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