In vitro and in vivo evaluation of tissue-cultured mountain ginseng on penile erection

Cldn4 overexpression promotes penile cavernous smooth muscle cell fibrotic response via the JNK signaling pathway

BACKGROUND

Erectile dysfunction (ED), defined as the inability to achieve or maintain a penile erection sufficient to satisfy sexual behavior, is prevalent worldwide.

AIM

Using previous research, bioinformatics, and experimental confirmation, we aimed to discover genes that contribute to ED through regulating hypoxia in corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cells (CCSMCs).

METHODS

We used the Gene Expression Omnibus to acquire the sequencing data of the corpus cavernosum transcriptome for diabetic ED and nerve injury type ED rats. We intersected the common differentially expressed genes. Further verification was performed using single cell sequencing. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunofluorescence were used to investigate whether the differentially expressed genes are found in the corpus cavernosum. We used induced hypoxia to assess cell viability changes, and we developed a lentivirus overexpressing Cldn4 for in vitro and in vivo experiments to measure changes in JNK signaling, fibrosis, hypoxia, and erectile function.

OUTCOMES

Our results indicate that targeting the JNK pathway and decreasing local hypoxia may be better options for therapeutic intervention to improve erectile function.

RESULTS

We identified Cldn4 and found its expression increased in the corpora cavernosa of the 2 datasets. In addition, we found that hypoxia can increase the expression of Cldn4, activate the JNK signaling pathway, and exacerbate fibrosis in CCSMCs. Cldn4 overexpression in CCSMCs activated the JNK signaling pathway and increased fibrotic protein expression. Last, rat corpus cavernosum overexpressing Cldn4 activated the JNK signaling pathway, increased local fibrosis, and impaired erectile function.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

Through bioinformatics and in vitro and in vivo experiments, we found that Cldn4 has a negative effect on ED, and targeting Cldn4 may provide new ideas for ED treatment.

STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS

Although we have identified Cldn4 as a potential target for ED treatment, we have only conducted preliminary validation on CCMSCs, and we still need to further validate in other cell lines.

CONCLUSION

CCSMC hypoxia leads to increased Cldn4, in both nerve injury and diabetic ED rat models, and promotes fibrosis by activating the JNK signaling pathway.

Hyperspectral discrimination of ginseng variety and age from Changbai Mountain area

BACKGROUND

The efficacy and market value of Panax ginseng Meyer are significantly influenced by its diversity and age. Traditional identification methods are prone to subjective biases and necessitate the use of destructive sample processing, leading to the loss and wastage of ginseng. Consequently, non-destructive in-situ identification has emerged as a crucial subject of interest for both researchers and the ginseng industry. The advancement of technology and the expansion of research have introduced spectral technology and image processing technology as novel approaches and concepts for non-destructive in-situ identification.

METHODS

Hyperspectral imaging (HSI) is a methodology that combines conventional spectroscopy and imaging to acquire comprehensive spectral and spatial data from various samples. In this study, we investigated the use of Support Vector Machine (SVM) and Spectral Angle Mapper (SAM) classifier algorithms, in conjunction with HSI classification technology, for quasi-Artificial Intelligence (quasi-AI) ginseng identification. To enhance the hyperspectral images prior to SVM classification, we compared the efficacy of Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Minimum Noise Fraction (MNF), and Independent Component Analysis (ICA).

RESULTS

The classification of ginseng based on age was accomplished through the utilization of Radial Basis Function (RBF) kernel SVM and SAM algorithm, which was trained on feature enhanced images. The classification of WMG, MCG, and GG is primarily based on age, with the endmember spectrum serving as the foundation for SAM and SVM.

CONCLUSION

The "endmember spectrum set" derived from the classification outcomes can serve as the "mutation point" for identifying ginseng of different ages.

Erectile Dysfunction: Pharmacological Pathways with Understudied Potentials

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a public health concern worldwide. In the past, it was perceived as a phenomenon attributed to age advancement. However, more individuals are affected every year that do not fall under that age criterion. Epidemiological research revealed that this abnormality has an association with endothelial dysfunction connected to several cardiovascular (CV) risk factors. Currently, ED is interpreted as a clinical marker for future adverse events and not only as a present health issue that negatively affects the quality of life. The management of ED involves lifestyle modifications, therapeutic optimization for comorbid conditions, and pharmacological and psychosexual therapy. Phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors are the first-line pharmacological agents to be prescribed for such a condition. Nonetheless, other pharmacological pathways and agents remain underinvestigated or were investigated at some stage. This review aimed to present to future researchers interested in this field with some pharmacological agents that showed favorable effects on a limited number of studies on human subjects or experimental models.

Urine-Derived Stem Cells Versus Their Lysate in Ameliorating Erectile Dysfunction in a Rat Model of Type 2 Diabetes

Background: Diabetic erectile dysfunction (DED) is a significant consequence of diabetes mellitus, and it is a multifactorial phenomenon that has no definitive treatment until now. Many therapeutic options provide symptomatic improvement rather than addressing the underlying etiology or restoring normal function. Stem cell (SC) therapy represents a potential hope in DED management. It is well established that the regenerative effect of stem cells can be attained by their paracrine action and their ability to differentiate into many cell lineages, including endothelial and smooth muscle cells. Hence, we tried to compare the effects of transplantation of urine-derived stem cells (USCs) or their lysate (USC-L) into the corpora cavernosa (CCs) of rats with DED.

Materials and Methods: A total of 55 adult male Wistar rats were included in this study. USCs were obtained from ten healthy rats. Another ten rats did not subject to any intervention and served as a control (group I). Type 2 DM and DED were induced in the remaining 35 rats, but DED was tested and proved in only 24 rats, which were randomly divided into three groups (n = 8 in each). The DED group (group II) and either USCs (2 × 10⁶ cells) or their lysate (200 μl) were transplanted into the CCs of each rat in the other two groups (groups III and IV), respectively.

Results: Although the DED rats exhibited deterioration in all copulatory functions as compared to the control group, our histopathological, immunohistochemical, and morphometric results revealed that both USCs and USC-L have significantly restored the cavernous spaces, the ultrastructures of the endothelium that line the cavernous spaces, collagen/smooth muscle ratio, and the mean area percentage of α-SMA in the CCs as compared to DED rats. A respectable number of USCs was detected in the CCs of group III at the 4th week after transplantation, but this number significantly declined by the 8th week.

Conclusion: Both USCs and USC-L can repair the structure and ultrastructure of CCs and improve the copulatory functions in the DED rat model. However, USC-L could be better used in DED to guard against the strange behavior of USCs after transplantation and their decreased survivability with time.

Herbal Dietary Supplements for Erectile Dysfunction: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

PURPOSE

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common condition that significantly affects quality of life and interpersonal relationships.

OBJECTIVE

Our objective was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy of herbal dietary supplements in the treatment of ED.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We searched five databases to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that evaluated the clinical efficacy of herbal medicines in ED. Quality was assessed and risk of bias was estimated using the Jadad score and the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool.

RESULTS

In total, 24 RCTs, including 2080 patients with ED, were identified. Among these, 12 evaluated monopreparations (five ginseng [n = 399], three saffron [n = 397], two Tribulus terrestris [n = 202], and one each Pinus pinaster [n = 21] and Lepidium meyenii [n = 50]), seven evaluated formulations (n = 544), and five investigated dietary supplements in combination with pure compounds (n = 410). Ginseng significantly improved erectile function (International Index of Erectile Function [IIEF]-5 score: 140 ginseng, 96 placebo; standardized mean difference [SMD] 0.43; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.15-0.70; P < 0.01; I² = 0), P. pinaster and L. meyenii showed very preliminary positive results, and saffron and T. terrestris treatment produced mixed results. Several herbal formulations were associated with a decrease of IIEF-5 or IIEF-15, although the results were preliminary. The quality of the included studies varied, with only seven having a prevalent low risk of bias. The median methodological quality Jadad score was three out of a maximum of five. Adverse events were recorded in 19 of 24 trials, with no significant differences between placebo and verum in placebo-controlled studies.

CONCLUSIONS

Encouraging evidence suggests that ginseng may be an effective herbal treatment for ED. However, further, larger, and high-quality studies are required before firm conclusions can be drawn. Promising (although very preliminary) results have also been generated for some herbal formulations. Overall, more research in the field, adhering to the CONSORT statement extension for reporting trials, is justified before the use of herbal products in ED can be recommended.