Effects of Schisandra chinensis fruit extract and gomisin A on the contractility of penile corpus cavernosum smooth muscle: a potential mechanism through the nitric oxide - cyclic guanosine monophosphate pathway.
10.4162/nrp.2018.12.4.291
- Author:
Bo Ram CHOI
1
;
Hye Kyung KIM
;
Jong Kwan PARK
Author Information
1. Department of Urology, Chonbuk National University and Research Institute of Clinical Medicine of Chonbuk National University-Biomedical Research Institute and Clinical Trial Center of Medical Device of Chonbuk National University, 567, Baekje-daero, Deokjin-gu, Jeonju-si, Jeonbuk 54896, Korea. rain@chonbuk.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Nitric oxide;
lignans;
erectile dysfunction;
PDE5 inhibitors
- MeSH:
Adenylyl Cyclases;
Biological Products;
Blotting, Western;
Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases;
Erectile Dysfunction;
Fruit*;
Guanosine Monophosphate*;
Guanosine*;
Guanylate Cyclase;
Humans;
Lignans;
Male;
Muscle, Smooth*;
Neurons;
Nitric Oxide Synthase;
Nitric Oxide*;
Perfusion;
Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors;
Radioimmunoassay;
Relaxation;
Rolipram;
Schisandra*
- From:Nutrition Research and Practice
2018;12(4):291-297
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated the effects and molecular mechanisms of the Schisandra chinensis fruit extract (SC) and its major compound gomisin A (GA), on the contractility of rabbit penile corpus cavernosum smooth muscle (PCCSM). MATERIALS/METHODS: PCCSM was exposed to SC or GA after appropriate pretreatment with nitric oxide synthase (NOS) blocker, guanylate cyclase blocker, adenylyl cyclase blocker or protein kinase A blocker. Subsequently, we evaluated the cyclic nucleotide in the perfusate by radioimmunoassay, protein expression level of neuronal NOS (nNOS) and endothelial NOS (eNOS) by western blot, and the interaction of SC or GA with udenafil and rolipram. RESULTS: Both SC and GA induce PCCSM relaxations in a concentration-dependent manner. Pretreatment with NOS blocker, guanylate cyclase blocker, adenylyl cyclase blocker or protein kinase A blocker result in significantly decreased relaxation. SC and GA also induce the levels of cyclic nucleotide in the perfusate in a concentration-dependent manner. Perfusion with GA also showed significantly higher levels of eNOS protein. Furthermore, the udenafil and rolipram induced relaxations of PCCSM were enhanced after exposure to SC and GA. Our results indicate that SC and GA induce the relaxation of PCCSM via the nitric oxide (NO)-cGMP and cAMP signaling pathways. CONCLUSIONS: The SC and GA are potential alternative treatments for men who want to consume natural products to ameliorate erectile function, or who do not respond to the commercially available medicines.