Effects of Korean ginseng berry extract (GB0710) on penile erection: evidence from in vitro and in vivo studies

Abstract

Several reports have promoted the root-derived Korean red ginseng (KRG; Panax ginseng) as alternative treatment for erectile dysfunction (ED), and ginsenosides are known to be the principal active ingredients of ginseng. Recent studies showed that ginseng berries produce more ginsenosides than KRG; thus, we investigated the ability of the Korean ginseng berry extract GB0710 to relax the penile corpus cavernosum smooth muscle (CCSM) in this study. As a comparative control, the results were compared to those obtained using KRG. In addition, possible mechanisms of action for GB0710 were investigated. While KRG and GB0710 both displayed dose-dependent relaxation effects on precontracted rabbit CCSM in vitro, GB0710 was shown to be more potent than KRG. The GB0710-induced relaxation could be partially reduced by removing the endothelium. In addition, pre-treatment with several nitric oxide (NO) inhibitors significantly inhibited the relaxation of muscle strips. Furthermore, administration of GB0710 increased intracavernosal pressure (ICP) in a rat in vivo model in both a dose-and duration-dependent manner. Intracellular NO production in human microvascular endothelial cells could be induced by GB0710 and inhibited by N G -monomethyl-L-arginine. In conclusion, GB0710 had a greater relaxation effect on rabbit CCSM than did KRG extract, and increased ICP in a rat model in both a dose-and a duration-dependent manner. This relaxing effect might be mediated by NO production. Keywords: corpus cavernosum; erectile dysfunction (ED); ginseng berry; nitric oxide (NO); smooth muscle INTRODUCTION Erectile dysfunction (ED) is defined as the inability to attain or maintain penile erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual intercourse. ED is a common condition in middle-aged men that has serious adverse effects on quality of life. It has been reported that approximately 50% of men aged 40-80 years suffer from ED to some degree. 1 One of the etiological causes of ED is the reduced bioavailability of nitric oxide (NO). This causes insufficient relaxation of smooth muscle in the penile corpus cavernosum, leading to a subsequently insufficient inflow of blood. Several extensive studies have investigated the positive effects of ginseng on ED, thereby implicating the NO pathway as the mechanism of action. 2,3 Among these, various reports have promoted the root-derived Korean red gingseng (KRG; Panax ginseng) as alternative treatment for ED, citing the stimulatory effect of KRG on the corpus cavernosum smooth muscle (CCSM) of the penis. [4][5][6] The principal active ingredients of ginseng are ginsenosides (also called ginseng saponins), which are amphiphilic molecules comprised of an aglycon backbone (a hydrophobic four-ring steroid-like structure) linked to hydrophilic carbohydrate side chains that consist of monomers, dimers and tetramers. 5,7 Ginsenoside is widely and variably distributed thoughout the ginseng plant. 8 Kim et al. 9 investigated the ginsenoside content of Korean ginseng, indicating ginseng berries (GB) and ginseng r...

The Old Made New: Natural Compounds against Erectile Dysfunction

“…Sperm count and motility were also increased in treated male rats [51]. The fact that Cho et al [52] demonstrated that the relaxation effect of ginseng berry extracts on corpus cavernosum smooth muscle can be partially reduced by pre-treating the tissue with various NO inhibitors seems to support these demonstrations. In addition to this, from a study by Hong et al [53] on patients with untreated ED (double-blind, placebo-controlled), it has been shown that Korean red ginseng can improve the scores for erectile function (60% of the treated patients, vs. 20% of the ones treated with placebo), sexual desire, and intercourse satisfaction.…”

Ginseng and male reproductive function

“…In animal studies, treatment with Korean red ginseng and ginseng berry extract has been shown to significantly relax the pre-contracted penile corpus cavernosum smooth muscles of rabbits in vitro, and increase the intracavernosal pressure of rats in vivo 9 , 10 . Data from studies on ginseng berry extract suggest that this action is nitric oxide (NO) dependent.…”

Radiation-induced erectile dysfunction: Recent advances and future directions

“…Red ginseng stimulates NO synthase, increasing the production of NO and blood flow into the corpora cavernosa. Studies in rabbit models have shown dose-dependent relaxation of smooth muscle within the corpora cavernosa as well as an increase in intracavernosal pressure 76 . It has been proposed that Ginkgo biloba induces production of NO in endothelial cells while simultaneously relaxing vascular smooth muscle cells.…”