Planta Med 2007; 73 - P_570
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-987350

Proerectile effect of 15R-16,17-seco-subincanadine E, an indole alkaloid isolated from Aspidosperma ulei stem bark

AR Campos 1, OB Deocleciano Júnior 2, DEA Uchoa 3, ER Silveira 3, VSN Rao 2
  • 1Regional University of Cariri, Chemical Biology Departament, Rua Cel. Antonio Luiz, 1161, 63.105–000, Crato, CE, Brazil
  • 2Federal University of Ceará, Physiology and Pharmacology Department, Rua Cel Nunes de Melo, 1127, 60.430–279, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
  • 3Federal University of Ceará, Organic and Inorganic Chemistry Department, Av. Mister Hull s/n, 60.455–760, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil

The search of an effective, safe and easy to administer drug for use in erectile dysfunction, impotence and fertility has been a perennial pursuit of most societies from times immemorial to throughout the history [1]. Plants that belong to the genus Aspidosperma (Apocynaceae) are known to be very rich in indole alkaloids and have an ethnomedical history of use as traditional remedies for erectile dysfunction [2]. In the search for novel drugs effective against erectile dysfunction, this study examined whether the indole alkaloid 15R-16,17-seco-subincanadine E (SEC) isolated from Aspidosperma ulei Markgr. stem bark could manifest penile erection-related behavioural responses (penile erection, erection-like and genital grooming) in mice. In the method described by Rampin [3], intraperitoneal injection of SEC (12.5; 25 and 50mg/kg) elicited all the three different behavioural responses in a manner similar to yohimbine (YOH 2mg/kg), a known indole alkaloid. Seventy-five percent of mice treated with SEC (p<0.001 vs control) showed penile erections, which were completely blocked by clonidine (p<0.001 vs SEC), an alpha-2-adrenoceptor agonist and haloperidol (p<0.001 vs SEC), a dopaminergic antagonist and as well as by L-NAME (p<0.05 vs control), a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor. In conclusion, the data obtained in this study clearly demonstrate that SEC facilitates penile erection in mice possible through the activation of central dopamine and blockade of presynaptic alpha-2 adrenoceptors with a subsequent enhancement of nitric oxide release from the penile nerves and arteries. This study further supports the traditional use of extracts from Aspidosperma species in erectile dysfunction.

Acknowledgements: CNPq, CAPES and FUNCAP, Brazil.

References: [1] Shoeb Qureshi, S.S. et al. 2007. Phcog Mag. 3(9): 1–15. [2] Campos, A.R. et al. 2006. J Ethnopharmacol. 104: 240–244. [3] Rampin, O. et al. 2003. Life Sci. 72: 2329–2336.