Effects of extracted Cordyceps sinensis on steroidogenesis in MA-10 mouse Leydig tumor cells

Extracts from the mycelium of Cordyceps sinensis (CS) were tested to determ ine the in vitro effect on Leydig cell function. MA-10 mouse Leydig tumor c ells were used to conduct the experiments. Results showed that progesterone production gradually increased as the dosage of combined water and ethanol extracted CS increased, and there was a statistically significant differen ce in progesterone production stimulated by 20 mg/ml of CS extracts compare d to the control. The combined water and ethanol extracted CS significantly stimulated MA-10 cell steroid production at 12 and 24 h of incubation. In addition, a protein synthesis inhibitor, cycloheximide, did not block the s timulatory effects of CS extracts on MA-10 cell steroid production or total protein expression. Moreover, the expression of steroidogenic acute regula tory (StAR) protein, which is a critical protein for steroidogenesis, stimu lated by CS extracts, could not be detected by Western blot analysis. These data indicate that CS extracts might not induce StAR protein and/or other protein expressions to stimulate steroidogenesis in MA-10 mouse Leydig tumo r cells.