The effect of Epimedium brevicornum Maxim (Yin Yang Huo) extract on elicitation of penile erection, and its power spectral analysis in rats

The aim of this study is to investigate erectile response to injection administration of Epimedium brevicornum Maxim (EbM) and its power spectral analysis in rats. Adult male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were used in this study. Under pentobarbital sodium anesthesia, the penile Intracavernous pressure (ICP) was monitored. Intracavernous administration of doses 3000μg/0.1mL of EbM extract was done. Continuous power spectral analysis of electrocardiogram (ECG), blood pressure (BP) signals .Frequency-domain analysis of the stationary RR interval, systolic pressure variation was performed to quantify the high-frequency power (HF), low-frequency power (LF)-to-HF ratio (LF/HF), and normalized LF (LF%) of Heart Rate Variability (HRV), Blood Pressure Variability (BPV). The results of this study suggest that intracavernous administration of EbM extract may elicit penile erection in terms of a significant increase in ICP in the rat. These results suggest that EbM extract may facilitate decrease sympathovagal balance or to reflect sympathetic modulations activities of the heart and activities penile erection function. But have no significant differences in BPV parameters.