Erectile Function In Male Rats Research Articles

Diets supplemented with raw and roasted pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L) seeds improved some biochemical parameters associated with erectile function in rats.

This study investigated the effect of diet supplemented with raw and roasted pumpkin seeds on some key biochemical parameters relevant to erectile function in corpus cavernosal tissues of male rats. Rats were fed with basal diets (NC), diet supplemented with raw (5% and 10%) and roasted (5% and 10%) pumpkin seeds for the evaluation of adenosine deaminase (ADA), phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5), arginase, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activities, including nitric oxide level and malondialdehyde (MDA) content. Diet supplemented with roasted pumpkin seeds showed better PDE-5, ADA, arginase activities, as well as NO and MDA levels. No significant difference was observed in AChE activities of rats treated with raw and roasted pumpkin seeds. The modulatory effects of raw and roasted pumpkin seeds on enzymes associated with erectile dysfunction suggest the biochemical rationale for its therapeutic role in enhancing erectile function. However, roasted pumpkin seeds (10%, w/w of diet) possess more beneficial effects than the raw seeds. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Pumpkin is a nutritious vegetable used in folklore for the treatment of bladder, prostate, and kidney diseases. The seeds are known to contain phenolic compounds which exert different health benefits. Processing of foods has been shown to either improve the quality or reduce the bioactive components which affect its functionality. In this study, roasting improved the biochemical parameters associated with erectile function in male rats. Roasted pumpkin seeds also reduced the oxidative stress parameters in rats' penile tissues when compared to raw pumpkin seeds. This study revealed that thermal processing associated with roasting could improve the antioxidant activity of pumpkin seeds and crucial enzymes related to erectile function. Hence, consumption of roasted pumpkin seeds could be more beneficial compared to raw pumpkin seeds.

Evaluation of the in Vivo Aphrodisiac Activity of a Cyclotide Extract from Hybanthus enneaspermus.

Hybanthus enneaspermus is an Indian folk medicinal herb that has been widely used as a libido enhancer. This plant belongs to the Violaceae plant family, which ubiquitously contains disulfide-rich cyclic peptides named cyclotides. Cyclotides are an expanding plant-derived peptide family with numerous interesting bioactivities, and their unusual stability against proteolysis has attracted much attention in drug design applications. Recently, H. enneaspermus has been reported to be a rich source of cyclotides, and hence, it was of interest to investigate whether cyclotides contribute to its aphrodisiac activity. In this study, we evaluated the in vivo aphrodisiac activity of the herbal powder, extract, and the most abundant cyclotide, hyen D, extracted from H. enneaspermus on rats in a single dose regimen. After dosing, the sexual behaviors of male rats were observed, recorded, analyzed, and compared with those of the vehicle group. The results show that the extract and hyen D significantly decreased the intromission latency of sexually naïve male rats and the extract improved a range of other measured sexual parameters. The results suggest that the extract could enhance libido as well as facilitate erectile function in male rats and that the cyclotide hyen D could contribute to the libido-enhancing activity of this ethnomedicinal herb.

Tiger nut (Cyperus esculentus L.) supplemented diet modulate key biochemical indices relevant to erectile function in male rats

Tiger nut has been reportedly used in traditional medicine as sex enhancer. Hence, this study sought to investigate its effect in supplemented diet on some key biochemical indices relevant to erectile function in male rats. The rats were divided into five groups (n=8): rats fed basal diet; rats fed diet supplemented with 10% processed tiger nut; rats fed diet supplemented with 10% raw tiger nut; rats fed diet supplemented with 20% processed tiger nut and rats fed diet supplemented with 20% raw tiger nut. After 14days, the corpus cavernosum was isolated for the investigation of adenosine deaminase (ADA), acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and arginase activities as well as nitric oxide (NOx) and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents. A marked reduction in ADA, AChE and arginase activities with a concomitant increase in NOx content when compared to the control was observed. These activities could further buttress aphrodisiac properties of tiger nut as obtained in folklore.

A Chinese Herbal Formula, Shuganyiyang Capsule, Improves Erectile Function in Male Rats by Modulating Nos-CGMP Mediators

To evaluate the effects of the Chinese herbal formula Shuganyiyang (SGYY) capsule on arteriogenic erectile dysfunction (ED) in a rat model and to investigate the underlying molecular mechanism. Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to bilateral ligation of the internal iliac artery and then divided into 4 groups (n=10 per group). They were treated daily with either sildenafil (10.5 mg/kg), or SGYY at 1 of 2 dosages (1 g/kg and 0.5 g/kg) for 30 days. Erectile function was evaluated using cavernous nerve electrical stimulation after treatment, and the cavernous tissue specimens of all animals were harvested for gene and protein examination using real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, Western blot analysis, and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) measurement. The ratio of the maximal intracavernous pressure to the mean arterial pressure was significantly higher in the SGYY (1 g/kg and 0.5 g/kg) rats than that in the models (P<.01). The gene and protein expression of 3 subtypes of nitric oxide synthase (NOS)--neuropathic (nNOS), inducible (iNOS), and endothelial (eNOS)--and cGMP concentrations in cavernous tissue in SGYY-treated rats were significantly higher than in the models. However, phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) expression in the SGYY rats was lower than those in models (P<.01 or P<.05). SGYY significantly improves the maximal intracavernous pressure in arteriogenic ED in a rat model. The underlying mechanism of action of SGYY involves increasing the expression of some main factors in the NOS-cGMP pathway and reducing the expression of PDE5.

Effect of Bombax ceiba L. on spermatogenesis, sexual behaviour and erectile function in male rats

A number of herbal drugs are advocated in the traditional Ayurvedic literature for the improvement of overall sexual function. Young roots of Bombax ceiba Linn. (Fam. Bombacaceae) [correction added after online publication 1 August 2011: the family of Bombax ceiba was incorrectly mentioned as Orchidaceae. It has been corrected to Bombacaceae] also known as Semal Musli are used traditionally in Indian subcontinent as sexual stimulant. Its juice is considered nutritive and restorative tonic. Lyophilised aqueous extract of roots was studied for effect on sexual behaviour and spermatogenesis in male albino rats. Administration of 100 mg Kg(-1) body weight of aqueous extract influenced the five parameters evaluated in vivo. Sexual behaviour analysis in the presence of a female rate, serum testosterone level, anabolic effects, epididymal sperm count and seminal fructose level were the parameters evaluated. In B. ceiba extract-treated animals, a gain in body and sexual organ weights was observed. Mount, intromission and ejaculation frequencies were significantly improved (P < 0.05). An increase in serum testosterone levels was also observed, but it was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Seminal fructose content and epididymal sperm count were significantly improved as well. Penile erection index was also higher compared to control group animals. Hesitation time was significantly reduced (P < 0.01), and copulatory rate was doubled in treated animals compared with control group animals.

Chronic partial bladder outlet obstruction does not impair erectile function in male rats

To evaluate, in a well-controlled study, the effect of surgically induced partial bladder outlet obstruction (PBOO) on male erectile function in a rat model. PBOO was created in 17 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats by partial ligation of the proximal urethra. Sham-operated and PBOO rats were evaluated for urodynamic and erectile function at 4-8 weeks after surgery. Erectile responses to electrical field stimulation (EFS) to the major pelvic ganglion, and to erectogenic agents (1,1-diethyl-2-hydroxy-2-nitroso-hydrazine, DEA-NO, and Y-27632) were evaluated and the area under the curve (AUC, a product of the intracavernous pressure and duration) was used to denote the erectile response. Experimental PBOO in rats significantly increased the mean (sem) bladder weight, to 256 (25) mg in PBOO rats vs 123 (24) mg in sham controls, and the voiding frequency to 1.01 (0.1) voids/min vs 0.72 (0.14) voids/min in sham controls (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between the erectile response to EFS, with a mean AUC in sham control rats at 1.5, 3.0 and 4.5 V of 2603 (372), 3200 (332) and 3357 (166), respectively, vs 2273 (183), 3794 (211) and 4177 (306) in PBOO rats (P > 0.05); or to the erectogenic agents, the AUC for DEA-NO being 9000 (975) in PBOO rats vs 13 201 (2756) in sham controls, and the AUC for Y-27 632 being 44 915 (2462) and 45 907 (7408), respectively (P > 0.05). There was greater immunoreactivity to RhoA in bladder and penile tissues of PBOO than control rats. PBOO does not affect erectile function in rats. Additional mechanisms or pathways might be involved in lower urinary tract symptom-related erectile dysfunction in humans.

Longitudinal studies of time‐dependent changes in both bladder and erectile function after streptozotocin‐induced diabetes in Fischer 344 male rats

To provide sensitive physiological endpoints for the onset and long-term progression of deficits induced by diabetes mellitus (DM) in bladder and erectile function in male rats, and to evaluate parallel changes in urogenital and nerve function induced by hyperglycaemia over a protracted period as a model for chronic deficits in patients with diabetes. The study comprised in 877 male, 3-month-old, Fischer 344 rats; 666 were injected intraperitoneally with 35 mg/kg streptozotocin (STZ) and divided into insulin-treated and untreated diabetic groups. The rats were studied over 8 months and measurements made of both erectile and bladder function, as well as nerve conduction studies over the duration of the study. There was an early (first month) abnormality of both erectile and bladder function that persisted through the 8 months of the study. The erectile dysfunction was manifest as reduced intracavernous pressure/blood pressure ratio, and the bladder dysfunction as a persistent increase in detrusor overactivity with no detrusor decompensation. Insulin treatment prevented or modified the abnormality in each organ. Hyperglycaemia caused a progressive decrease in caudal nerve conduction velocity. The mean digital sensory and tibial motor nerve conduction velocity did not deteriorate over time. Correlation measurements of nerve and organ function were not consistent. The results of this extensive long-term study show early and profound effects of hyperglycaemia on the smooth muscle of the penis and bladder, that were persistent and stable in surviving rats over the 8 months. The physiological changes did not correlate well with neurological measurements of those organs. Significantly, diverse smooth-muscle cellular and subcellular events antedated the measured neurological manifestations of the hyperglycaemia by several months. Although autonomic diabetic neuropathy is a primary life-threatening complication of long-term diabetes in humans, this rat model of STZ-induced diabetes showed that the rapid onset of physiological manifestations was based on many molecular changes in the smooth muscle cells in this model of type 1 DM.

A new herbal combination, Etana, for enhancing erectile function: an efficacy and safety study in animals

We present herein a new herbal combination called Etana that is composed of five herbal extracts including Panax quinquelotius (Ginseng), Eurycoma longifolia (Tongkat Ali), Epimedium grandiflorum (Horny goat weed), Centella asiatica (Gotu Kola) and flower pollen extracts. Most of the above-mentioned extracts have a long historical and traditional use for erectile dysfunction (ED). On the basis of the mechanism of action of each of the above, a combination is introduced to overcome several physiological or induced factors of ED. This study was conducted to show an enhancement of erectile function in male rats. The animals were observed for 3 h after each administration for penile erection, genital grooming and copulation mounting, and the penile erection index (PEI) was calculated. The maximum response was observed at the concentration of 7.5 mg kg(-1) of Etana. At a 7.5 mg kg(-1) single dose, the percentage of responding rats was 53+/-7 with a PEI of 337+/-72 compared with 17+/-6 with a PEI of 30+/-10 for control animals. This PEI was significantly (P<0.001) higher than each single component and than the sum of any two herbal components of Etana. When compared with sildenafil citrate, Etana induced more pronounced PEI than 0.36 mg kg(-1), but similar to 0.71 mg kg(-1) of sildenafil. Furthermore, full acute and sub-acute toxicity studies showed no toxic effects of Etana. In conclusion, this study describes a new and safe combination of herbal components that enhance erectile function in male rats. Clinical studies are warranted for evaluating Etana's significance in ED.

Erectile function in male rats after lesions in the lateral paragigantocellular nucleus

In previous research on rats, lesions of the lateral paragigantocellular nucleus (LPGi) in the medulla have facilitated the display of reflexive erection and ejaculation. The present research sought to replicate and extend these findings by determining whether LPGi lesions would also promote erection during copulation and during exposure of the male to inaccessible females, i.e., non-contact erections (NCEs). As expected, males with LPGi lesions ( n=10) had a greater incidence of reflexive erection than males with sham lesions ( n=8), and during copulation LPGi-damaged males required fewer intromissions before ejaculation. However, the lesions did not change the copulatory intromission ratio, a partial measure of erectile function, nor did they change the incidence, latency, or number of NCEs displayed. More direct measures of erection will be necessary to determine whether the inhibitory role of LPGi on sexual reflexes is absent in some erectile contexts, or whether its role in some contexts is too small to be evident in behavioral measures.

Effects of chronic hyperprolactinemia on sexual arousal and erectile function in male rats.

Studies were conducted to determine if the inhibitory effects of chronic hyperprolactinemia on sexual behavior in male rats occur through reduced sexual arousal as opposed to reduced erectile function. Pituitary-grafted (hyperprolactinemic) and sham-operated, gonadally intact male rats were given standard tests of copulatory behavior, mounting behavior tests after genital anesthetization and penile reflex tests while restrained in a supine position. Beginning 7 days after pituitary transplantation, the number of erections displayed in penile reflex tests was significantly reduced in the pituitary-grafted animals. Increased intromission latencies and reduced intromission rates in tests of copulatory behavior were also observed at this time. Beginning 3-4 weeks after surgery, mounting rates were inhibited in hyperprolactinemic animals in both the copulatory behavior tests and tests of mounting behavior after genital anesthetization. Prolactin levels were significantly elevated in the pituitary-grafted animals, but serum testosterone levels were unaffected. To determine if the effects of hyperprolactinemia on erectile function occurred through changes in supraspinal input to neurons in the spinal cord controlling erectile function, pituitary-grafted and sham-operated male rats were subjected to spinal transection (between vertebral levels T6 and T9). Beginning 7 days later, penile reflex performance was re-examined. Hyperprolactinemic animals displayed significantly fewer erections during the initial test, but not in tests performed 10 and 13 days after spinal transection. The pituitary-grafted animals also showed a significant reduction in latency to the first erection with each successive test, suggesting a delayed recovery from increased supraspinal inhibitory input.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)