RESUMO
Diabetic erectile dysfunction (DED) is one of the most common complications of diabetes mellitus. However, current therapeutics have no satisfactory effect on DED. In recent years, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has shown good effects against DED. By now, several clinical trials have been conducted to study the effect of TCM in treating DED; yet, the underlying mechanism is not fully investigated. Therefore, in this review, we briefly summarized the pathophysiological mechanism of DED and reviewed the published clinical trials on the treatment of DED by TCM. Then, the therapeutic potential of TCM and the underlying mechanisms whereby TCM exerts protective effects were summarized. We concluded that TCM is more effective than chemical drugs in treating DED by targeting multiple signaling pathways, including those involved in oxidation, apoptosis, atherosclerosis, and endothelial function. However, the major limitation in the application of TCM against DED is the lack of a large-scale, multicenter, randomized, and controlled clinical trial on the therapeutic effect, and the underlying pharmaceutical mechanisms also need further investigation. Despite these limitations, clinical trials and further experimental studies will enhance our understanding of the mechanisms modulated by TCM and promote the widespread application of TCM to treat DED.
RESUMO
Electroacupuncture has shown protective effects on cognitive decline. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms are not clear. The present study was conducted to determine whether the cognitive function was ameliorated in cerebral hypoperfusion rats following electroacupuncture and to investigate the role of miR-137/NOX4 axis. In this study, chronic cerebral hypoperfusion (CCH) model was established by bilateral common carotid artery occlusion. Electroacupuncture treatment attenuated brain injury in CCH model group via regulating miR-137/NOX4 axis. Furthermore, the data of neuronal apoptosis and oxidative stress were observed. Our findings indicated that (1) neuronal apoptosis and oxidative stress in CCH rats were significantly increased compared with control group; (2) the animal cognitive performance was evaluated using the Morris water maze (MWM). The results showed that electroacupuncture therapy ameliorated spatial learning and memory impairment in cerebral hypoperfusion rats; and (3) electroacupuncture therapy reduces neuronal apoptosis and oxidative stress by activating miR-137/NOX4 axis. These results suggest that electroacupuncture therapy for CCH may be mediated by miR-137/NOX4 axis. Electroacupuncture therapy may act as a potential therapeutic approach for chronic cerebral hypoperfusion.