홍삼 사포닌 분획이 음경해면체 내압에 미치는 영향

초록

Korean Red Ginseng is reported to have a potential to improve penile erection. It is also suggested that total saponin (TS) has a dominant role over other extracts to directly relax cavernous smooth muscle. In the present study, we investigated the effect of protopanaxadiol saponin (PD) and protopanaxatriol saponin (PT), as major fractions of TS, on penile erection in the rat. We evaluated intracavernosal pressure, latency to erection and tumescence time, following intracavernosal injection with 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2mg/0.1cc of TS, PD or PT in each rat. In each group treated with TS, PD, or PT, intracavernous pressure was significantly increased in dose dependent manner (p < 0.05), without any significant change in systemic blood pressure. In comparison to erection induced electrical stimulation of cavernosal nerve, all of erection were partial. Each group was significantly elevated intracavernosal pressure(p<0.01) and tumescence of time(p<0.05). The order of sequence were PT>PD>TS in increased intracavernosal pressure. Especially, PT saponin was significantly elevated intracavernosal pressure than PD saponin at 1mg and 2mg/0.1cc concentration(p<0.05). These results indicate that each saponin induces penile erection, PT saponin is more effective than TS and PD saponin in penile erection. Clinical application of KRG require further research to identify the effective subfraction of PT saponin.