Curcuma longa, best known for its culinary application as the main constituent of curry powder, has shown potential impact on the reproductive system. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of Curcuma longa extract (CLE) on Kidney‐Yang deficiency mice induced by hydrocortisone and the possible roles in testosterone secretion in Leydig cells. We evaluated male sexual behaviour, reproductive organ weight, testosterone levels, and histological tissue changes in hydrocortisone‐induced mice. CLE effectively reversed hydrocortisone‐induced Kidney‐Yang deficiency syndrome by improving sexual behaviour, testis and epididymis weight, testosterone levels and reducing pathological damage. Our in vitro study further indicated that CLE stimulated testosterone production via upregulating the mRNA and protein expression of steroidogenic enzymes in Leydig cells. It significantly improved H89‐inhibited protein expression of StAR and cAMP‐response element‐binding (CREB), as well as melatonin‐suppressed StAR protein expression. The data obtained from this study suggest that CLE could alleviate Kidney‐Yang deficiency symptoms and stimulate testosterone production by upregulating the steroidogenic pathway. This research identifies CLE as a potential nutraceutical option for addressing testosterone deficiency diseases.

中文翻译：

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姜黄提取物对小鼠生殖功能和间质细胞睾酮生成的影响

姜黄，以其作为咖喱粉主要成分的烹饪应用而闻名，已显示出对生殖系统的潜在影响。本研究旨在调查功效姜黄提取物（CLE）对氢化可的松诱导的肾阳虚小鼠的作用及其在间质细胞睾酮分泌中的可能作用。我们评估了氢化可的松诱导的小鼠的雄性性行为、生殖器官重量、睾酮水平和组织学变化。 CLE通过改善性行为、睾丸和附睾重量、睾酮水平和减少病理损伤，有效逆转氢化可的松引起的肾阳虚综合症。我们的体外研究进一步表明，CLE 通过上调 Leydig 细胞中类固醇生成酶的 mRNA 和蛋白质表达来刺激睾酮产生。它显着改善了 StAR 和 cAMP 反应元件结合 (CREB) 的 H89 抑制蛋白表达，以及褪黑素抑制的 StAR 蛋白表达。这项研究获得的数据表明，CLE 可以通过上调类固醇生成途径来缓解肾阳虚症状并刺激睾酮产生。这项研究将 CLE 确定为解决睾酮缺乏疾病的潜在营养保健选择。