenorrhea, dysmenorrhea and infertility. In the present study, the effects of TJ-25 on plasma levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and estradiol (E2), and on uterine wet weight and thymidine kinase (TK) activity were documented in immature rats. Long-term daily oral administration of TJ-25 (300 mg/kg) for 14 days decreased plasma levels of LH, FSH and E2 by 94%, 67% and 50%, respectively, compared to controls. Uterine wet weight and TK activity were reduced to 65% and 64% that of controls, respectively. Short-term effects of TJ-25 on E2 were also examined. Thirty hours after administration of E2 (1.0 micrograms/kg) alone, uterine wet weight and TK activity were elevated 2.4-and 21-fold, respectively, over controls. However, simultaneous administration of TJ-25 (three consecutive doses, every 12 h) with E2 reduced E2-induced increases in uterine wet weight and TK activity by 29% and 39%, respectively. Treatment with TJ-25 also enhanced LH-RH-induced increases in plasma LH and FSH levels 1.2-and 2.5-fold, respectively, as compared with controls. The results obtained in the present study indicate that TJ-25 may act as a LH-RH antagonist and/or as a weak anti-estrogen.

Rubus chingii/fruit fu pen zi
Effects of the fruit of Rubus chingii Hu on hypothalamus-pituitary-sex gland axis in rats.
The aqueous extract of the fruit of Rubus chingii (RCH) can decrease the contents of LH, FSH and E2, and increase the content of LHRH secreted by thymus gland as well as the level of testosterone in blood.9

A clinical observation on treating 23 cases of infertility with supplemented Wu Zi Yan Zong Wan.
Li Gangyi. Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae. 2003; 9(3): F003. 

Supplemented Wu Zi Yan Zong Wan was used to treat 23 cases including 18 female and 5 female of infertility. Among female patients 4 with unilateral tubal occlusion complicated with annexitis, 5 with abnormal ovulation, and other 9 without positive problems; 5 male patients had low sperm count and decreased sperm motility. Prescription: gou qi zi, tu si zi, wu wei zi, fu peng zi, che qian zi, huang qi, dang gui and mu xiang. 1 dose every day, taken in two times, 20 days as a course of treatment, 4 courses at most. suspending the treatment during menstrual period. Results: 21 out of the 2 cases got pregnant, and the curative rate was 91.3%.

Schisandra chinensis/fruit wu wei zi
The Effect of Schisandraceae on SOD and OFR Level of In Female Rats Ovary of Experimental Kidney Yin deficiency
ZHANG Tao, YAO Ning, WANG Xin. Zhong Guo Zhong Yi Yao Xin Xi Za Zhi. 2006; 13(2): 37-37.

Objective To approach the medicine-Schisandraceae-protective actions to the mice of experimental Kidney Yin deficiency from different angles. Method To observe the level of SOD and OFR in the female rats ovary tissue in order to prove the medicine’s curative effect. Result Schisandraceae can obviously increase the SOD and decrease the OFR to experimental Kidney Yin deficiency mice. Conclusion Schisandraceae has very obviously protective action to experimental Kidney Yin deficiency by influencing content of SOD and OFR of female mice ovary tissue..

A preliminary study on the effects of Wu Wei Zi on testes of adult mice.
Zhu Jiayuan, et al. Si Chuan Jie Pou Xue Za Zhi. 1997; 5(4): 204~207. 

17 adult (4~5 months) male mice of Kunming species were randomly divided into two groups, 10 in test group and 7 in control group. The mice in the test group was gastrogavaged with wu wei zi decoction for 30 days. Testicular sections were prepared and testicular morphology was observed, the diameters of the seminiferous tubules were measured as well. The results showed that wu wei zi could significantly increased the testicular weight by 57.1% and the diameters of the seminiferous tubules by 41%, and the spermatogenic epithelium were thickened under the light microscope. The results suggested that wu wei zi could enhance spermatogenesis in mice.

A clinical observation on treating 23 cases of infertility with supplemented Wu Zi Yan Zong Wan.
Li Gangyi. Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae. 2003; 9(3): F003.

Supplemented Wu Zi Yan Zong Wan was used to treat 23 cases including 18 female and 5 female of infertility. Among female patients 4 with unilateral tubal occlusion complicated with annexitis, 5 with abnormal ovulation, and other 9 without positive problems; 5 male patients had low sperm count and decreased sperm motility. Prescription: gou qi zi, tu si zi, wu wei zi, fu peng zi, che qian zi, huang qi, dang gui and mu xiang. 1 dose every day, taken in two times, 20 days as a course of treatment, 4 courses at most. suspending the treatment during menstrual period. Results: 21 out of the 2 cases got pregnant, and the curative rate was 91.3%.

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Chen K, Fang J, Kuang X, Mo Q. Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 1996 Sep;21(9):560-2 inside back cover.