Effect of Epimedium brevicornum Maxim extract on elicitation of penile erection in the rat

doi:10.1016/j.urology.2005.09.051

Urology

Volume 67, Issue 3, March 2006, Pages 631-635

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.urology.2005.09.051 Get rights and content

Abstract

Objectives

To investigate the effect and mechanism of a Chinese medicine (Epimedium brevicornum Maxim [EbM]) on elicitation of penile erection in the rat.

Methods

Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were used. The penile intracavernous pressure (ICP) was monitored. Intracavernous administration of different doses (30, 100, 300, 1000, 3000, 6500, and 10,000 μg/0.1 mL) of EbM extract and saline 0.1 mL was done. Intracavernous N^G-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME) (120 μg) was administered, followed by EbM extract 300 μg 10 minutes later. EbM extract (20, 10, and 10 μg) was stereotaxically delivered into the intracerebral ventricle, paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus, and hippocampus, respectively.

Results

After intracavernous administration of 30 or 100 μg EbM extract, no significant change in ICP was noted. All other doses (300 to 10,000 μg) of EbM extract elicited a significant increase in ICP, with the greatest peak at 99.7 ± 0.3 mm Hg (resting 7.8 ± 1.0 mm Hg) after application of 6500 μg EbM extract. No change in ICP occurred with administration of l-NAME followed by EbM extract. Furthermore, intracavernous saline or administration of EbM extract into the intracerebral ventricle, paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus, or hippocampus was ineffective in inducing a significant change in ICP.

Conclusions

These results suggest that intracavernous administration of EbM extract may elicit penile erection in the rat. Nitric oxide may be involved in this penile erection-inducing effect. No central neural effect of EbM extract may exist in the elicitation of penile erection.

Section snippets

Material and methods

The rat model we had previously established using intracavernous pressure (ICP) as an objective and quantitative experimental index for the evaluation of penile erection was used.¹¹ In brief, adult male Sprague-Dawley rats (300 to 450 g) were anesthetized with pentobarbital sodium (50 mg/kg intraperitoneally with 20 mg/kg/hr intravenous continuous infusion supplements). A 26-gauge needle was inserted into the corpus cavernosum and a cannula into the femoral artery to monitor the ICP, systemic

Results

No significant change was found in ICP after intracavernous administration 30 μg (9.0 ± 0.9 mm Hg versus 9.7 ± 0.8 mm Hg, n = 6, P = 0.157) or 100 μg (13.0 ± 2.6 mm Hg versus 13.3 ± 2.5 mm Hg, n = 6, P = 0.317) EbM extract. A significant increase in ICP occurred with intracavernous administration of 300 μg (Fig. 1 and Table I), 1000 μg (12.7 ± 1.2 mm Hg versus 70.0 ± 9.3 mm Hg, n = 6, P = 0.028; latency 1.0 ± 0.1 minute; duration 76.0 ± 14.4 minutes), 3000 μg (17.7 ± 2.9 mm Hg versus 76.3 ± 3.3

Comment

The Herba Epimedii-containing Chinese medicine mixture has been reported to have an effect to increase sexual function¹³ and to have a better erectile response in a hypercholesterolemic rat model.¹⁴ In this study, intracavernous administration of a Chinese medicine, EbM extract, induced a penile erection in terms of an increase in ICP. A dose-response increase in ICP was observed after intracavernous administration of EbM extract with a dose of 300 μg to 6500 μg. Intracavernous application of

Conclusions

The results of this study suggest that intracavernous administration of EbM extract may elicit a penile erection in terms of a significant increase in ICP in the rat. Nitric oxide may be involved in this penile erection-inducing effect. No central neural effect of EbM extract may be present in the elicitation of penile erections in the rat.

Acknowledgment

To Hui-Chen Lee who assisted with the statistical analysis.

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Epimedium L. is a celebrated medicinal genus of Chinese pharmacopoeia comprising of sixty two species, with only one species, Epimedium elatum C. Morren and Decne., in Indian subcontinent. The species is endemic to Kashmir Himalaya and grows wild as undergrowth in forests. It is a slow-growing and slow-reproducing medicinal herb, with a huge potential for being exploited for therapeutic uses, thereby necessitating its conservation, cultivation and propagation. In this context, the present work has been undertaken to develop its propagation protocol. In spring, rhizomes were divided into different sizes on the basis of the number of buds and fresh mass; planted in 10 cm pots and then evaluated for survival, growth, production and multiplication. Similarly, the divisions were made in different seasons to study the seasonal effect. Single bud divisions, with or without roots, were also made to study the effect of IBA on rooting. Rhizome divisions of larger size produced plants with the best growth characteristics and propagation potential. Plants produced from the rhizome divisions of small size didn’t flower, but showed high bud production efficiency. Rhizome divisions of spring significantly produced plants of bigger size, with better growth characteristics, than plants produced from divisions of summer and autumn. When treated with different concentrations of IBA, single-bud divisions without roots, rooted successfully; however, rooting and survival rate was significantly higher at IBA concentration of 800 ppm as compared to other two IBA concentrations. The present study indicates that small size divisions can be used in nurseries to produce more plants from a smaller number of mother stock, while large size divisions can be used to produce and cultivate mature plants. Though division of Epimedium elatum rhizomes can be undertaken at any time of the growing season, spring is the best season.
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Modern pharmacological studies and clinical practices demonstrated that Epimedium and its active constituents possess diverse biological activities like aphrodisiac [2,3], anti-osteoporosis [4,5], immunomodulatory [6,7], anti-oxidant [8], anti-tumour [9,10], anti-ageing [11], and anti-hypertensive [12]. Previous studies have reported the presence of lignans, terpenoids and flavonoid glycosides in the aerial parts of Epimedium species [13–18]. More than 260 compounds have been isolated from different species of Epimedium [19].
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The genus Epimedium: An ethnopharmacological and phytochemical review
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Nitric oxide may be involved in this penile erection-inducing effect. No central nervous system effect of the extract appears to be present in the elicitation of penile erections in the rat (Chen and Chiu, 2006). Epimedium extracts possess a male-hormone-like effect.
Epimedium (Berberidaceae), is a genus of about 52 species in the family Berberidaceae, which also known as Rowdy Lamb Herb, Xianlinpi, Barrenwort, Bishop's Hat, Fairy Wings, Horny Goat Weed, and Yangheye or Yin Yang Huo (Chinese:
). Many plants have been proven to possess efficacy on sexual dysfunction and osteoporosis in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). The paper reviews the ethnopharmacology, the biological activities and the correlated chemical compounds of Epimedium species. More than 260 compounds have been isolated; among them prenyl-flavonoids are the major constituents and also important chemotaxonomic markers. Modern pharmacology studies and clinical practice demonstrated that Epimedium and its active compounds possess wide pharmacological actions, especially in strengthening yang, hormone regulation, anti-osteoporosis, immunological function modulation, anti-oxidation and anti-tumor, anti-aging, anti-atherosclerosis and anti-depressant activities. Currently, effective monomeric compounds or active parts have been screened for pharmacological activity from Epimedium in vivo and in vitro.
Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis of metabolites in rats after administration of prenylflavonoids from Epimediums
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The metabolites in rats after administration of icariside II, icariin, epimedin C and extracts of four Epimedium species were investigated. Feces, bile, plasma and urine samples were detected comprehensively using HPLC-ESI-MSⁿ method. The structures of metabolites were identified on the basis of their characteristic fragmentations in MSⁿ experiments. Totally, 54 metabolites were identified in these biosamples. Specific hydrolysis of 7-O glucosides in gut lumen and glucuronic acid conjugation in liver were considered as the main physiologic processes of prenylflavonoids. Icariside II and anhydroicaritin were the major intermediate products in forming of mono- and di-glucuronic acid conjugations in vivo. In general, this study revealed the possible metabolite profiles of prenylflavonoids in rats, and might aid the clinical use of different Epimedium species.
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View all citing articles on Scopus

: This study was supported by a research grant VGH93-349 from the Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taiwan, Republic of China.

View full text

Basic scienceEffect of Epimedium brevicornum Maxim extract on elicitation of penile erection in the rat

Abstract

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Section snippets

Material and methods

Results

Comment

Conclusions

Acknowledgment

J Urol

J Sex Med

Am J Med

J Urol

J Chromatogr A

J Urol

Neurosci Lett

Research, Progress, Promise

Oral sildenafil in the treatment of male erectile dysfunction of broad-spectrum etiology

N Engl J Med

Sildenafil, a novel effective oral therapy for male erectile dysfunction

Br J Urol

ASSESS-3a randomized, double-blind, flexible-dose clinical trial of the efficacy and safety of oral sildenafil in the treatment of men with erectile dysfunction in Taiwan

Int J Impot Res

On-demand IC 351 (Cialis) enhances erectile function in patients with erectile dysfunction

Int J Impot Res

Basic science
Effect of Epimedium brevicornum Maxim extract on elicitation of penile erection in the rat