Administration of Goji (Lycium chinense Mill.) Extracts Improves Erectile Function in Old Aged Rat Model

Abstract

Purpose: This study investigated the effect of goji (Lycium chinense Mill.) on erectile dysfunction in old-aged rats. Materials and Methods: Twenty-four 18-month-old male Sprague-Dawley rats (defined as old-aged rats) were used. Treatment groups contained eight rats each: a control group, goji extract of 150 mg/kg/day group, and goji extract of 300 mg/kg/day group. Treatment was by orogastric tube once daily for 6 weeks. After 6 weeks of treatment, testes weight, serum testosterone, superoxide dismutase, nitric oxide (NO)-cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)-related parameters, intracavernous pressure/ mean arterial pressure, and histological changes were examined. Results: Treatments with goji extracts increased serum testosterone level, increased the expression of endothelial NO synthase, neuronal NO synthase, and cGMP, improved the oxidative stress marker, and decreased corporal fibrosis. Conclusions: Our results indicate that goji extract may have a positive effect on erectile dysfunction via its antioxidant effects.

Keywords

• Antioxidants
• Erectile dysfunction
• Testosterone