옻나무 플라보노이드가 수컷 백서의 성행동에 미치는 영향

The Effect of Flavonoid Fraction Extracted from Rhus verniciflua Stokes on Sexual Behavior in SD Male Rats

Rhus verniciflua Stokes (RVS) has been used as a food supplement and a traditional herbal medicine for a men's sexual enhancement. In this study, we prepared a flavonoid fraction (RWE) from a hot water extract of RVS and its influence on sexual behavior was studied in male rats which were orally administered varying doses of RWE for 2 weeks. All doeses of RWE stimulated sexual behavior in male rats such as reducing mounting latency and enhancing mount frequencies. However, intermission numbers were not changed and none of group can observe the ejaculation during behavioral testing time 5 min. Testosterone levels were increased about 0~53% and 92~164% by the treatment of RWE for 1 and 2 weeks, respectively. However, estrogen levels in male rats teded to decrease in a dose dependent manner of RWE. At the dose of RWE 200㎎/㎏, estrogen level was reduced to 77.5% and 70.3% of control after 1 and 2 weeks treatment. These findings suggest that the Rhus flavonoid fraction can stimulate the androgen-dependent male sexual behavior and it can applied to the material of functional food for enhancing the sexual function.