• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.605-614
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• 2005

Objectives : Ojawhan was formulated to contain various natural products known to cure erectile dysfunction. This study was aimed to investigate the effects of Ojawhan on the nitric oxide synthase(NOS) activity, nitrite level, antioxidation and erectile responses in rat's corpus cavernosum penis. Methods : Ojawhan was washed, dried in the shade and crushed. The crushed Ojawhan ,was extracted 3 times, each time with 3 volumes of methyl alcohol at $60^{\circ}C$ for 24 h. The extract was filtered and evaporated under a reduced pressure using a rotary evaporator to yield 62g. Ojawhan extract oral-administered 100 mg per 1 kg of body weight for 30 days. First, samples were treated with Ojawhan, then ethanol-treated rats and L-N-Nitroarginine methyl ester(L-NAME) treated rats were put with the samples. Result : The level of urethral lipid peroxide in the ethanol-Ojawhan double administered rats was decreased as low as in the normal group, while the one in the ethanol-treated group was increased. The urethral NOS activity, the level of urethral nitrite, the level of testosterone and the erectile response to cavernous nerve stimulation in the ethanol-Ojawhan double administered rats were increased as high as in the normal group while the one in the ethanol-treated group was decreased. The electile response to cavernous nerve stimulation and the level of nitrite in L-NAME ($10^{-4}$)-treated rats was restored by the administration of Ojawhan as high as in the normal group. Conclusions : Ojawhan was effective in restoring the ethanol-induced or L-NAME-induced erectile dysfunction in rats.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.107-118
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• 2005

Objectives : Peroxynitrite $(ONOO^-)$, fonned from the reaction of $O_2^-$ and NO, is a cytotoxic species that can oxidize several cellular components such as proteins, lipids and DNA. It has been implicated in the aging process and age-related disease such as Alzheimer's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, cancer and atherosclerosis. Due to the lack of endogenous enzymes to thwart $ONOO^-$ activation, developing a specific $ONOO^-$ scavenger is remarkably important. The aim of this study was to investigate scavenging activities of $ONOO^-$ and its precursors, NO and $O_2^-$ and its scavenging mechanism of Ojawhan. Methods : To investigate scavenging activities of $ONOO^-$, NO, $O_2^-$ and its scavenging mechanism using fluorescent probes, DCFDA, DAF-2 and DHR 123. The $ONOO^-$ scavenging activity on Ojawhan was assayed by measuring oxidized dihydrorhodamine 123 (DHR 123) by fluorometry. Oxidative stress was induced by strong oxidants t-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP). Endothelial cell (YPEN-1) was used for detection of intracellular oxidative stress. Results : Ojawhan markedly scavenged authentic $ONOO^-$, $O_2^-$ and NO. It also inhibited $ONOO^-$ induced by $O_2^-$ and NO which are derived from SIN-1. Furthennore, ${\underline{Ojawhan}}$ blocked lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced $ONOO^-$, $O_2^-$ and NO generation utilizing kidney homogenates of LPS-injected mouse and inhibited t-BHP-induced ROS and $ONOO^-$ in endothelial cell culture system. Conclusions : These results suggest that Ojawhan be developed as an effective $ONOO^-$ scavenger for the prevention of $ONOO^-$ involved diseases and age-related diseases.