Relaxation Effect of Patchouli Alcohol in Rat Corpus Cavernous and Its Underlying Mechanisms

Abstract

In this study, we investigated the relaxation effect and mechanisms of patchouli alcohol (PA) on rat corpus cavernosum. Corpus cavernosum strips were used in organ baths for isometric tension studies. The results showed that PA demonstrated concentration-dependent relaxation effect on rat corpus cavernosum. The relaxant response to PA was not influenced by tetrodotoxin and atropine while it was significantly inhibited by removal of endothelium. L-NG-nitroarginine methyl ester (L-NAME, a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor) or 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ, a soluble guanylate cyclase inhibitor) significantly inhibited relaxation response to PA, whereas indomethacin (COX inhibitor) had no effect on PA-induced relaxation. The treatment of endothelium-deprived corpus cavernosum with several potassium channel blockers including tetraethylammonium (TEA), 4-aminopyridine (4-AP), and glibenclamide had no effect on PA-induced relaxation. Endothelium-deprived corpus cavernosal contractions induced by cumulative addition of Ca2+ to high KCl solution without CaCl2 were significantly inhibited by PA. Also, PA improved relaxant capacity of sildenafil in rat corpus cavernosum. In addition, the perfusion with PA significantly increased the levels of cGMP and expression of mRNA and protein of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS). Furthermore, intracavernous injection of PA enhanced the rise in intracavernous pressure in rats during cavernosal nerve electric stimulation. In conclusion, PA relaxed the rat corpus cavernosum attributed to both endothelium-dependent and -independent properties. While the former component was mostly involved in nitric oxide signaling pathway, the endothelium-independent mechanism involved in PA-induced relaxation was probably linked to calcium antagonism.

Antispasmodic Effect of Valeriana pilosa Root Essential Oil and Potential Mechanisms of Action: Ex Vivo and In Silico Studies

“…Additionally, when the tissue was pre-incubated for 20 min with the essential oil, the dose–response curves in response to KCl were significantly reduced. The action of VPEO can be attributed to its major component, patchouli alcohol (20.8%), a tricyclic sesquiterpene that has displayed similar results in other types of smooth muscle, such as the aorta [ 58 ] and rat corpus cavernosum [ 59 ]. However, the synergistic effects of other VPEO components, such as α-patchoulene (5.8%), α-humulene (6.1%), and seychellene (7.6%), at lower concentrations cannot be rejected.…”

Phytochemical Screening by LC-ESI-MS/MS and Effect of the Ethyl Acetate Fraction from Leaves and Stems of Jatropha macrantha Müll Arg. on Ketamine-Induced Erectile Dysfunction in Rats

“…It is known that cholinergic stimulation of the cavernous nerve leads to increased blood flow within the penis, on the contrary the adrenergic stimulation reduces blood flow leading to the flaccid state [ 31 ], according to our results, a relaxation was observed with sildenafil whilst SEAF and LEAF did not reveal any effect on adrenergic receptors. On the other hand, the exposition to CaCl 2 leads to extracellular calcium influx after the opening of calcium channels [ 32 ]. Although, non-significant differences were observed in LEAF and SEAF, at 0.1 mg/mL antagonized the Ca 2+ -induced contractions in rat’s penile tissue.…”

“…After mixing, the sample was incubated in the dark for 30 min and the absorbance was read at 515 nm using a Genesys 150 spectrophotometer (Thermo Scientific, Waltham, MA, USA). The standard curve was elaborated with Trolox at concentrations of 0 to 800 μmol/mL [ 32 ]. The Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) was expressed as μmol Trolox equivalent per gram of extract (µmol TE/g of extract).…”

Exploratory fNIRS Assessment of Differences in Activation in Virtual Reality Visual Self-Expression Including With a Fragrance Stimulus

“…Olfactory perception is well known to have strong connections with the amygdala and activates brain areas that regulate emotions, such as the orbitofrontal cortex, hippocampus, and amygdala (Kadohisa, 2013;Wilson & Stevenson, 2003). Willander and Larsson (2006) demonstrated that memories induced by olfactory stimulation were associated with stronger feelings compared to other visual and auditory systems including relaxant effects and impacts on mood (Chen et al, 2020;Genc & Saritas, 2020;Krusemark et al, 2013). Recent research shows that the existence of pleasant fragrances resulted in improved creativity (Baron & Thomley, 1994;Ehrlichman & Bastone, 1992), and that olfactory cues helped participants better perceive emotions (Xiang et al, 2016).…”