Abstract

Butea superba Roxb. (Red Kwao Krua), a herb in the family Papilionaceas, has been used as a traditional medicine for the promotion of physical strength. This communication reports the study on the effect of Butea superba Roxb. on endogenous steroid profile and LH (luteinizing hormone) from healthy male volunteers. After oral administration of ground Butea superba Roxb. root and tuber, twenty-four hour urines were collected and analysed for endogenous steroids by GC/MS. The amount of LH was also determined in the same sample by fluoroimmunoassay. The alteration in serum enzymes indicating liver and kidney functions were studied in order to evaluate the toxicity of this herb. Elevations of several endogenous steroids were observed after short term administration of Butea superba Roxb. Among these are androstendione, testosterone, estradiol and estriol. The concentration of the glucocorticosteroids, cortisol and tetrahydrocortisol, were unaffected. Slight increase in urinary LH was observed. No significant change in T/DHT, androsterone/etiocholanolone and T/estradiol ratios were observed. Implications from overall effects of Butea superba Roxb. is discussed. Verf.-Referat