Effect of Tentex forte and Speman individually and in combination

[Journal of the Indian Medical Profession (1971): 17, 8055]
Effect of Tentex forte and Speman Individually and in Combination on
Gonadal Structure in Rats
Shivraj S. Jadhav, M.V.Sc., Sud, S.C., Ph.D. (U.S.A.)
and
Bahga, H.S., M.S. (U.S.A.)
College of Veterinary Medicine, U. P. Agricultural University, Pantnagar, Nainital, U.P., India.
INTRODUCTION
Sexual disorders in human beings and in animal species are more common than they are thought
to be. In human patients stresses and strains of modern living may make an individual sexually
neurasthenic and functionally impotent. This may lead to a train of psychological complexes
leading to sexual inferiority and its allied syndromes. Male animals have often been reported to
yield semen of poor quality in spite of optimal management conditions including the best feeding
schedules.
The treatment of certain sexual disorders with gonodal and/or pituitary hormones have not
yielded favorable results (Hotchkiss, 1944; Grollman, 1964). There is ample evidence to
indicate that such treatment may alter the hormonal balance of the body and may prove
detrimental to health (Swanson et al, 1950). In the man, injections of testosterone caused
disappearance of the Leydig cells, atrophy of the tubules, arrest of spermatogenesis and
pronounced hyalinization of the basement membrane (Heller et al., 1950).
Recently, several non-hormonal preparations have been used to correct such sexual disorders.
Two such preparations available are Tentex forte and Speman, which have been reported to be of
great value in sexual disorders of human beings (Sahu, 1962; Agarwal and Mittal, 1969; Vyas et
al., 1970).
The present investigation was undertaken to study the effect of Tentex forte and Speman on
endocrine and reproductive organs of male rats. The use of animal species under controlled
conditions minimized the psychological interference and revealed physio-pharmacological
properties.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Three to four months old male rats weighing from 150 to 200 g were maintained on rat pellet
ration (Hindustan Lever Ltd., Bombay). The drugs were administered in powdered feed pellets
in the following concentrations:
Tentex forte
0.5%, 1% and 2%
Speman
0.5% and 1%
Tentex forte plus Speman
0.5%
of
each
The drugs were fed for 30 days, after which the
animals were sacrificed and pituitary, adrenals, testes,
ventral prostate and seminal vesicles were removed,
weighed and examined histologically.
RESULTS
Tentex forte: Histologically, the testis of rats given
Tentex forte at 1.0% and 2.0% level of feeding
schedule revealed an increase in the overall activity:
the lumens of the somniferous tubules contained
apparently more sperms, while the interstitial tissue
was less apparent. The results with 2.0% Tentex forte
feeding were similar to those of 1.0% feeding. These
results suggested an increased spermatogenesis,
following the administration of Tentex forte (Fig.1, A
and B) as compared to control group (Fig.1, A and B)
as compared to control group (Fig.1, D). The prostate
gland cells of the animals treated with 0.5% Tentex
forte (Fig.2, A) showed an increased secretory activity
of cells as compared to control animals (Fig. 2,B).
Tentex forte
Musk
2 mg
Saffron
8 mg
Amber
8 mg
Purified Nux vomica pulvis
16 mg
Makardhwaj
16 mg
Shilajeet
32 mg
Orchis mascula
16 mg
Anacyclus pyrethrum
16 mg
Withania somnifera
65 mg
Sida cordifolia
16 mg
Bombax malabaricum
16 mg
Argyreia speciosa
32 mg
Mucuna pruriens
32 mg
Swarnamakshik bhasma
32 mg
Speman
Orchis mascula
65 mg
Lactuca scariola
16 mg
Hygrophila spinosa
32 mg
Mucuna pruriens
16 mg
Exts.
Parmelia parlata
16 mg
Argyreia speciosa
32 mg
Speman: The effect of Speman 1% was as follows:
Tribulus terrestris
32 mg
Histologically testis showed more compactness,
Leptadenia reticulata
32 mg
having less space in between the seminiferous tubules
Suvarnavang (Mosaic gold)
16 mg
(Fig. 1,C) and the glandular tissue of seminal vesicles
was more clear (Fig.3, A) than that of control (Fig.3,B) while adrenal and ventral prostate did not
show any significant effect.
Combined effect of feeding Speman and Tentex forte: A combination of 0.5 percent each of
Speman and Tentex forte was also found to be equally effective: the seminiferous tubules were
better developed and there was good evidence of spermatogenesis in experimental animals as
compared with the control. (Figs. 4A & 1 D).
DISCUSSION
The present investigation indicated that administration of Tentex forte and Speman either alone
or in combination, produced hypertrophy of the seminiferous tubules. The interstitial tissue has
been reduced while the tubular volume was increased. The prostate gland showed more fluidfilled alveoli, while the cells of the seminal vesicle had hypertrophied.
Figure 1A: Photomicrograph of the testis of a
rat given 1% Tentex forte; showing evidence
of increased spermatogenic activity in the
lumens of the seminiferous tubules. The
interstitial tissue is also less apparent.
(H&E stain, 100 x)
Figure 1B: Changes similar to that in 1A seen
in this photomicrograph, when 2% Tentex
forte level was used. (H&E stain, 100x)
Figure 1C: Testis of a rat given 1% Speman:
histologically, the testes show more
compactness and less space between
seminiferous tubules. (H&E stain, 100x)
Figure 1D: Photomicrograph of testis of a rat
from control group given unmedicated feed.
(Common control for Tentex forte and
Speman) (H&E stain, 100 x)
Figure 2A: Photomicrograph of ventral
prostate of rat treated with 0.5% Tentex
forte: gland cells showing an increased
secretary activity. (H&E stain, 40 x)
Figure 3A: Photomicrograph of seminal
vesicle of a rat fed 1% Speman; the glandular
tissue is more clear. (H&E stain, 100 x)
Figure 2B: Photomicrograph of ventral
prostate of rat from control group given
unmedicated feed: gland cells showing less
marked secretory activity. (H&E stain, 40 x)
Figure 3B: Photomicrograph of seminal vesicle
of a rat from control group given unmedicated
feed showing insignificant changes in the
histological picture. (H&E stain, 100 x)
Figure 4A: Photomicrograph of testis of a rat given
a combined treatment of Tentex forte and Speman
at 0.5% levels of each. The seminiferous tubules
are better developed, there is evidence of increased
spermatogenesis and cell multiplication.
Though similar changes in the testes of rats have
been noted after the administration of testosterone
(Ludwig, 1950), the absence of any effect on the
weight of the seminal vesicles, prostate and testes
indicate a different mechanism of action in
stimulating seminiferous activity.
Sex steroids affect pituitary gonadotropins
(Davidson, 1966). Whether Speman or Tentex
forte have altered the hyphophyseal gonadotropin
levels has not been ascertained. The possibility of
this type of activity seems to be low, considering
the absence of any weight deviation in the
experimental rats.
In human patients, Speman has been claimed to
increase the sperm concentration and sperm
motility (Bhargava, 1970, Vaze, 1970). It has
been found to be useful in nocturnal emission and
premature ejaculation (Heilig, 1968). Tentex or
Tentex forte have been recommended to increase
libido (Vyas and Saxena, 1968).
Certain investigators have recommended combined therapy of Tentex forte and Speman
(Bhargava, 1970; Vaidya, 1970). Increased secretory activity, together with the indication that
Speman administration causes increased contraction of the seminal vesicle and its complete
evacuation (Ranade and Raje, 1958), suggest that these drugs can increase seminal plasma.
Sperm concentration has been found to be increased in bulls (Singh, Sud and Bahga: unpublished
data). It is therefore, possible that these drugs might be used in sexual disorders.
CONCLUSION
In male rats, Speman and Tentex forte stimulated the activity of seminiferous tubules, prostate
and seminal vesicle. Apparently there were increased number of spermatozoa in the tubules after
drug administration than in control rats.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
We are indebted to Dr. B.K. Soni, former Dean, College of Veterinary Medicine, Pantnagar, for
providing the facilities. We are especially thankful to Himalaya Drug Co. Private Ltd., Bombay
for providing the drugs and necessary funds to carry out this investigation. Thanks are also due
to Dr. Ratan Singh for active support.
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