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Efficacy of a novel water-soluble curcumin derivative versus sildenafil citrate in mediating erectile function

International Journal of Impotence Research volume 27, pages 9–15 (2015)Cite this article

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Abstract

The present study was conducted to assess the efficacy of a novel curcumin derivative (NCD) versus sildenafil citrate in erectile signaling. The study was conducted on 10 control male rats and 50 diabetic male rats divided into the following groups: diabetic, curcumin, NCD, sildenafil and NCD combined with sildenafil. Cavernous tissue (CC) gene expression levels of heme oxygenase (HO)-1, Nrf2, NF-κβ and p38, enzyme activities of HO and nitric oxide synthase (NOS), cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) and intracavernosal pressure (ICP) were assessed. Results showed that 12 weeks after induction of diabetes, erectile dysfunction was confirmed by the significant decrease in ICP, a significant decrease in cGMP, NOS, HO enzyme activities, a significant decrease in HO-1 gene and a significant elevation of NF-κβ, p38 genes. Administration of all therapeutic interventions led to a significant elevation in ICP, cGMP levels, a significant increase in HO-1 and NOS enzymes, a significant increase in HO-1 and Nrf2 gene expression, and a significant decrease in NF-κβ, p38 gene expression. NCD or its combination with sildenafil showed significant efficacy and more prolonged duration of action. In conclusion, NCD could enhance erectile function with more efficacy and more prolonged duration of action.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt,

    A M S Zaahkouk & M H Yehia

  2. Department of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt

    M T Abdel Aziz, A M Rezq, H M Atta, H H Fouad, H H Ahmed & D Sabry

  3. Department of Clinical Biochemistry, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

    H M Atta

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  1. A M S Zaahkouk
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  2. M T Abdel Aziz
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  3. A M Rezq
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  4. H M Atta
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Correspondence to H H Fouad.

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Supplementary Information accompanies the paper on International Journal of Impotence Research website

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Zaahkouk, A., Abdel Aziz, M., Rezq, A. et al. Efficacy of a novel water-soluble curcumin derivative versus sildenafil citrate in mediating erectile function. Int J Impot Res 27, 9–15 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1038/ijir.2014.24

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