음경해면체 평활근의 이완에 대한 인진쑥으로부터 유래한 Esculetin의 효과

Effect of Esculetin from Artemisia capillaris on the Relaxation of Penile Corpus Cavernosum Smooth Muscle

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relaxant effect and action mechanism of esculetin from Artemisia capillaris on penile corpus cavernosum smooth muscle (PCCSM). Esculetin (10-7, 10-6, 10-5 and 10-4 M) induced PCCSM relaxation in a concentration-dependent manner. The pretreatment with nitric oxide synthase inhibitor (Nω-Nitro-L-arginine methyl ester, L-NAME) and guanylate cyclase inhibitor (1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one, ODQ) significantly blocked the relaxation. Esculetin significantly increased level of cGMP in perfusate and enhanced phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5 Is)-induced relaxation in PCCSM. Esculetin relaxed the smooth muscle of rabbit penile corpus cavernosum by activating NO-cGMP signaling pathway and it may be an alternative medicine or supplement for improving erectile dysfunction in patients who do not completely respond to PDE5 Is.