冬虫夏草及其成分在生殖功能中的研究进展

Research Progress on Reproductive Functions of Dongchongxiacao(Cordyceps sinensis)and Its Components

冬虫夏草(cordyceps sinensis, CS)是东方社会历史悠久的强壮滋补类草药,可以增强生殖活动并恢复受损的生殖功能。CS成分复杂,其主要提取成分包括虫草素、异黄酮(isoflavones obtained from Cordyceps sinensis, CSIF),以及CS水提取成分F1(水溶性多糖)、F2(水溶性蛋白质)和F3(水溶性较差的多糖和蛋白质)。截至目前,关于CS及其成分在生殖功能中的作用、具体机制及临床应用尚无系统阐述。首次综述CS及其成分对雌性及雄性生殖类固醇激素生成的体内外作用及机制。在雌性生殖系统中,CS通过上调类固醇合成急性调节蛋白(steroidogenesis acute regulator protein, StAR)和芳香化酶(aromatase, AROM)的表达促进人颗粒黄体细胞(granulosa luteal cell, GLC)中雌二醇(estradiol, E2)的生成,此外,口服从CS中提取的CSIF对去卵巢(ovariectomized, OVX)大鼠具有显著的雌激素作用;在雄性生殖系统中,CS及其不同成分不仅对原代小鼠睾丸间质细胞中睾酮及小鼠睾丸间质肿瘤细胞(MA-10细胞)中孕酮生成有积极作用,还可显著提高小鼠血浆睾酮水平。不仅为研究CS调节生殖功能及在辅助生殖技术中的应用提供新的研究方向,同时提供新的临床治疗策略。

Dongchongxiacao(Cordyceps sinensis,CS)is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb known for its tonic properties,and it has been used for centuries to enhance reproductive activity and restore the damaged reproductive function.The components of CS are complex,and its main extraction components include cordycepin,isoflavones obtained from CS(CSIF),and CS water extraction components F1(water-soluble polysaccharide),F2(water-soluble protein)and F3(poor water-soluble polysaccharide and protein).Despite its widespread use,there is currently no systematic review of the effects,mechanisms,and clinical applications of CS and its components on reproductive function.This paper is the first to comprehensively review the in vitro and in vivo effects and mechanisms of CS and its components on the production of male and female reproductive steroids.In the female reproductive system,CS promotes the production of estradiol(E2)in human granulosa luteal cells(GLC)by up-regulating the expression of steroidogenesis acute regulator protein(StAR)and aromatase(AROM).In addition,oral administration of CSIF extracted from CS exhibits the significant estrogenic effects in OVX rats.In the male reproductive system,CS and its different components not only have a positive effect on testosterone production in primary mouse Leydig cells and progesterone generation in mouse Leydig tumor cells(MA-10 cells),but also significantly increase the plasma testosterone levels in mice.This study not only provides new research directions for investigating the regulation of reproductive function by CS and its applications in assisted reproductive technologies,but also offers the novel clinical treatment strategies.