Spermicidal effect of alcohol extracts from different ratios of Sophora flavescens Ait/Chinese Bulbul in vitro / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the spermicidal effect of alcohol extracts from different ratios of Sophora flavescens Ait/Chinese Bulbul in vitro.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Semen samples aseptically obtained by masturbation and prepared by density gradient centrifugation from 15 healthy men were incubated in the alcohol extracts from 9 different ratios of Sophora flavescens Ait/Chinese Bulbul for 20 seconds, 2 minutes and 4 minutes. Then the motility and movement parameters of the sperm were detected by computer-assisted semen analysis, and the minimal effective concentrations of the instant spermicidal effect of the extracts were determined.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>At the ratio of 3:1, the extract at 0.5 mg/ml significantly inhibited the sperm motility and other sperm movement parameters VCL, VSL, VAP, ALH, WOB and MAD, as compared with the control group. The minimal effective concentration of the instant spermicidal effect of the extracts was 3.5 mg/ml at 3:1.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The alcohol extracts from Sophora flavescens Ait and Chinese Bulbul at the ratio of 3:1 have the best spermicidal effect in vitro.</p>

Red clover isoflavones inhibit the proliferation and promote the apoptosis of benign prostatic hyperplasia stromal cells / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the effects of red clover isoflavones on the proliferation and apoptosis of human benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) stromal cells.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We treated human prostate stromal cells with red clover isoflavones at the concentration of 12.5, 25, 50 and 100 microg/ml, and established a PBS blank control, a dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) negative control and four finasteride positive control groups (at the concentration of 12.5, 25.0, 50.0 and 100.0 microg/ml). We determined the effects of different concentrations of red clover isoflavones on the proliferation of the cells by MTT assay and on their apoptosis by Annexin V/PI double staining flow cytometry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Red clover isoflavones inhibited the proliferation of the BPH stromal cells by 18.86% at 25.0 microg/ml, compared with 5.17% in the blank control group (P < 0.05), and more obviously at a higher concentration. At 50.0 microg/ml, red clover isoflavones exhibited a weaker inhibitory effect than finasteride (28% vs 69.88% , P < 0.05). Annexin V/PI double staining flow cytometry showed that red clover isoflavones at 25.0 microg/ml induced the apoptosis of the prostate stromal cells by (18.54 +/- 2.5)%, with significant differences from the negative control and blank control (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Red clover isoflavones can inhibit the proliferation and promote the apoptosis of human BPH stromal cells.</p>

A comparative study of the effects of Acanthopanacis senticosi injection, theophylline and caffeine on human sperm mobility in vitro / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the effect of Acanthopanacis senticosi injection, theophylline and caffeine on human sperm mobility in vitro.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We incubated the sperm aseptically obtained by masturbation from 12 asthenospermia men and treated by swim-up technique in Acanthopanacis senticosi injection (10 g/L), theophylline (3 mmol/L) and caffeine (7 mmol/L) respectively, and detected various sperm parameters with the computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) system at 0 h, 1 h and 3 h.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Acanthopanacis senticosi injection significantly increased sperm motility, the percentage of progressive motile sperm, straight line velocity (VSL) and curvilinear velocity (VCL) as compared with theophylline and caffeine (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Acanthopanacis senticosi injection can activate the mobility of human sperm in vitro.</p>

Effects of plant extract neferine on cyclic adenosine monophosphate and cyclic guanosine monophosphate levels in rabbit corpus cavernosum in vitro / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>AIM</b>To further investigate the relaxation mechanism of neferine (Nef), a bis-benzylisoquinoline alkaloid extracted (isolated) from the green seed embryo of Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn in China, on rabbit corpus cavernosum tissue in vitro.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The effects of Nef on the concentrations of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) in isolated and incubated rabbit corpus cavernosum tissue were recorded using 125I radioimmunoassay.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The basal concentration of cAMP in corpus cavernosum tissue was 5.67 +/- 0.97 pmol/mg. Nef increased the cAMP concentration in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.05), but this effect was not inhibited by an adenylate cyclase inhibitor (cis-N-[2-phenylcyclopentyl]azacyclotridec-1-en-2-amine, MDL-12, 330A) (P > 0.05). The accumulation of cAMP induced by prostaglandin E1 (PGE1, a stimulator of cAMP production) was also augmented by Nef in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.05). The basal concentration of cGMP in corpus cavernosum tissue is 0.44 +/- 0.09 pmol/mg. Nef did not affect this concentration of cGMP, either in the presence or in the absence of a guanyl cyclase inhibitor (1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one, ODQ) (P > 0.05). Also, sodium nitroprusside (SNP, a stimulator of cGMP production)-induced cGMP production was not enhanced by Nef (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Nef, with its relaxation mechanism, can enhance the concentration of cAMP in rabbit corpus cavernosum tissue, probably by inhibiting phosphodiesterase activity.</p>

Relaxation mechanisms of neferine on the rabbit corpus cavernosum tissue in vitro / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>AIM</b>To investigate the relaxation mechanisms of neferine (Nef) on the rabbit corpus cavernosum tissue in vitro.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Strips of rabbit corpus cavernosum were mounted in organ chambers. The effects of Nef were examined on isolated muscle strips precontracted with phenylephrine (PE) alone, in the presence of N(W)-nitro-L-arginine (LNNA, a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor), 1-H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-alpha]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ, a guanylyl cyclase inhibitor), indomethacin (cyclooxygenase inhibitor), tetraethylammonium (Ca(2+)-activated K(+) channel blocker), 4-aminopiridine (4-AP, voltage dependent K(+) channel blocker) and glibenclamide (ATP sensitive K(+) channel blocker). The effects of Nef on KCl-induced contraction of isolated muscle strips were also investigated. The procedure of calcium absence-calcium addition was designed to observe the effect of Nef on two components of the contractile responses to PE based on the source of Ca(2+) (extracellular vs. intracellular).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Corpus cavernosum strips relaxed in response to Nef (10(-9)-10(-4) mol/L) in a concentration-dependent manner with an IC(50) of 4.60 X 10(-6) mol/L. However, they were not affected by LNNA, ODQ, indomethacin or K(+)-channel blockers. Nef (10(-6) mol/L, 10(-5) mol/L) concentration dependently reduced the maximal contraction response of isolated strips induced by KCl to 79.3%+/-5.5% and 61.5%+/-3.2%, respectively (P < 0.01). In the calcium absence-calcium addition procedure, Nef 10(-5) mol/L inhibited both intracellular calcium-dependent and extracellular calcium-dependent contraction induced by PE (2 X 10(-5) mol/L) (P < 0.05). The inhibition ratios were 26.2%+/-5.4% and 48.3%+/-7.6%, respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The results of the present study suggest that Nef possesses a relaxant effect on rabbit corpus cavernosum tissues, which is attributable to the inhibition of extracellular Ca2+ influx and the inhibition of release of intracellular stored Ca(2+), but not mediated by the release of nitric oxide, prostaglandins or by the activation of potassium channels.</p>

Extract of acanthopanacis senticosus improves sperm motility of asthenospermia patients in vitro / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effect of different concentrations of the extract of acanthopanacis senticosus on human sperm motility in vitro and to investigate its possible mechanism.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>By computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) system, we observed the effect of different concentrations of the extract of acanthopanacis senticosus on human sperm motility in vitro. The sperm obtained by masturbation and prepared by swim-up technique from 35 men with asthenospermia was incubated in different concentrations of the extract of acanthopanacis senticosus, and all the specimens were measured at 30, 60, 120 and 180 min respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Different concentrations of the extract of acanthopanacis senticosus obviously improved the sperm motility of asthenospermia patients. The extract at the concentrations of 5 and 10 g/L increased the rate of motility (MOT), the percentage of progressive mobile sperm, the curvilinear velocity (VCL), the straight line velocity (VSL) and the average path velocity (VAP). Compared with the control group, the difference was significant (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The extract of acanthopanacis senticosus can improve the sperm motility of asthenospermia patients in vitro and its optimal concentration is 10 g/L. The study may provide a new drug therapy for asthenospermia.</p>

Effects of tetrandrine on cytosolic free calcium concentration in corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cells of rabbits / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>AIM</b>To study the relaxation mechanisms of tetrandrine (Tet) on the corpus cavernosum smooth muscle.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cells from New Zealand white rabbits were cultured in vitro. [Ca(2+)](i) was measured by Fluorescence Ion Digital Imaging System, using Fluo-2/AM as a Ca(2+)-sensitive fluorescent indicator.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Tet (1, 10 and 100 micromol/L) had no effect on the resting [Ca(2+)](i) (P>0.05). In the presence of extracellular Ca(2+) (2.5 mmol/L), Tet (1, 10 and 100 micromol/L) inhibited [Ca(2+)](i) elevation induced by high K(+) and phenylephrine (PE) in a concentration-dependent manner (P>0.05). In calcium free solution containing egtaic acid, Tet (1 and 10 micromol/L) had no inhibitory effects on [Ca(2+)](i) elevation induced by PE (P>0.05). However, Tet (100 micromol/L) inhibited [Ca(2+)](i) elevation induced by PE (P>0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Tet inhibited the Ca(2+) influx from the extracellular site via voltage-activated Ca(2+) channel and alpha(2)-adrenoceptor-operated Ca(2+) channel. At a high concentration, Tet might inhibit the cytosolic calcium pool release in cultured corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cells. This inhibitory action on [Ca(2+)](i) might be one of the relaxation mechanisms of Tet on the corpus cavernosum smooth muscle.</p>

The relaxation effects of six extracts from Chinese herbs on the corpus cavernosum tissue of rabbit in vitro / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the relaxants effects of six extractions from Chinese Herbs (neferine, tetrandrine, kakonein, scutellarin, ginsenoside Rgl and ginsenoside Rb1) on the corpus cavernosum tissue of rabbit in vitro.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Isolated stripes of rabbit corpus cavernosum tissue were precontracted with 10(-5) mol/L phenylephrine (PE). Relaxation in response to cumulative doses of six extracts at (10(-8) - 10(-3)) mol/L was determined.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>On rabbit cavernosal muscle stripes precontracted with PE, neferine, tetrandrine, kakonein and scutellarin showed dose dependent relaxation. IC50 values were 4.60 x 10(-6), 3.73 x 10(-5), 8.03 x 10(-4) and 3.33 x 10(-3) mol/L, respectively. However, in the meantime, it was found that the relaxant effects of ginsenoside Rgl and ginsenoside Rbl less significant to stripes precontracted with PE. When the final concentration was 10(-3) mol/L, the relaxations were only (16.32 +/- 5.45)% and (11.21 +/- 3.10)%.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Among the six extracts which showed relaxant effects to rabbit cavernosal muscle stripes precontracted with PE, neferine had greater functions than the other five extracts.</p>

Effects of tetramethylpyrazine on cytosolic free calcium concentration in penis corpus cavernsum smooth muscle cells in rabbits / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effects of Chinese medicine tetramethylpyrazine (TMP) on intracellular free calcium ([Ca2+]i) in cultured penis corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cell (PCSMC) in rabbits.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>By using laser scanning confocal microscope (LSCM), the [Ca2+]i fluorescence signal changes was investigated in cultured PCSMC loaded with Ca2+ indicator Fluo-3/AM and divided into potassium chloride(KCl) group and norepinephrine (NE) group. Compared with verapamil (Ver), the effects of TMP was observed in different concentrations on [Ca2+]i increase induced by high potassium and NE.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>TMP had no obvious effect on resting PCSMC [Ca2+]i. It was found that 1, 10, 100 mumol/L TMP significantly inhibited [Ca2+]i increase induced by high potassium-depolarization. The peak inhibition rates were (38.6 +/- 3.0)%, (44.1 +/- 2.4)% and (53.7 +/- 4.1)% respectively. TMP could also inhibit cytosolic calcium pool release induced by 1 mumol/L NE. The peak inhibition rates were (13.9 +/- 2.7)%, (21.2 +/- 1.9)% and (29.5 +/- 3.6)% respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>TMP can inhibit rabbit PCSMC [Ca2+]i significantly by suppressing voltage-dependent calcium channel and cytosolic calcium pool release. The effect, similar to Ver, signifies the important mechanism of erectile dysfunction (ED) therapy.</p>