Endothelium‐Independent Relaxant Effect of Rubus Coreanus Extracts in Corpus Cavernosum Smooth Muscle

A randomized, controlled study of treatment with ojayeonjonghwan for patients with late onset hypogonadism

Objectives: We investigate the effects of Ojayeonjonghwan (KH-204) in men with late-onset hypogonadism (LOH) symptoms.Material and methods: Initial PSA, testosterone, lipid profile and questionnaires about LOH-related symptoms were checked. After 8 weeks of the treatment (control or KH-204), questionnaires and serological tests were repeated to evaluate the efficacy of the agent. The changes of variables in each group and the difference between two groups were compared.Results: A total of 78 men were enrolled, and randomly assigned to the control group (n = 39) or KH-204 group (n = 39). Baseline characteristics of both group are comparable. AMS total score of control and KH-204 group were both improved at 8 weeks (p = .010, <.001), and there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups (favorable in KH-204 group, p = .006). At 8 weeks, total IIEF score of control and KH-204 group were both improved, and there was no statistically significant difference in the degree of improvement between the two groups (p = .303). There was no statistically significant difference of laboratory findings, in intra-group changes and inter-group comparisons.Conclusions: KH-204 was found to be effective in all LOH symptoms without changing of laboratory results. KH-204 may be safely used for treatment of male with LOH-related symptoms.

Effects of eupatilin on the contractility of corpus cavernosal smooth muscle through nitric oxide-independent pathways

Eupatilin (5,7-dihydroxy-3,4,6-trimethoxyflavone) is one of the main compounds present in Artemisia species. Eupatilin has both antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties and a relaxation effect on vascular contraction regardless of endothelial function. We evaluated the relaxant effects of eupatilin on the corpus cavernosum (CC) of rabbits and the underlying mechanisms of its activity in human corpus cavernosum smooth muscle (CCSM) cells. Isolated rabbit CC strips were mounted in an organ bath system. A conventional whole-cell patch clamp technique was used to measure activation of calcium-sensitive K⁺ -channel currents in human CCSM cells. The relaxation effect of eupatilin was evaluated by cumulative addition (10^-5  m ~ 3 × 10^-4  m) to CC strips precontracted with 10^-5  m phenylephrine. Western blotting analysis was performed to measure myosin phosphatase targeting subunit 1 (MYPT1) and protein kinase C-potentiated inhibitory protein for heterotrimeric myosin light chain phosphatase of 17-kDa (CPI-17) expression and to evaluate the effect of eupatilin on the RhoA/Rho-kinase pathway. Eupatilin effectively relaxed the phenylephrine-induced tone in the rabbit CC strips in a concentration-dependent manner with an estimated EC₅₀ value of 1.2 ± 1.6 × 10^-4  m (n = 8, p < 0.05). Iberiotoxin and tetraethylammonium significantly reduced the relaxation effect (n = 8, p < 0.001 and p = 0.003, respectively). Removal of the endothelium or the presence of L-NAME or indomethacin did not affect the relaxation effect of eupatilin. In CCSM cells, the extracellular application of eupatilin 10^-4  m significantly increased the outward currents, and the eupatilin-stimulated currents were significantly attenuated by treatment with 10^-7  m iberiotoxin (n = 13, p < 0.05). Eupatilin reduced the phosphorylation level of MYPT1 at Thr853 of MLCP and CPI-17 at Thr38. Eupatilin-induced relaxation of the CCSM cells via NO-independent pathways. The relaxation effects of eupatilin on CCSM cells were partially due to activation of BK_Ca channels and inhibition of RhoA/Rho-kinase.

Current Status and Clinical Studies of Oriental Herbs in Sexual Medicine in Korea

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is one of the most common diseases among aging men. Although previous studies have shown that type 5 phosphodiesterase inhibitors (PDE5-Is) are very effective for the treatment of ED, many researchers are currently attempting to identify therapeutic agents from natural sources with comparable or better effects than PDE5-Is. Herbal medicine is thought to be advantageous because it is natural; moreover, it not only treats isolated symptoms, but also maintains general well-being. Furthermore, since newly created chemical compound libraries have limited structural diversity with regard to pharmaceutical agents, more attention has recently been paid to the ability of oriental herbs to enhance physical health, including sexual function. Herein, we review the current status of Korean preclinical or clinical studies of the application of oriental herbs to sexual medicine.

Treatment of erectile dysfunction: new targets and strategies from recent research

In recent years, research on penile erection has increasingly been centered on the molecular mechanisms involved. Major progress has been made in the field and at present a whole number of neurotransmitters, chemical effectors, growth factors, second-messenger molecules, ions, intercellular proteins, and hormones have been characterized as components of the complex process of erection. This knowledge has led to the discovery of several new therapeutic targets and multiple medical approaches for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED). This review focuses on the progress made in this field within the last few years.