Metabolomic profiling and alleviation of oxidative stress of Huangjing Zanyu capsule treating oligoasthenospermia

Background: The traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) patent medicine Huangjing Zanyu capsule (HJZY capsule) has achieved satisfactory clinical effects in the treatment of oligoasthenospermia (OAS). This study aimed to elucidate the impact of HJZY capsule on the reproductive system, focusing on oxidative stress and metabolism profiling during the intervention, to clarify the therapeutic mechanism of HJZY capsule in treating OAS. Methods: Cyclophosphamide was used to establish OAS model rats. Time-sequence specimen collection was applied to monitor the dynamic development of the pharmacological effect of HJZY capsule. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), and malonaldehyde (MDA) were evaluated by biochemistry kits to examine the impact of HJZY capsule on oxidative stress. Non-targeted metabolomics was conducted for urine and testis samples, respectively, to investigate metabolic pathways through which the HJZY capsule takes effect. Results: The HJZY capsule elevated sperm density from 62.1 +/- 8.28, passing 68.4 +/- 7.52, to 75.9 +/- 8.48x10(6)/mL, and sperm motility from 62.0%+/- 3.94%, passing 70.8%+/- 9.72%, to 68.8%+/- 4.37%. Meanwhile, SOD (P<0.05 in week 2) and GPX activity levels of HJZY groups were elevated to a certain degree, respectively, and lipid oxidation was attenuated, as shown by decreased MDA content (P<0.05 in week 2). Metabolomics results showed that the HJZY capsule could modulate pathways including taurine metabolism, purine and pyrimidine metabolism, glycerolipid and glycerophospholipid metabolism, and multiple amino acid metabolisms, among others. The cluster analysis results showed that urinary and testicular metabolomics differed in the strength of discrimination between rats in the OAS model and the HJZY groups. Conclusions: The HJZY capsule exerts a comprehensive effect on OAS through influencing various metabolic pathways. Non-targeted metabolomics provides an effective way for profiling complex TCM prescriptions.

Automated summary

The Huangjing Zanyu capsule exerts comprehensive effects on the treatment of oligoasthenospermia by modulating various metabolic pathways, including regulating the activity of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase, attenuating lipid oxidation, and influencing multiple amino acid metabolisms. Non-targeted metabolomics is an effective method for studying the complex mechanisms of traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions.