Current Status and Clinical Studies of Oriental Herbs in Sexual Medicine in Korea.
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is one of the most common diseases among aging men. Although previous studies have shown that type 5 phosphodiesterase inhibitors (PDE5-Is) are very effective for the treatment of ED, many researchers are currently attempting to identify therapeutic agents from natural sources with comparable or better effects than PDE5-Is. Herbal medicine is thought to be advantageous because it is natural; moreover, it not only treats isolated symptoms, but also maintains general well-being. Furthermore, since newly created chemical compound libraries have limited structural diversity with regard to pharmaceutical agents, more attention has recently been paid to the ability of oriental herbs to enhance physical health, including sexual function. Herein, we review the current status of Korean preclinical or clinical studies of the application of oriental herbs to sexual medicine.
Department of Urology, Chonbuk National University Medical School, Jeonju, Korea. ; Research Institute of Clinical Medicine of Chonbuk National University-Biomedical Research Institute, Jeonju, Korea.
Yu Seob
YS
Shin
Department of Urology, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, and Shanghai Institute of Andrology, Shanghai, China.
Chen
C
Zhao
Department of Urology, Chonbuk National University Medical School, Jeonju, Korea. ; Research Institute of Clinical Medicine of Chonbuk National University-Biomedical Research Institute, Jeonju, Korea.
Li Tao
LT
Zhang
Department of Urology, Chonbuk National University Medical School, Jeonju, Korea. ; Research Institute of Clinical Medicine of Chonbuk National University-Biomedical Research Institute, Jeonju, Korea. ; Clinical Trial Center for Medical Devices, Chonbuk National University Hospital, Jeonju, Korea.
Jong Kwan
JK
Park
Erectile dysfunction; Herbal medicine; Medicine, East Asian traditional; Reproductive health