Administration of Goji (Lycium chinense Mill.) Extracts Improves Erectile Function in Old Aged Rat Model

Modulating effects of oral administration of Lycii Fructus extracts on UVB‑induced skin erythema: A Randomized, placebo‑controlled study

Severe UV exposure induces skin inflammation, causing erythema. Lycii Fructus (Lycium barbarum and Lycium chinense) is a potential antioxidant agent with a high content of polyphenols, including rutin and chlorogenic acid. This study examined the effects of Lycii Fructus extract (LFE) on UVB-induced skin erythema in humans. Healthy volunteers were randomly assigned to one of two groups and received UVB irradiation at 1.5 minimal erythemal dose (MED) on day 0 at three designated sites on their backs, and the skin color was measured until day 7. After an 8-week treatment with LFE (900 mg/day) or placebo, UVB irradiation (l.5 MED) was applied again at different sites on day 63. Skin color was continuously measured in each group until day 69. LFE tablet administration for 8 weeks significantly inhibited UVB-induced erythema formation and increased the MED by 13%. Erythema formation peaked on the first day after UVB irradiation, but gradually dissipated over the next several days. LFE tended to accelerate erythema disappearance. To determine the polyphenol responsible for the protection against UVB-induced skin damage, the effects of LFE-derived polyphenols and their metabolites on UVB-induced cytotoxicity were examined in vitro. The major intestinal metabolite of rutin and LFE significantly attenuated phototoxicity and in human keratinocyte HaCaT cells. Quercetin enhanced intracellular glutathione levels in HaCaT cells, even though LFE did not increase it. Together, the results showed that LFE inhibited erythema formation and accelerated erythema dissipation, possibly through its direct antioxidative action.

The Herbal Cocktail GSYJ Attenuated Airway Inflammatory Cell Infiltration in a Chronic Asthmatic Mouse Model

This study explored the potential therapeutic efficacy of GSYJ in attenuating asthma symptom severity and aimed to determine the immunomodulatory mechanism of GSYJ. A mouse model of chronic asthma induced by repeated Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Der p) challenge was established. In addition, 30 minutes before Der p challenge, the mice were orally administered GSYJ (1 g/kg). The mice were sacrificed to evaluate inflammatory cell infiltration, collagen deposition in the lung, total IgE in serum, and expression profiles of various cytokines in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and various genes in lung tissue. Furthermore, 30 minutes after the addition of GSYJ to RAW264.7 cell cultures, 100 ng/ml LPS was added to evaluate the effect of the drug on the LPS-induced expression of genes, proteins, and transcription factors. GSYJ may regulate transcription factors (cJUN/IRF3/NF-κB) to decrease the expression of IL-1β, IL-6, RANTES, and iNOS in macrophages and affect the IL-12, IFN-γ, IL-5, and IL-6 levels in the BALF of mice to relieve asthma symptoms, such as inflammatory cell infiltration, hyperresponsiveness, and increased serum total IgE levels. Therefore, GSYJ has the potential to be developed into a drug treatment for chronic asthma.

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.

The protective effect of Ferula elaeochytris on age-related erectile dysfunction

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Ferula elaeochytris Korovin (FE) is a perennial medicinal plant of Apiaceae family. Ferula elaeochytris Korovin, known as 'Çakşır' in Anatolia, is widely used as an aphrodisiac as well as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-diabetic.

AIM OF THE STUDY

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a serious public health problem that has a high prevalence and negatively affects the quality of life in elderly men. In the treatment and prophylaxis of many diseases, because of widely increasing use of plant extracts as therapeutic agents, preclinical studies related to plant extracts are becoming more important by the day. In this study, we aimed to investigate the protective effect of Ferula elaeochytris Korovin (FE) root extract on age-related ED.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Seventy-two male Wistar albino rats were equally divided into four groups: 4-month aged rats (Y), 24-month aged rats (AG), and FE-administered (20 and 40 mg/kg/day; oral gavage; over 8 weeks) 24-month aged rats (AG + FE). The measurements included: changes in smooth muscle cells and collagen fibrils, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), penile neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) expression, serum testosterone concentrations (ST), neurogenic- and endothelial-dependent relaxations of the corpus cavernosum (CC), intracavernosal pressure/mean arterial pressure (ICP/MAP), area under the curve (total ICP), total antioxidant status (TAS), and total oxidant status (TOS) on corpus cavernosal tissue.

RESULTS

These results have an important role in the development of ED. ICP/MAP, total ICP, eNOS/nNOS expressions and ST levels increased in AG+40 mg FE group compared to the AG group, whereas TNF-α levels decreased and oxidative and antioxidant parameters balanced.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings show that FE may have a useful effect on decelerating the development of age-related ED.

DFSG, a novel herbal cocktail with anti-asthma activity, suppressed MUC5AC in A549 cells and alleviated allergic airway hypersensitivity and inflammatory cell infiltration in a chronic asthma mouse model

AIM OF THE STUDY

To develop a novel anti-asthma drug. DFSG is a novel herbal cocktail composed of 4 types of herbal medicines. This study explored whether DFSG has the potential to attenuate asthma symptom severity and aimed to determine the immunomodulatory mechanism of DFSG using a chronic asthmatic mouse model induced by repeated challenges with Dermatogoides pteronyssinus (Der p).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

BALB/c mice were intratracheally inoculated with Der p (50 μl, 1 mg/ml) once a week for 5 weeks. In addition, 30 min before Der p challenge, the mice were orally administered 1x DFSG (1 g/kg) or 1/2x DFSG (0.5 g/kg). Three days after the final challenge, the mice were sacrificed to evaluate inflammatory cell infiltration, lung histological features, blood total IgE, and cytokine levels in pulmonary alveolar lavage fluid. Furthermore, 30 min after the addition of DFSG, caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid or chlorogenic acid to A549 cells, 10 ng/ml IL-1β was added to evaluate the effect of the drug on mucin 5AC (MUC5AC) gene expression after stimulation of A549 cells by IL-1β.

RESULTS

DFSG significantly reduced Der p-induced airway hyperresponsiveness, bronchial inflammatory cell infiltration, and total IgE and IgG1 serum levels. Furthermore, DFSG significantly inhibited T_H2 cytokines and increased the expression of T_H1 cytokines. In addition, immunohistochemical staining demonstrated that DFSG inhibited MUC5AC expression in the bronchial epithelial cells. DFSG and a mixture of caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid, and chlorogenic acid inhibited MUC5AC gene expression in A549 cells after stimulation with IL-1β.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that by regulating T_H1 and T_H2 cytokines and MUC5AC expression, DFSG exhibits anti-airway inflammatory cell infiltration and anti-hyperresponsiveness activity and inhibits specific immunity in a chronic asthmatic mouse model. Therefore, DFSG has potential for development into a drug for chronic asthma treatment.

C-Type Natriuretic Peptide/Natriuretic Peptide Receptor 2 Is Involved in Cell Proliferation and Testosterone Production in Mouse Leydig Cells

Purpose

This study investigated the role of natriuretic peptide receptor 2 (NPR2) on cell proliferation and testosterone secretion in mouse Leydig cells.

Materials and Methods

Mouse testis of different postnatal stages was isolated to detect the expression C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) and its receptor NPR2 by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Leydig cells isolated from mouse testis were cultured and treated with shNPR2 lentiviruses or CNP. And then the cyclic guanosine monophosphate production, testosterone secretion, cell proliferation, cell cycle and cell apoptosis in mouse Leydig cells were analyzed by ELISA, RT-qPCR, Cell Counting Kit-8, and flow cytometry. Moreover, the expression of NPR2, cell cycle, apoptosis proliferation and cell cycle related gene were detected by RT-qPCR and Western blot.

Results

Knockdown of NPR2 by RNAi resulted in S phase cell cycle arrest, cell apoptosis, and decreased testosterone secretion in mouse Leydig cells.

Conclusions

Our study provides more evidences to better understand the function of CNP/NPR2 pathway in male reproduction, which may help us to treat male infertility.

Priapism caused by "Rhino 7 Platinum 3000" an over-the-counter male enhancement supplement

Male enhancement and erectile dysfunction supplements are typically non-Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved and readily available for purchase by anyone. Longstanding priapism is a significant potential side effect. A 25-year-old man presented with a 48-h priapism after taking Rhino 7 Platinum 3000. He required bilateral corpo-glanular shunting to alleviate his priapism. On initial 2-week follow-up, he had significant fibrosis of the corporal bodies bilaterally and had been unable to achieve an erection. There are few studies performed and few case reports regarding the roles of various supplements in causing priapism. We are unaware of any studies regarding Rhino 7 Platinum 3000. Interestingly, since our initial contact with the FDA Safety Reporting Portal, multiple investigations of Rhino products have demonstrated that sildenafil is a non-labeled ingredient. Given the lack of FDA oversight of many other supplements similar to this one, patients must be wary that the ingredients listed may not be comprehensive and that serious side effects can occur.

Efficacy and Safety of a Mixed Extract of Trigonella foenum-graecum Seed and Lespedeza cuneata in the Treatment of Testosterone Deficiency Syndrome: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial

Purpose

The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of a mixed extract of Trigonella foenum-graecum seed and Lespedeza cuneata (TFGL) for the treatment of testosterone deficiency syndrome (TDS).

Materials and Methods

Patients were instructed to take a placebo or 200 mg TFGL capsule twice per day for 8 weeks. The primary efficacy variable was the change from baseline in the Aging Males' Symptoms scale (AMS), as well as levels of serum total and free testosterone. Secondary efficacy measurements included changes from baseline in the number of ‘yes’ answers on the Androgen Deficiency in the Aging Male (ADAM) questionnaire, levels of serum total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglyceride, all domain scores of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF), perceived stress scale-10 (PSS-10), as well as changes in body composition.

Results

The TFGL group exhibited a significant improvement in the AMS scores at 8 weeks, total testosterone at 8 weeks, and free testosterone at 4 and 8 weeks. At 4 weeks, 25% of the TFGL group changed to negative in terms of ADAM scores and 34.1% of the TFGL group had negative scores at the end of the study. The TFGL group exhibited a significant improvement in total cholesterol, HDL-C, LDL-C, triglyceride, IIEF scores, and PSS-10 scores at 8 weeks.

Conclusions

The mixed extract of TFGL resulted in significant improvements in symptoms of TDS, as measured by the AMS, ADAM, PSS-10 and testosterone levels.

Penile Erection Induced by Scoparone from Artemisia capillaris through the Nitric Oxide-Cyclic Guanosine Monophosphate Signaling Pathway

Purpose

The objective of this study was to evaluate the relaxant effect of scoparone from Artemisia capillaris on rabbit penile corpus cavernosum smooth muscle (PCCSM) and to elucidate the mechanism of action of scoparone for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED).

Materials and Methods

PCCSM that had been precontracted with phenylephrine was treated with 3 Artemisia herbs (A. princeps, A. capillaris, and A. iwayomogi) and 3 fractions (n-hexane, ethyl acetate, and n-butanol) with different concentrations (0.1, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 mg/mL). Four components (esculetin, scopoletin, capillarisin, and scoparone) isolated from A. capillaris were also evaluated. The PCCSM was preincubated with Nω-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride (L-NAME) and 1H-[1,2,4] oxadiazolo [4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ). Cyclic nucleotides in the perfusate were measured by a radioimmunoassay. The interactions of scoparone with udenafil and rolipram were also evaluated.

Results

A. capillaris extract relaxed PCCSM in a concentration-dependent manner. Scoparone had the highest relaxant effect on PCCSM among the 4 components (esculetin, scopoletin, capillarisin, and scoparone) isolated from the ethyl acetate fraction. The application of scoparone on PCCSM pretreated with L-NAME and ODQ led to significantly less relaxation. Scoparone also increased the cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) levels in the perfusate in a concentration-dependent manner. Furthermore, scoparone enhanced udenafil- and rolipram-induced relaxation of the PCCSM.

Conclusions

Scoparone relaxed the PCCSM mainly by activating the nitric oxide-cGMP signaling pathway, and it may be a new promising treatment for ED patients who do not completely respond to udenafil.