Objective:To investigate the effect of compound Tripterygii Radix et Rhizoma on spermatocytes apoptosis in mice and their expression of apoptosis-related Bax

Bcl-2

and Caspase-3. Method:In vitro culture system for mice spermatocytes was established. The mice were divided into blank group

triptolide 3.5 mg·L-1 group

triptolide 3.5 mg·L-1+catalpol 3 mg·L-1 group

triptolide 3.5 mg·L-1+panax notoginseng saponins 12 mg·L-1 group

triptolide 3.5 mg·L-1+oxalate 1.5 mg·L-1 group

triptolide 3.5 mg·L-1+sinomenine 0.75 mg·L-1 group. Flow cytometry was used to detect the spermatocytes apoptosis rate after 24 h drug treatment

Western blot assay was done to determine the protein expression of Bax

Bcl-2

and Caspase-3 in spermatocytes. Result:Catalpol and Panax notoginseng saponions could reduce the induction effect of triptolide on apoptosis in mouse spermatocytes

with significant differences(P<0.05) compared with triptolide group

but there was no significant difference between ammonium oxalate

Sinomenine group and triptolide group. Triptolide induced increase in Bax

Caspase-3 protein expression

decrease in Bcl-2 protein expression

with significant difference with blank group (P<0.01). After combination of triptolide with catalpol and panax notoginseng saponins

Bax

Caspase-3 protein expression was reduced

while Bcl-2 protein expression was increased

with significant difference compared with triptolide group (P<0.05). The combination of triptolide with ammonium oxalate and Sinomenine did not make significant difference. Conclusion:Triptolide can cause spermatocytes apoptosis through Bax/Bcl-2

and Caspase-3 system. The other drug components in compound in Tripterygii Radix et Rhizoma can inhibited apoptosis in spermatocytes to varying degrees

and reduce its reproductive toxicity.