Effect of lipid-based suspension of Epimedium koreanum Nakai extract on sexual behavior in rats.
BACKGROUND
Herba of Epimedium koreanum is used in traditional Chinese and Korean herbal medicine as a potent enhancer of erectile function. Icariin, the main active component of Epimedium koreanum, possesses many biological effects, such as improving cardiovascular function, hormone regulation, immunological function modulation, and anti-tumor activity.


OBJECTIVE
This study supports the traditional use of extracts from Epimedium species in erectile dysfunction.


METHODS
The Epimedium koreanum dry extract was suspended in wheat germ oil using lecithin and bee wax for oral administration. The effect of oral administration of two compositions (E-01 and E-02) standardized by their icariin content on the number of complete intromissions, the number of ejaculations, and the latent period of ejaculation (LPE) in rats were evaluated. E-01 and E-02 were administered orally for 10 days to the experimental animals. The control animals received olive oil for 10 days. On day 10, 0.5h after the dose was administered to male rats, one virgin female rat was placed with one male rat.


RESULTS
The number of complete intromissions increased to 23.3+/-2.6 in the E-01 and E-02 group (dose 300 mg/kg body weight) (b.wt) and to 20.1+/-2.3 in the E-02 group (dose 750 mg/kg b.wt) compared with 15.2+/-2.4 in the control group of aged rats. The number of ejaculations increased from 1.1+/-0.3 in the control-aged group to 2.6+/-0.4 in the E-01 group. The LPE of male rats was 14.2+/-1.8 min in the control-aged group. The LPE of the aged group was reduced to 9.8+/-1.5 min, 9.8+/-1.6 min, and 11.4+/-1.8 min when treated with E-01 at a dose of 300 mg/kg b.wt, and E-02 at a dose of 300 mg/kg b.wt and 750 mg/kg b.wt, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
It was established that oral administration of lipid-based suspension of dry extract of Epimedium koreanum in wheat germ oil improved erectile function of aged rats.
Makarova
Marina N
MN
Interregional Center Adaptogen, 47/5 Piskarevsky pr., 195067 St.-Petersburg, Russia.
Pozharitskaya
Olga N
ON
Shikov
Alexander N
AN
Tesakova
Svetlana V
SV
Makarov
Valery G
VG
Tikhonov
Vladimir P
VP
D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D034181:Epimedium; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D008516:Medicine, Chinese Traditional; D010410:Penile Erection / Q000187:drug effects; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000008:administration & dosage; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*; D013535:Suspensions
D010936:Plant Extracts; D010938:Plant Oils; D013535:Suspensions; C050055:wheat germ oil