ABSTRACT
Object To study the effects of WUZI SIWU GUASHITANG (WT) against multi glycosides of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. f. (GTW) induced genital system toxicity in male rats and its mechanism. Methods Male rats in treatment groups were treated respectively with a 80 days oral administration of large , middle and small doses of WT plus a fixed dose of GTW. The rats as control were treated with GTW alone or saline. Thereafter, the changes in testis organ index, the number of spermatozoa, the rate of movable spermatozoa and the structure of spermatogenic cell epithlium were observed and the serum testosterone level was determined by IRMA. Then the comparison was made between treatment and control groups as to above variables. Results As compared with GTW group, large or middle dose of WT significantly increased the weight of testis, the number of spermatozoa and the rate of movable spermatozoa. Large dose of WT could relieve the damage of GTW to the spermatogenic cell epithelium completely and keep the serum testosterone at normal level. Conclusion The combined use of GTW with WT is very useful in relief of GTW induced adverse reactions of genital system in male rats. The mechanism by which WT exerts the counteractive effects is related to protecting the spermatogenic cell epithelium from being damaged by GTW, and keeping the serum testosterone at normal level.