• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
• /
• v.32 no.1
• /
• pp.63-70
• /
• 2005

The extracts in n-hexane layer from Lespedezea cuneata G. Don exelled at sexual activity according to in vitro experiment using biopsy of rabbit corpus cavernosum to investigate effects on sexual function. The extracts were injected into 9 samples at $10{\mu}l$. The lowest relaxation was showed at sample C, $4.8{\pm}1.4%$ and the highest relaxation was showed at sample A, $20.2{\pm}6.0%$. The relaxation by every sample, except sample C and G-1, were higher than by $10^{-7}M$ ACh, $7.8{\pm}5.1%$, and their effects were above 10%. Also, the extracts were injected into 9 samples at $15{\mu}l$. The lowest relaxation was showed at sample C, $15.4{\pm}9.7%$ and the highest relaxation was showed at sample J, $54.8{\pm}9.7%$. The relaxation by sample A and D was as much as by $10^{-6}M$ ACh, $28.0{\pm}20.1%$. The relaxation by sample H was $41.9{\pm}7.3%$. The relaxation by sample J was $54.8{\pm}9.7%$ and it was higher than by $10^{-5}M$ ACh, $53.9{\pm}25.9%$. Also, the extracts were injected into 9 samples at $20{\mu}l$. The lowest relaxation was showed at sample E, $28.9{\pm}0.6%$ and it was a little higher than by $10^{-6}M$ ACh. The relaxation by sample G was as much as by $10^{-5}M$ ACh. The two higher relaxation were showed at sample H, $99.4{\pm}16.0%$ and J, $95.7{\pm}7.2%$, and their relaxation against contraction reaction by PhE were near 100%. Experiment by sample I was not performed for lack of sample amount.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.24 no.6
• /
• pp.503-516
• /
• 2020

KCNQ family constitutes slowly-activating potassium channels among voltage-gated potassium channel superfamily. Recent studies suggested that KCNQ4 and 5 channels are abundantly expressed in smooth muscle cells, especially in lower urinary tract including corpus cavernosum and that both channels can exert membrane stabilizing effect in the tissues. In this article, we examined the electrophysiological characteristics of overexpressed KCNQ4, 5 channels in HEK293 cells with recently developed KCNQ-specific agonist. With submicromolar EC₅₀, the drug not only increased the open probability of KCNQ4 channel but also increased slope conductance of the channel. The overall effect of the drug in whole-cell configuration was to increase maximal whole-cell conductance, to prolongate the activation process, and left-shift of the activation curve. The agonistic action of the drug, however, was highly attenuated by the co-expression of one of the β ancillary subunits of KCNQ family, KCNE4. Strong in vitro interactions between KCNQ4, 5 and KCNE4 were found through Foster Resonance Energy Transfer and co-immunoprecipitation. Although the expression levels of both KCNQ4 and KCNE4 are high in mesenteric arterial smooth muscle cells, we found that 1 μM of the agonist was sufficient to almost completely relax phenylephrine-induced contraction of the muscle strip. Significant expression of KCNQ4 and KCNE4 in corpus cavernosum together with high tonic contractility of the tissue grants highly promising relaxational effect of the KCNQ-specific agonist in the tissue.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.40 no.4
• /
• pp.334-343
• /
• 2016

Background: Progressed tissue culture techniques have allowed us to easily obtain mass products of tissue-cultured mountain ginseng over 100 yr old (TCMG-100). We investigated the effects of TCMG-100 extract on erectile function using in vitro and in vivo studies. Methods: To examine the relaxation effects and mechanisms of action of TCMG-100 on rabbit cavernosal strips evaluated in an organ bath. To investigate the long-term treatment effect of TCMG-100, 8-wk administration was performed. After administration of TCMG-100, intracavernosal pressure, cyclic guanosine monophosphate and nitric oxide (NO) levels of cavernosal tissue, serum testosterone level, histological observation of collagen fiber, endothelium, smooth muscle cell, and transforming growth factor-${\beta}1$ were investigated. Results: TCMG-100 extract displayed dose-dependent relaxation effects on precontracted rabbit corporal smooth muscle. The TCMG-100-induced relaxation was significantly reduced by removing the endothelium, and treatment with an NO synthase inhibitor or NO scavenger. Eight weeks of TCMG-100 administration increased intracavernosal pressure in a rat model. The levels of cyclic guanosine monophosphate and NO in the corpus callosum and serum testosterone level were also increased by TCMG-100 treatment. Furthermore, histological evaluation of collagen, smooth muscle, and endothelium showed increases in endothelium and smooth muscle, and a decrease in transforming growth factor-${\beta}1$ expression. Conclusion: These relaxation effects on corporal smooth muscle and increased erectile function suggest that TCMG-100 might be used as an alternative herbal medicine to improve erectile function.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
• /
• v.37 no.2 s.145
• /
• pp.85-91
• /
• 2006

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of evening primrose oil (EPO) on the male sexual functions. EPO (daily 0.5 ml/mouse) was orally intubated for 28 consecutive days to experimental ICR mice, and same vol. of vehicle to control mice. On the 14th and 28th experimental day, the testis weight, number of complete intromissions and mating, serum testosterone and cGMP levels, prostaglandin leveIs of penile corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cells, and NO-productive activity of endothelial cells were determined. The weight of body and testis, the number of complete intromissions during the 3hour period were somewhat increased in EPO treated mice than those of control. The number of sperm-positive females and testosterone level in serum were increased in experimental groups. The serum cGMP level was significantly increased but the NO production of ionomycin-stimulated HUVEC cells was not affected when EPO was added into cultures. These results suggest that oral administration of EPO enhanced the sexual functions of male mice, and EPO could be developed as a tonic improving sexual functions.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.25 no.2
• /
• pp.258-267
• /
• 2004

Objective : This study investigated the effects of Yangsaengwhallyukdan on nitrite oxide synthase (NOS) activity, nitrite level, antioxidation and erectile response in rat corpus cavernosum penis. Methods : Yangsaengwhallyukdan was formulated to contain various natural products that have been used to treat erectile dysfunction. Yangsaengwhallyukdan suspended in a 0.5% CMC solution was oral-administered, 50 mg or 100 mg per 1 kg of body weight for 30 days, while the normal group was administered only with a 0.5% CMC solution. The efficacy of the Yangsaengwhallyukdan was assessed with regard to erectile function. Results: After the Yangsaengwhallyukdan was administered to the rat for 30 days, the urethral NOS activity increased. The level of urethral nitrite, glutathione and testosterone increased too. The level of urethral lipid peroxide was decreased in Yangsaengwhallyukdan treated rats. The erectile response to a cavernous nerve stimulation in L-NAME$(10^4)$-treated rats in rats given Yangsaengwhallyukdan reached the level of the normal group. Conclusions : This study suggest that Yangsaengwhallyukdan is effective for the treatment of erectile dysfunction.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.3 no.2
• /
• pp.149-153
• /
• 1995

Nitric oxide (NO) has been regarded as one of the neurotransmitters of nonadrenergic, noncholinergic (NANC) nerve stimulation in rabbit corpus cavernosum, rat gastric fundus and human intestine. PIANO (photo-induced adequate nitric oxide) is a very useful tool to investige the role of NO in various smooth muscles where NO is a mediator. The present study was undertaken to compare the physiological responses of the rat gastric smooth muscle in response to NANC nerve stimulation and to PIANO. Photolysis of L-NAME, D-NAME and streptozotocin (572) by UV light in the bathing medium caused relaxation of rat gastric fungus that contracted with carbachol, but was resistant to tetrodotoxin (TTX, 1 $\mu$M). Electrical stimulation (20 V, 2~32 Hz, 0.2 msec, 10s) of the gastric fundus, in the presence of atropine and guanethidine, induced frequency-dependent, TTX-sensitive relaxation. Sodium nitroprusside (1 nM-10 $\mu$M), a NO donor, mimicked the relaxations observed after NANC-stimulation or PIANO. Furthermore, PIANO caused UV light exposure time-dependent increase of CGMP in rat gastric fungus strips. These results provide another evidence indirectly that NO is one of the mediators of the NANC inhibitory nerve stimulation in the rat gastric fundus.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.19 no.1
• /
• pp.452-465
• /
• 1998

Rosae laevigatae Fructus extract (RLF) was tested for the effects on the urethral nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity and Antioxidation in streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats. RLF was treated firstly into samples, and then STZ induced diabetic rats were set with them. In vitro, the urethral NOS activity was not noted but the type O activity and type conversion ratio of xanthine oxidase and the level of urethral lipid peroxide were decreased in the level of Dose of extract prepared from RLF. In vivo, after the extract was administered to the animal model for fifteen days, the urethral NOS activity increased in STZ induced diabetic rats to the level of normal rats. The content of urethral nitrite and glutathione followed by RLF pre-medicating administration, increased as highly as normal group in compare with the group treated with STZ. The type O activity and type conversion ratio of xanthine oxidase and the level of urethral lipid peroxide followed by RLF pre-medicating administration, decreased as lowly as normal group in compare with the group treated with STZ. In conclusion, the extract of RLF will be able to restore erectile dysfunction of STZ induced diabetic rats.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.19 no.2
• /
• pp.112-124
• /
• 1998

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Brousson etiae fructus (BF) on the urethral nitrite level and the urethral nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity in streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats. In vitro, the urethral NOS activity was not noted in the level of Dose of extract prepared from BF. In vivo, the urethral NOS activity was increased in normal rats and STZ induced diabetic rats by dose and term of extract prerared from BF. The the NOS activity decreased in STZ induced diabetic rats was increased as highly as norma1 group by the extract of BF The level of urethral nitrite and glutathione was increased too. But the level of urethral lipid peroxide increased in STZ induced diabetic rats was decreased as lowly as normal group by the extract of BF. In conclusion, the extract of BF can restore erectile dysfunction of STZ induced diabetic rats.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.26 no.3
• /
• pp.605-614
• /
• 2005

Objectives : Ojawhan was formulated to contain various natural products known to cure erectile dysfunction. This study was aimed to investigate the effects of Ojawhan on the nitric oxide synthase(NOS) activity, nitrite level, antioxidation and erectile responses in rat's corpus cavernosum penis. Methods : Ojawhan was washed, dried in the shade and crushed. The crushed Ojawhan ,was extracted 3 times, each time with 3 volumes of methyl alcohol at $60^{\circ}C$ for 24 h. The extract was filtered and evaporated under a reduced pressure using a rotary evaporator to yield 62g. Ojawhan extract oral-administered 100 mg per 1 kg of body weight for 30 days. First, samples were treated with Ojawhan, then ethanol-treated rats and L-N-Nitroarginine methyl ester(L-NAME) treated rats were put with the samples. Result : The level of urethral lipid peroxide in the ethanol-Ojawhan double administered rats was decreased as low as in the normal group, while the one in the ethanol-treated group was increased. The urethral NOS activity, the level of urethral nitrite, the level of testosterone and the erectile response to cavernous nerve stimulation in the ethanol-Ojawhan double administered rats were increased as high as in the normal group while the one in the ethanol-treated group was decreased. The electile response to cavernous nerve stimulation and the level of nitrite in L-NAME ($10^{-4}$)-treated rats was restored by the administration of Ojawhan as high as in the normal group. Conclusions : Ojawhan was effective in restoring the ethanol-induced or L-NAME-induced erectile dysfunction in rats.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.27 no.2 s.66
• /
• pp.232-243
• /
• 2006

Objectives : Albizzia Julibrissin was formulated to contain various natural products known to cure erectile dysfunction. This study was aimed to investigate the effects of Albizzia Julibrissin on the nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity, nitrite level, antioxidation and erectile responses induced by ethanol in corpus cavernosum penis of rats. Methods : The crushed Albizzia Julibrissin was extracted 3 times, each time with 3 volumes of methyl alcohol at $60^{\circ}C$ for 24 h. The extract was filtered and evaporated under a reduced pressure using a rotary evaporator to yield 45.3 g. Albizzia Julibrissin extract was oral-administered 100 mg per 1 kg of body weight for 20 days, while the normal group was administered only with a saline. The efficacy of Albizzia Julibrissin against erectile function was examined as described in the text. Results : The level of urethral NOS activity and nitrite were increased by Albizzia Julibrissin. The level of lipid peroxide was decreased by Albizzia Julibrissin. The level of urethral lipid peroxide in the ethanol-Albizzia Julibrissin double administered rats was decreased as low as in the norma! group, while the one in the ethanol-treated group was increased. The level of urethral nitrite, NOS activity, glutathione and serum testosterone in the ethanol-Albizzia Julibrissin double administered rats were as high as in the normal group, while the one in the ethanol-treated group was decreased. The erectile response to cavernous nerve stimulation in the ethanol-Albizzia Julibrissin double administered rats increased as high as in the normal group while the one in the ethanol-treated group decreased. Conclusions : Albizzia Julibrissin was shown to be effective for the treatment of erectile dysfunction induced by ethanol in rats.