AIM: To find an in vitro system for the measurement of the androgenic effects of different extracts of Hibiscus
macranthus (Malvaceae) and Basella alba (Basellaceae). METHODS: The production of testosterone from testes
slices incubated in two media, either Krebs-Henseleit buffer containing 0.5% Bovine serum albumin (BSA) or
Dubecco's Modified Eagle's medium-F12 Ham nutrient mixture (DME/Ham F12), under a mixture of 5% CO2 in 95% air
was determined either in the presence or absence of cofactors and Hibiscus macranthus plus Basella alba (HMBA)
extracts. RESULTS: The testosterone production was increased in testes slices incubated in DME/Ham F12 medium
in response to the cofactors (49%) and aqueous extracts (34%-60% according to dilutions). Under the same
atmospheric conditions, there was no positive response of the testes slices to either cofactor or HMBA extract
stimulation in Krebs-Henseleit buffer containing 0.5% BSA. In further investigations related to the effect of HMBA, the
DME/Ham F12 medium was used. The results obtained from the in vitro test showed that the activity was present
mainly in methylene chloride and methanol, since these extracts induced an increase in testosterone production by
testes slices. CONCLUSION: The testes slice system is suitable to be used for further in vitro investigations of the
isolation of androgenic bioactive components of plants.