This study aimed to investigate the changes to metabolism, nucleotide signalling and oestrogen concentration that occur in the Leydig and Sertoli cells of the testes after exposure to herbs commonly included in ‘fertility’ supplements.
Murine Leydig and Sertoli cells were cultured with 0.1 or 1.0 mg/mL ginseng, maca or green tea extract (GTE), or selected ginsenosides (Rg1 and Compound K [100 mM]) or catechins ((-)-epicatechin, (+)-catechin hydrate, (-)-epigallocatechin gallate and (-)-epigallocatechin [80 mM]) for 48 h. Cells were separated from the culture media, and intracellular concentrations of the nucleotides cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), and of 17-b-oestradiol were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Cells exposed to ginseng, maca or GTE also underwent untargeted metabolomics analysis, using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), to assess changes to the metabolome.
cAMP, cGMP and 17-b-oestradiol concentrations were altered from controls in both cell types after some of the treatments, in some cases several-hundred-fold higher. Marked changes to sugars, amino acids and metabolic intermediates, including several involved in the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, were also observed. These results indicate that disruption to energy metabolism, nucleotide signalling and hormone regulation may occur with use of these supplements. Dietary supplement and herbal medicine use is widespread in Australia, and ginseng, maca and GTE are popular ingredients in those marketed for fertility but also weight loss, immune and general ‘wellbeing’ products. These products should be used with caution until the translational relevance of this in vitro analysis is further elucidated.