Korean J Androl.  2003 Aug;21(2):98-102.

Effects of Ginsenosides on Relaxation of Rabbit Vaginal Smooth Muscle

• Park K
• Kim GS
• Kim SO
• Kim DS
• Kim MK
• Park JK
• Nah SY
• Kim KK

Abstract

PURPOSE
Ginseng has been used throughout the Far East, including Korea and China, as a tonic and restorative agent to maintain physical vitality. The main pharmacoactive molecules of ginseng are ginsenosides. The present study was designed to investigate whether ginsenosides relax rabbit vaginal smooth muscle and whether this effect is modulated by nitric oxide(NO) and the cGMP pathway.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Strips of rabbit vagina were mounted in organ chambers to measure isometric tension. The strips were contracted with phenylephrine(5 X 10(-5) M), and the responses to acetylcholine, nitric oxide inhibitor, and ginsenosides were examined. The cGMP content of the strips was measured by radioimmunoassay after various doses of ginsenosides.
RESULTS
Ginsenosides(100~500microgram/mL) relaxed vaginal smooth muscle in a dose-dependent manner(5~25%). Acetylcholine-induced relaxation was significantly increased in the presence of ginsenosides(100, 200microgram/mL)(p<0.05). The relaxation effect of ginsenosides was inhibited by L-NAME(10(-4) M), but the difference was not statistically significant(p>0.05). Ginsenosides(400microgram/mL for 7 min) increased the accumulation of cGMP.
CONCLUSIONS
These data suggest that ginsenosides have a relaxing effect on rabbit vaginal smooth muscle. This effect is at least in part mediated by the NO-cGMP pathway.

Keyword

Ginsenosides; Nitric oxide; Female sexual function

MeSH Terms

Acetylcholine
China
Far East
Ginsenosides*
Korea
Muscle, Smooth*
Nitric Oxide
Panax
Radioimmunoassay
Relaxation*
Vagina
Acetylcholine
Ginsenosides
Nitric Oxide