RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of a combination of Yinyanghuo (Herba Epimedii Brevicornus) (HEB) and Cheqianzi (Semen Plantaginis) (SP) on erectile dysfunction caused by essential hypertension in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs), and to elucidate the role of the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2-angiotensin-(1-7)-Mas receptor (ACE2/Ang [1-7]/Mas receptor) axis in this process. METHODS: A total of 24 SHRs were randomly assigned to three groups: SHR-control, low-dose (12.5 g/kg) and high-dose (25 g/kg) HEB+SP (HEBSP). Eight Wistar-Kyoto rats were used as normal controls. HEBSP was administered by oral gavage for 28 d. Erectile function was measured once a week using the Heaton test. After 4 weeks of treatment, the corpus cavernosum was harvested from each rat to measure nitric oxide (NO), nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and Ang (1-7) levels, as well as ACE2, Mas receptor and neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) protein expression. RESULTS: After 4 weeks of treatment, HEBSP significantly increased erectile function in the treated group compared with SHR-control group (P < 0.01). Additionally, HEBSP treatment significantly increased cavernosal levels of Ang (1-7), eNOS and NO. Moreover, HEBSP significantly elevated the expression levels of ACE2, Mas receptor and nNOS. These beneficial effects were elevated in the high-dose HEBSP group. CONCLUSION: HEBSP improved erectile function in SHRs by upregulating the ACE2/Ang (1-7)/Mas receptor axis, eNOS and nNOS pathways.
Asunto(s)
Angiotensina I/metabolismo , Enzima Convertidora de Angiotensina 2/metabolismo , Medicamentos Herbarios Chinos/administración & dosificación , Disfunción Eréctil/tratamiento farmacológico , Disfunción Eréctil/metabolismo , Fragmentos de Péptidos/metabolismo , Angiotensina I/genética , Enzima Convertidora de Angiotensina 2/genética , Animales , Quimioterapia Combinada , Disfunción Eréctil/genética , Disfunción Eréctil/fisiopatología , Humanos , Masculino , Óxido Nítrico Sintasa de Tipo I/genética , Óxido Nítrico Sintasa de Tipo I/metabolismo , Erección Peniana/efectos de los fármacos , Fragmentos de Péptidos/genética , Ratas , Ratas Endogámicas SHR , Ratas Endogámicas WKY , Regulación hacia Arriba/efectos de los fármacosRESUMEN
Herb borneol is usually used in clinics for the treatment of central nervous system illness, for its ability of blood-brain barrier permeability, although its poor water solubility and poor bioavailability limit its clinical application to some degree. In this study, we developed a novel nanoparticle combining the benefits of vitamin E d-É-tocopheryl poly(ethylene glycol) succinate (E-TPGS) (or TPGS) and guar gum to get TPGS-g-guar gum as a drug delivery system to carry borneol, which could improve the solubility of borneol and increase the drug-loading capacity efficiently. The results showed that TPGS-g-guar gum nanoparticles delivery system was suitable to carry borneol and release the drug effectively, and TPGS-g-guar gum/borneol nanoparticles would be a potential platform for improving the treatment of central nervous system illness and cerebrovascular disease.