Role of Nanotechnology in Erectile Dysfunction Treatment

Abstract

Introduction The biological importance of nanotechnology based delivery vehicles for in vivo tissue regeneration is gaining acceptance by the medical community, however its relevance and incorporation into the treatment of sexual dysfunction is evolving and has not been well evaluated. Aim This article aims to provide scientific evidence examining the use of state of the art nanotechnology based delivery methodology in the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED) in animal models and in patients. Methods In this review, we assessed current basic science literature examining the role of nanotechnology based delivery vehicles in the development of potential erectile dysfunction therapies. Results There are four primary areas where nanotechnology has been applied for ED treatment; 1) Topical delivery of drugs for on demand erectile function, 2) Injectable gels into the penis to prevent morphology changes post prostatectomy, 3) Hydrogels to promote CN regeneration/neuroprotection, and 4) Encapsulation of drugs to increase erectile function (primarily of PDE5 inhibitors). Conclusions Basic science studies provide evidence for a significant and evolving role of nanotechnology in the development of therapies for erectile dysfunction and suggest that properly administered nano based therapies may be potentially advantageous for treating male sexual dysfunction.

[Retracted] Preliminary Study on the Application of Nanochitosan Film and Petrolatum Gauze in the Modified Devine Operation

“…Despite the continuous advancement of medical technology, the treatment of concealed penis is still surgery. In recent years, clinical technical treatment of nanomaterials has brought great help to the treatment of urinary system diseases, for example, the application of nanomaterials in penile erectile dysfunction [ 6 , 7 ]and the treatment of urethral reconstruction by nanomaterials [ 8 , 9 ]. However, there is no report about its application in the treatment of concealed penis.…”

Recent Advances in Nanotechnology-Based Drug Delivery Systems for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Reproductive Disorders

“…The animals were then monitored for about 4 weeks after the induction of cavernous nerve damage. The use of MRI in conjunction with this method has shown encouraging prospects in the management of erectile dysfunction since it facilitates the assessment of therapy efficacy inside live organisms . In an animal model, the application of a formulation called NanoShuttle, consisting of a combination of adipose tissue-derived embryonic stem cells and nanoparticles of magnetic material, demonstrated favorable in vivo cell tracking within the corpus cavernosum when subjected to a magnetic field for a period of up to 3 days.…”

Advanced hydrogels: New expectation for the repair of organic erectile dysfunction

“…suggested that direct delivery of NO to the penis might circumvent the problem of insensitivity to PDE5I in RP ED patients [ 98 ]. Therefore, they investigated whether topical application of NO-loaded hydrogel-glass composite nanoparticles (NPs) could improve erections in the SD rats model of RP By combining hydrogels with NPs that have been widely used as drug delivery systems with unique properties [ 99 , 100 ], it was eventually found that topical application of NO-NPs may induce spontaneous erection and increase basal ICP by improving microcirculatory blood flow [ 98 , 101 ]. Ali et al.…”

“…This hydrogel can improve the drug's efficiency of skin delivery and patient convenience [ 103 ]. A pharmacodynamic study in a cat showed that alcoholic hydrogels containing limonene or cineole increased intracavernosal pressure and that this prostaglandin E1 ethyl ester (PGE1-EE) transdermal alcoholic hydrogel formulation with limonene or cineole could be a promising transdermal drug delivery system for the penis [ 101 , 104 ].…”