Overview of Traditional Chinese Medicine Theory and Research Progress in Treating Erectile Dysfunction through the Five Vis-ceral Organs
10.16466/j.issn1005-5509.2025.06.020
- VernacularTitle:从五脏论治勃起功能障碍中医理论概述及相关研究进展
- Author:
Quhua WEN
1
;
Miaoyong YE
;
Wentao YANG
Author Information
1. 广西中医药大学 南宁 530299;南通大学附属医院
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
the five visceral organs;
erectile dysfunction;
traditional Chinese medicine theory;
scientific connotation;
pathogenesis;
mechanism of action;
research progress
- From:
Journal of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University
2025;49(6):791-798
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
[Objective]To summarize the traditional Chinese medicine theoretical basis for treating erectile dysfunction(ED)from the five visceral organs,and to explore its potential scientific connotations from the perspective of integrated traditional Chinese and western medicine,in order to provide scientific basis for the clinical treatment.[Methods]This paper retrieved relevant literature on the treatment of ED based on the theory of the five visceral organs from databases such as CNKI and PubMed in the past 30 years,and summarized the theoretical basis of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)for treating ED based on the theory of the five visceral organs,as well as related research progress.[Results]Dysfunction of the five visceral organs can all lead to ED.The scientific basis for treating ED from the perspective of the five visceral organs primarily involves the neuro-endocrine-immunity(NEI)network,endothelial dysfunction,inflammation/oxidative stress,mitochondrial function and autophagy,and metabolic disorders.It encompasses the nitric oxide/cyclic guanosine monophosphate(NO/cGMP)pathway,the cyclic adenosine monophosphate/protein kinase A(cAMP/PKA)pathway,and the Ras homolog gene family member A/Rho-associated coiled-coil forming protein kinase(RhoA/ROCK)pathway which regulate penile erection.Treating ED from the kidney perspective is primarily related to the NEI network,stem cells(SCs)and vitamin D.Treating ED from the liver perspective is mainly associated with prolactin(PRL),cyclic adenosine monophosphate(cAMP)and the smooth muscle system.Treating ED from the spleen perspective is primarily linked to abnormal lipid metabolism and mitochondrial autophagy decline.Treating ED from the heart perspective is mainly related to vascular endothelial dysfunction.The scientific basis for treating ED from the lung perspective remains to be studied.[Conclusion]The theoretical foundation of TCM for ED caused by dysfunction of the five visceral organs is abundant,and its pathological and physiological processes involve multiple signaling pathways and regulatory networks.Studying its scientific connotation can provide more ideas and basis for clinical treatment.
