title: Fermentation filtrates of Rubus coreanus relax the corpus cavernosum and increase sperm count and motility.
abstract: We investigated the effects of fermentation filtrates from Rubus coreanus on the function of the male reproductive system. We performed an ex vivo study to determine if the candidate compounds relax isolated New Zealand white rabbit corpus cavernosum, which were precontracted by phenylephrine (5 x 10(-5) M). The results reveal that the filtrates of the reddish-purple (FRRC) and green (FGRC) R. coreanus exerted concentration-dependent relaxing effects, leading to median effective concentrations of 4.53 mg/mL and >10 mg/mL, respectively. For the in vivo study, male ICR mice were orally administered FRRC or FGRC (100 or 500 mg/kg) for 28 days, and the reproductive organ weights, serum testosterone level, cauda epididymal sperm counts, and motility were analyzed. Both the FRRC and FGRC had no significant effect on the reproductive organ weights; however, FRRC (100 or 500 mg/kg) enhanced testosterone levels and especially sperm counts at the higher dose (500 mg/kg). In comparison, FGRC increased hormone levels and sperm counts at a relatively low dose (100 mg/kg). In summary, it is proposed that the crude fermentation filtrates of ripe R. coreanus have positive effects on the function of the male reproductive system by triggering a penile erection, enhancing serum testosterone levels, and increasing epididymal sperm counts.
authors.affiliation: College of Veterinary Medicine and Research Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Chungbuk, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jeong Hee
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Jeon
authors.forename: Sunhee
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.forename: Dongsun
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Ja Young
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Jang
authors.forename: Byong-il
authors.initials: BI
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Jong-Koo
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.forename: Seong Soo
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Joo
authors.forename: Seock-Yeon
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Hwang
authors.forename: Jong-Choon
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Byung-Yul
authors.initials: BY
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Mee Ree
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Yun-Bae
authors.initials: YB
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000188:drug therapy; D005285:Fermentation; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D009929:Organ Size; D010413:Penis / Q000187:drug effects*; D010656:Phenylephrine / Q000009:adverse effects; D008517:Phytotherapy; D028321:Plant Preparations; D011817:Rabbits; D027824:Rosaceae; D013076:Sperm Count; D013081:Sperm Motility; D013737:Testis / Q000187:drug effects*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D028321:Plant Preparations; D010656:Phenylephrine; D013739:Testosterone