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Effect of leech-centipede medicine on improving erectile function in DIED rats via PKC signalling pathway-related molecules

Wang JS, Li X, Chen ZL, Feng JL, Bao BH, Deng S, Dai HH, Meng FC et al.

Journal of ethnopharmacology, 2021

Abstract

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Leeches (pinyin name Shui Zhi; Latin scientific name Hirudo; Hirudinea; Hirudinidae) and centipedes (pinyin name Wu Gong; Latin scientific name Scolopendridae; Chilopoda; Scolopendridae) are traditional Chinese medicines, and they belong to the family entomology. A combination of leech and centipede is used as an effective medicine to promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis in traditional Chinese medicine, and "leech-centipede" medicine has been used in many prescriptions to treat diabetic vascular disease, including diabetic erectile dysfunction (DIED). However, its specific mechanism remains unclear and requires in-depth study.

AIM OF THE STUDY: This study aimed to investigate the mechanism of "leech-centipede" medicine to improve erectile dysfunction-associated diabetes by detecting PKC pathway-related molecules.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The active ingredients of "leech-centipede" medicine were identified using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Fifty male SPF rats were injected with streptozotocin to induce the DM model. Eight weeks later, the DMED model was validated with apomorphine. The DIED rats were divided into five groups-T,P,DD,DZ, and DG-and were separately treated with tadalafil, pathway inhibitor LY333531 and low-, medium-, and high-dose "leech-centipede" medicine for 8 weeks. After treatment, the blood glucose level was measured, erectile function with apomorphine was assessed, the LOX-1, sE-selectin,…

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