Repeated acute and accumulative effects of Cordymax‐6 on sexual function enhancement in orchiectomized rats

Abstract

Cordyceps sinensis (Cs) is widely used in anti‐fatigue and sexual function enhancement as a traditional Chinese medicine (JACM 4:289 & 429, 1998). We reported the improvement of the sexual enhancement activity of CM6 (a super CM product) through PDE5 inhibition and central pathways (FASEB J 22:1137.5, 2008). In this study, we investigated the repeated effects of CM6 on acute sexual enhancement in rats. Male SD rats underwent bilateral orchiectomy and recovered for 2 wks. They then received oral CM6 (0.6, 1.2 or 1.8g/kg) or testosterone propionate (2mg/kg) for 3 days repeatedly with a washout interval of 3 wks. Erection latency (EL) was assessed on Days 1 & 3 of the treatments. During the first 3‐day treatment, EL was shortened in orchiectomized rats received CM6 at 1.8g/kg on Day 1 (p=0.003), and at 1.2 and 1.8g/kg on Day 3 (p=0.022, p=0.0028), compared to controls. In the second treatment period after a 3‐wk washout, EL was shortened in all 3 dosage groups on day 1 (p<0.0005) and day 3 (p<0.013). We demonstrate in this study the dose‐dependent, EL‐shortening activity of CM6 in bilateral orchiectomized rats during repeated treatments in acute and 3‐day accumulative experimental settings, confirming the sexual enhancement function of CM6.