Fooyin Journal of Health Sciences
Volume 2, Issue 3 , Pages 98-104, August 2010

Great Burdock Extract on Rabbit Corpus Cavernosum

  • I-Jen Tseng

      Affiliations

    • Department of Urology, Fooyin University Hospital, Pingtung, Taiwan
    • I-Jen Tseng and Hsin-Hung Tsai contributed equally to this work and are considered first authors.
    • ,
  • Hsin-Hung Tsai

      Affiliations

    • Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
    • Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
    • I-Jen Tseng and Hsin-Hung Tsai contributed equally to this work and are considered first authors.
    • ,
  • Li-Chen Yen

      Affiliations

    • Department of Medical Research, Fooyin University Hospital, Pingtung, Taiwan
    • ,
  • Rong-Jyh Lin

      Affiliations

    • Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
    • ,
  • Tong-Rong Tsai

      Affiliations

    • School of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
    • ,
  • Chan-Hang Wu

      Affiliations

    • Department of Medical Research, Fooyin University Hospital, Pingtung, Taiwan
    • ,
  • Shin-Chiang Lee

      Affiliations

    • Dong Yuan Biotech Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Kaohsiung, Taiwan
    • ,
  • Yi-Ching Lo

      Affiliations

    • Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding authors. Yi-Ching Lo, Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, 100 Shih-Chuan 1st Road, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
    • ,
  • Shiu-Ru Lin

      Affiliations

    • Department of Medical Research, Fooyin University Hospital, Pingtung, Taiwan
    • School of Medical and Health Sciences, Fooyin University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
    • Corresponding Author InformationShiu-Ru Lin, School of Medical and Health Sciences, Fooyin University 151 Jinsyue Road, Daliao District, Kaohsiung 831, Taiwan

Received 28 December 2010; received in revised form 11 January 2011; accepted 13 January 2011.

Great burdock (Arctium lappa) is an edible vegetable that is also used as herbal medicines in many countries. Traditionally, burdock is used to slow aging, cure male impotence and in beauty care. However, the relevant mechanisms and scientific proof of its actions have not yet been elucidated. The expansion of the corpora cavernosum smooth muscle cells of the penis is the main regulating factor of erection, and the nitric oxide-soluble guanylyl cyclase-cyclic guanine monophosphate (NO-sGC-cGMP) pathway plays an important role in maintaining expansion of the corpora cavernosum. The current study aims are to investigate the effects of burdock extract on a rabbit's corpora cavernosum. The effects of burdock on the protein expression in the cavernosum tissues and smooth muscle cells were investigated, and the changes in cGMP level were determined via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit analysis. Our results showed that burdock extract increased the expression of neuronal nitric oxide synthase, cGMP-dependent kinase, sGCα1 and sGCβ1 in the smooth muscle cells and tissues of the corpora cavernosum, while the expression of phosphodiesterase-5 was inhibited. Additionally, cGMP levels become elevated in the smooth muscles after treatment with burdock extract. In summary, our data suggest that burdock can facilitate in the relaxation of the corpora cavernosum; however, the benefits of burdock in treating erectile dysfunction remain to be resolved.

Key Words:  Burdock extract , corpus cavernosum , male impotence , NO-sGC-cGMP pathway

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PII: S1877-8607(11)60006-4

doi:10.1016/S1877-8607(11)60006-4

Fooyin Journal of Health Sciences
Volume 2, Issue 3 , Pages 98-104, August 2010

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