Effect of Combined Oyster Peptide and Ginseng Extracts on Improvement of Sexual Function and Anti-fatigue in Male Mice

This study aimed to explore the effects of the combination of oyster peptide and ginseng extracts (OPGE) on exercise fatigue and sexual function in normal male mice. In this experiment, ICR male mice were randomly divided into 6 groups, including control group, oyster peptide (0.2 mg/g bw, OP), ginseng extract (0.2 mg/g bw, GE), low dosage of OPGE (0.1 mg/g bw, OPGEL), medium dosage of OPGE (0.2 mg/gbw, OPGEM) and high dosage of OPGE (0.6 mg/g bw, OPGEH). All animals were treated continuously by oral gavage for 42 days, and then the swimming experiment and mating test were respectively performed on the last day of administration. Anti-fatigue and sexual function-related biochemical parameters were measured. The mating ability of mice was significantly enhanced in each treatment group compared with control group. The mating ability of OP and GE treated alone showed inferior to OPGEM administration, but without statistical difference. Compared with the control group, the serum levels of testosterone and follicle-stimulating hormone, the nitric oxide level in penis was increased by 20.02%, 19.92% and 17.19%, respectively, while the content of phosphodiesterases-5 in penis was decreased in OPGEM group. The results indicated that OPGEM administration presented the best effect on the promotion of sexual function among all groups (P<0.05). Besides, the expressions of steroid hormone synthesis acute regulatory protein (StAR) and 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD17B3) in the testis were up-regulated by OPGE administration, but without a statistical difference compared with the control group (P>0.05). Furthermore, the levels of lactic acid (P<0.01), urea nitrogen (P<0.05) and malondialdehyde (P<0.01) were decreased by the administration of OPGEM, while the content of glycogen was increased (P<0.01). In conclusion, OPGE presented a synergistic effect on anti-fatigue and improvement of sexual ability in normal male mice. The results are beneficial to promote the development of the functional food industry in the related field.