Effect of SA1, a herbal formulation, on sexual behavior and penile erection

SA1 is a mixture of 9 Oriental herbs (Korean red ginseng, fermented soybean, Tribulus terrestris, Fructus Rubi, Fructus Lycii, Semen Cuscutae, Dioscorea Rhizome, Fructus Corni and Fructus Crataegi) that are widely used as energizers and vitalizers in the indigenous system of medicine and have been alleged to improve the sexual functions in men. This study evaluated SA1 using both in vitro and in vivo experiments on laboratory animals in order to determine its effect on the sexual behavior and penile erection. The male rats used to examine the copulatory behavior were administered either the vehicle or SA1 (30, 100, 300, 600 mg/kg) orally for 2 weeks. The intracavernous pressure and systemic blood pressure were recorded in anesthetized rats. The responses to acetylcholine and SA1 of rabbit corpus cavernosum strips were also examined. There was an overall increase in the copulatory behavior parameters in the SA1-treated rats, which was reflected by a decrease in the mount and intromission latencies and an increase in the ejaculation latency and mount frequency. SA1 significantly increased the ratio of the intracavernous pressure to mean arterial pressure. In vitro, SA1 significantly enhanced the relaxation responses to acetylcholine. These results suggest that SA1 improves the sexual activity and erectile function.