World J Mens Health.  2017 Apr;35(1):43-50. 10.5534/wjmh.2017.35.1.43.

Administration of Goji (Lycium chinense Mill.) Extracts Improves Erectile Function in Old Aged Rat Model

• Moon HW
• Park JW
• Lee KW
• Jeong HC
• Choi JB
• Choi SW
• Bae WJ
• Cho HJ
• Ha US
• Hong SH
• Geum JH
• Hong SB
• Kim SW

• KMID: 2377211
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5534/wjmh.2017.35.1.43

Abstract

PURPOSE
This study investigated the effect of goji (Lycium chinense Mill.) on erectile dysfunction in old-aged rats.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Twenty-four 18-month-old male Sprague-Dawley rats (defined as old-aged rats) were used. Treatment groups contained eight rats each: a control group, goji extract of 150 mg/kg/day group, and goji extract of 300 mg/kg/day group. Treatment was by orogastric tube once daily for 6 weeks. After 6 weeks of treatment, testes weight, serum testosterone, superoxide dismutase, nitric oxide (NO)-cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)-related parameters, intracavernous pressure/mean arterial pressure, and histological changes were examined.
RESULTS
Treatments with goji extracts increased serum testosterone level, increased the expression of endothelial NO synthase, neuronal NO synthase, and cGMP, improved the oxidative stress marker, and decreased corporal fibrosis.
CONCLUSIONS
Our results indicate that goji extract may have a positive effect on erectile dysfunction via its antioxidant effects.

Keyword

Antioxidants; Erectile dysfunction; Testosterone

MeSH Terms

Animals
Antioxidants
Arterial Pressure
Erectile Dysfunction
Fibrosis
Guanosine Monophosphate
Humans
Infant
Male
Models, Animal*
Neurons
Nitric Oxide
Nitric Oxide Synthase
Oxidative Stress
Rats*
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
Superoxide Dismutase
Testis
Testosterone
Antioxidants
Guanosine Monophosphate
Nitric Oxide
Nitric Oxide Synthase
Superoxide Dismutase
Testosterone

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Intracavernous pressure (ICP) in response to electrical stimulation of the cavernous nerve in rats from each experimental group. ICP/MAP ratio. MAP: mean arterial pressure. aNormal control group (n=8), bgoji extract at 150 mg/kg/day group (n=8), and cgoji extract at 300 mg/kg/day group (n=8).

• 

  Fig. 2 (A) Western blot analysis of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), and β-actin in corporal tissue. (B) Cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) concentration in corporal tissue. *Significant difference between the control and goji groups (p<0.05). aNormal control group (n=8), bgoji extract at 150 mg/kg/day group (n=8), and cgoji extract at 300 mg/kg/day group (n=8).

• 

  Fig. 3 (A) Masson trichrome staining for collagen (blue) and smooth muscle (red) in corporal tissue. Enzymatic nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) (red) and dorsal nerve (green) (×100). (B) Smooth muscle distribution ratio. Data are expressed as mean±standard deviation. *Significant difference between the control and goji groups (p<0.05). aNormal control group (n=8), bgoji extract at 150 mg/kg/day group (n=8), and cgoji extract at 300 mg/kg/day group (n=8).

• 

  Fig. 4 Comparison of the expression levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG). *Significant difference between the control and goji groups (p<0.05). aNormal control group (n=8), bgoji extract at 150 mg/kg/day group (n=8), and cgoji extract at 300 mg/kg/day group (n=8).

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