Objective To realize the effect of
icariin on erectile function of penis. Methods After the cavernous nerve (CN) of rat was isolated unilaterally, the corpora cavernosa(CC) and right carotid artery were exposed. A 26G needle
catheter was inserted into the right CC to monitor the intracavernous
pressure (ICP), and another 26G needle catheter was inserted into the left CC for drug administration. Another catheter was placed into the carotid artery to monitor mean systematic arterial blood press (MBp). Icariin of differents concentrations was administrated intracavernosally, and the ICP and MBp were recorded during electric stimulation on CN. Sildenafil and papaveine were used as controls. The
effects of nitric oxide syntheses (NOS)
inhibitor N~ω-nitro-L-arginine (
LNNA), and soluble guanylate cyclase inhibitor H- oxadiazoloquinoxalin-1-one(
ODQ) on icariin(10~(-4)mol/L) induced ICP changes were investigated also. Results Icariin, sidenafil and papaverine increased the ICP in a dose-depended manner ( P <0.01). Icariin and sildenafil did not influence the MBp( P >0.05), however, papaverine significant influenced MBp( P <0.01). EC_(50) of Icariin, sildenafil and papaveine on ICP/MBp were 2.23 μmol/L, 0.24 μmol/L and 9.73 μmol/L respectively. ODQ and LNNA significantly decreased ICP induced by icariin(10~(-4)mol/L). Conclusion Icariin increases ICP without influence on MBp and such effect is inhibited by LNNA and ODQ significantly. Icariin regulates the activity of NO-cGMP signal pathway on CC to enhance erectile function by oral therapy.