Yishen Tongluo Formula Regulates Apoptosis and Autophagy in Testicular Spermatogenic Cells of…

Animal / preclinicalJournal of ethnopharmacology· Jul 2026

Yishen Tongluo Formula Regulates Apoptosis and Autophagy in Testicular Spermatogenic Cells of Oligoasthenozoospermic Rats via the AMPK/mTOR Pathway.

Yangdi Chen, Fanggang Bi, Zhong Hua … Zixue Sun

PathologyAnimal / preclinicalQ1IF 7.7

Key compounds in Yishen Tongluo Formula showed strong binding to AMPK/mTOR targets.

Yishen Tongluo Formula Regulates Apoptosis and Autophagy in Testicular Spermatogenic Cells of Oligoasthenozoospermic Rats via the AMPK/mTOR Pathway.

Yangdi Chen … Zixue Sun

Journal of ethnopharmacology · Jul 2026

Purpose

The aim was to investigate the therapeutic efficacy and the underlying mechanism of Yishen Tongluo Formula in treating oligoasthenozoospermia associated with the kidney deficiency and collateral obstruction pattern.

Methods

The chemical constituents of Yishen Tongluo Formula were identified by UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS, and molecular docking was performed between the ten most abundant compounds and AMPK/mTOR.

Results

< -7.0 kcal/mol

a lower value means stronger attachment to AMPK/mTOR proteins

More results

Among 307 identified compounds (mostly flavonoids), Yishen Tongluo Formula improved general status, organ weights, and sperm quality in model rats.

IHC showed downregulated Beclin1 and Bax, and upregulated p62 and Bcl-2.

More results

Western blot/RT-qPCR validated downregulated p-AMPK/AMPK, AMPK mRNA, LC3II, Beclin1, Bax, cleaved caspase-3, and cleaved caspase-3/caspase-3 ratio, alongside upregulated p-mTOR/mTOR, mTOR mRNA, p62, and Bcl-2.

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Conclusion · 1 of 2

Yishen Tongluo Formula improved spermatogenic function in rats with oligoasthenozoospermia (kidney deficiency and collateral obstruction pattern).

Conclusion · 2 of 2

Its mechanism of action involves regulation of the AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway and restoration of the balance between autophagy and apoptosis.

Yishen Tongluo Formula Regulates Apoptosis and Autophagy in Testicular Spermatogenic Cells of Oligoasthenozoospermic Rats via the AMPK/mTOR Pathway.

Yishen Tongluo Formula Regulates Apoptosis and Autophagy in Testicular Spermatogenic Cells of Oligoasthenozoospermic Rats via the AMPK/mTOR Pathway.

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