Cycas pectinata stimulates germ cell proliferation in mouse testes

Cycas pectinata has been used traditionally by indigenous tribes in the North Eastern region of India. The seed of Cycas pectinata are eaten by local communities as a source of starch and microsporophylls to improve male sexual potency. However, there is no scientific evidence on its testicular physiology. Thus, present study examined the effect of Cycas pectinata seed extract (CPE) on testicular activity in the testis of adult mice. The methanolic extract of Cycas pectinata seed (CPE) was prepared and its composition has already been reported earlier. CPE was orally given in two doses 100 and 400 mg/kg for 35 days and male reproductive endpoints were monitored. CPE significantly increased sperm parameters, antioxidant status and germ cell proliferation compared to the control. CPE decreased the expression of NF-kappa B and BCl2 and increased the abundance of active caspase-3. Expression of ER alpha and beta were down-regulated and expression of AR was elevated in the CPE-treated mice testis. Therefore, CPE improves sperm concentration and germ cell proliferation by enhancing the antioxidant status of the testis. CPE might also be involved in the removal of damaged or unhealthy germ cells and the overall effect of CPE could be mediated via AR signalling.