Effects of ginsenoside on large-conductance K(Ca) channels in human corporal smooth muscle cells

Ginseng was known to be an effective natural product that enhances penile erection. However, the precise biological function and mechanisms of action of ginseng with regard to erectile function remain unknown. The principal objective of this study was to identify ginsenoside (principal molecular ingredients of ginseng)-induced activation of large-conductance K(Ca) channel in human corporal smooth muscle cells, and to determine ginseng's mechanism of action on penile erection. Electrophysiological studies using cultured human corporal smooth muscle cells were conducted. We evaluated the effects of total ginsenosides (TGS) and ginsenoside Rg3 on large-conductance K(Ca) channel by determining whole-cell currents and single-channel activities. There was an increase in outward current dependent on TGS concentration (at +60 mV, 1 μg ml(-1); 168.3±59.3%, n=6, P<0.05, 10 μg ml(-1); 173.2±36.8%, n=4, P<0.05, 50 μg ml(-1); 295.3±62.3%, n=19, P<0.001, 100 μg ml(-1); and 462.3±97.1%, n=5, P<0.001) and Rg3 concentration (at +60 mV, 1 μM (0.78 μg ml(-1)); 222.8±64.8%, n=11, P<0.0001, 10 μM; 672.6±137.1%, n=10, P<0.0001, 50 μM; and 1713.3±234.7%, n=15, P<0.001) in the solution that was blocked completely by tetraethylammonium (TEA). Channel opening in cell-attached mode and channel activity in the inside-out membrane patches was also increased significantly by 50 μg of TGS or 10 μM of Rg3. The results of this study suggested that the activation of large-conductance K(Ca) channels by ginsenoside could be one mechanism of ginsenoside-induced relaxation in corporal smooth muscle.