We examined the effects of trans-resveratrol on male reproductive functions; ex-vivo penile erection and in-vivo sperm counts and quality. For the ex-vivo study, the relaxation effects of resveratrol on isolated New Zealand white rabbit corpus cavernosum, precontracted by phenylephrine (5x10(-5) M) were measured. The in-vivo study measured reproductive organ weights, blood testosterone levels, testicular histopathology, sperm counts, as well as the epididymal sperm motility and deformity of male ICR mice given an oral dose of resveratrol (50 mg/ kg) for 28 days. Resveratrol elicited a concentration-dependent relaxing effect on corpus cavernosum, leading to a median effective concentration (EC50) of 0.29 mg/mL. Repeated treatment with resveratrol (50 mg/kg) did not cause an increase in body weight, reproductive organ weight or testicular microscopic findings; however, resveratrol did elicit an increase in blood testosterone concentration, testicular sperm counts and epididymal sperm motility by 51.6%, 15.8% and 23.3%, respectively, without influence on sperm deformity. In conclusion, we propose that resveratrol has a positive effect on male reproductive function by triggering a penile erection, as well as enhancing blood testosterone levels, testicular sperm counts, and epididymal sperm motility.

Anti-inflammatory effects of an ethanol extract of Angelica gigas (EAG; 50, 160, or 500 mg/kg) were investigated in a carrageenan-induced air pouch inflammation model. Injection of 1 ml of carrageenan (1%) into mouse air pouches markedly increased the exudate volume and exudate albumin concentration, which were significantly attenuated by oral pretreatment with EAG. EAG also markedly reduced carrageenan-induced infiltrations of neutrophils, monocytes, and lymphocytes, but did not influence eosinophils or basophils. Carrageenan dramatically increased levels of tumor necrosis factor-a and interleukin-6, which might be derived from the infiltrated cells. It also elevated nitric oxide, and slightly increased prostaglandin E 2 . EAG pretreatment significantly lowered tumor necrosis factor-a and nitric oxide, but did not alter interleukin-6 or prostaglandin E 2 levels. These results indicate that EAG attenuates some inflammatory responses by blocking the tumor necrosis factor-a-nitric oxide pathway, and that EAG could be a promising anti-inflammatory drug candidate for inflammatory diseases.

Anti-inflammatory effects of Houttuynia cordata supercritical extract (HSE) were investigated in a carrageenan-air pouch model. HSE (200 mg/kg, oral) suppressed exudation and albumin leakage, as well as inflammatory cell infiltration. Dexamethasone (2 mg/kg, i.p.) only decreased exudation and cell infiltration, while indomethacin (2 mg/kg, i.p.) reduced exudate volume and albumin content. HSE lowered tumor-necrosis factor (TNF)-α and nitric oxide (NO), as well as prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). Dexamethasone only reduced TNF-α and NO, while indomethacin decreased TNF-α and PGE2. The suppressive activity of HSE on NO and PGE2 production was confirmed in RAW 264.7. These results demonstrate that HSE exerts anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting both TNF-α-NO and cyclooxygenase II-PGE2 pathways.

Silks are protein polymers that differ in their components and structures according to the insects producing the silk. 1)Silks from silkworm (Bombyx mori) and spiders (Nephila clavipes and Araneus diadematus) are composed of 2 major peptides, sericin and fibroin, 2) which are well known to have pharmacological activities including anti-diabetic effect. [3][4][5][6][7][8][9] Hydrolysis of silk proteins from silkworms leads to different peptide sizes, which eventually creates peptides that are 18-19 amino acids in length, while enzymatic degradation results in specific sizes or compositions of peptides 10,11) exerting diverse bioactivities 4,12,13) such as anti-diabetic, [5][6][7][8][9] hypocholesterolemic, 10,14,15) anti-oxidant, 16,17) immunoregulatory, 18) anti-tumor, 17,19) anti-viral, 20) anti-bacterial 21) effects. Silk amino acids (SAA) were also shown to decrease blood triglycerides and to preserve hepatic function. 10,14) In our previous studies, we found that repeatedly treating resting rats with a SAA preparation lowered blood levels of tissue injury parameters from the muscles and the liver.22) Also, it increased glucose and albumin levels, and potentiated hematopioesis including lymphocyte counts. Furthermore, a high dose (800 mg/kg) of SAA exerted stamina-enhancing activity in forced swimming mice by preventing tissue injuries and increasing anti-fatigue parameters.23) Such effects led us to investigate the effects of a SAA preparation on the physical stamina (energy-boosting) and male reproductive function in a forced swimming model. Forced swimming tests have been used to evaluate the behavioral performances of rodents to predict the efficacy of anti-depressant treatments, [24][25][26] since the animals exhibit immobility behavior considered a depression-like response, as a reflection of helplessness when subjected to an incapable situation.27) Similarly, weight-loaded swimming tests have also been used as a reference for measuring the fatigue level objectively and quantitatively. [28][29][30] Recently, forced swimming tests were adopted not only to assess adjustment of rodents, but also to evaluate male reproductive function under repeated stress situations. [30][31][32][33] The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of SAA, an amino acid preparation from silk (cocoon), on physical stamina and male reproductive function. Especially, we analyzed not only the maximum swimming time and blood and tissue parameters of muscular and hepatic injuries, but also hormone concentration and sperm counts following weight-loaded forced swimming. MATERIALS AND METHODSMaterials A preparation of SAA from acid (HCl) hydrolysate of silk proteins was obtained from Worldway Co., Ltd. (Jeoneui, Korea). The SAA preparation was mainly composed of Ala (34.36%)ϾGly (27.23%)ϾSer (9.58%)Ͼ Val (3.49%)ϾThr (2.00%), and minor amino acids. 23)Animals Eight-week-old male ICR mice (29-31 g, nϭ10 per group) were procured from the Daehan Laboratory Animal Center (Eumseong, Korea). The animals were maintained at a const...

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