title: Shengjing Capsule Improves Erectile Function Through Regulation of Nitric Oxide-induced Relaxation in Corpus Cavernosum Smooth Muscle in a Castrated Rat Model.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effects of Shengjing capsule on erectile function in a castrated rat model, and further to investigate the underlying molecular mechanism.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into six groups (n = 5 per group), including sham group, castration group, testosterone replacement group, high-dose Shengjing capsule group, medium-dose Shengjing capsule group, and low-dose Shengjing capsule group. The weight of the body and androgen-sensitive organs, and the serum level of testosterone were assessed. Erectile function was evaluated using cavernous nerve electrical stimulation after treatment. Corpus cavernosum tissue was examined by Masson's trichrome staining, immunohistochemistry, quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, and Western blot.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Serum testosterone level, mean weights of body, and accessory sexual organs were not significantly different between Shengjing capsule treatment and the castration groups (P > .05 for all). Significant recovery of erectile function and the increased smooth muscle components were observed in the Shengjing capsule treatment group as compared with the castration group (P < .01 and P < .01, respectively). The gene and protein expression of 3 subtypes of nitric oxide synthase (NOS)-neuronal (nNOS), inducible (iNOS), and endothelial (eNOS) -in cavernous tissue in Shengjing capsule-treated rats were significantly higher than in the castration group (P < .05 for all). Phosphodiesterase type 5 messenger ribonucleic acid and protein expression in each group followed a trend similar to that of smooth muscle content.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results show that Shengjing capsule improves the erectile function by protecting the smooth muscle content and enhancing NOS activity in penile tissues of castrated male rats.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology & Andrology, Minimally Invasive Surgery Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of GuangZhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
authors.forename: Shankun
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology & Andrology, Minimally Invasive Surgery Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of GuangZhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
authors.forename: Luhao
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology & Andrology, Minimally Invasive Surgery Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of GuangZhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
authors.forename: Ran
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology & Andrology, Minimally Invasive Surgery Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of GuangZhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
authors.forename: Futian
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology & Andrology, Minimally Invasive Surgery Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of GuangZhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
authors.forename: Ermao
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology & Andrology, Minimally Invasive Surgery Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of GuangZhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
authors.forename: Tao
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology & Andrology, Minimally Invasive Surgery Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of GuangZhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
authors.forename: Jintai
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Luo
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology & Andrology, Minimally Invasive Surgery Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of GuangZhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China. Electronic address: liuluhao2011@163.com.
authors.forename: Zhigang
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Zhao
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D009126:Muscle Relaxation / Q000187:drug effects*; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology*; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000502:physiology*; D009919:Orchiectomy; D010410:Penile Erection / Q000187:drug effects; D010413:Penis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology*; D008517:Phytotherapy; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
chemical_list: D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; C532830:shengjing; D009569:Nitric Oxide