Blumea balsamifera Leaf Extract Maintain Testosterone Levels in Hypercholesterolemic Rats Through Antioxidant Mechanism and Upregulation of StAR Gene Expression

Abstract

High cholesterol levels can increase lipid peroxidation in tissues that are potentially toxic to reproductive organ cells, especially the Leydig cells that produce the testosterone hormone. Blumea balsamifera leaf extract (BBLE) has the main content in the form of flavonoid compounds with antihypercholesterolemic activity. This study aimed to determine the effect of BBLE administration on MDA levels, StAR mRNA expression, Leydig cell counts, and testosterone levels in hypercholesterolemic rats. A posttest-only control group design was utilized in this research. For 50 days, 36 male Wistar rats had been separated into two groups: 1) the control group (HCD + 1 ml/day sterile aquadest) and 2) the BBLE group (HCD + 4 mg/bb rats per day). After treatment, MDA testicular tissue levels, StAR mRNA expression, Leydig cell count, and testosterone levels were measured in both groups. The data collected were statistically examined using the Independent T-test and path analysis. The results indicated that the MDA level was lower in the BBLE group, though StAR gene expression, Leydig cell count, and testosterone levels were significantly greater (p0.05). StAR mRNA expression had a significant direct effect on testosterone levels. Administration of BBLE had been shown to improve testosterone hormone secretion in hypercholesterolemic rats by preventing oxidative stress in testicular tissue with the signs of lower MDA levels, up-regulation of the StAR mRNA, and Leydig cell regeneration.