Korean J Urol.  2007 Jul;48(7):741-747. 10.4111/kju.2007.48.7.741.

Efficacy and Safety of a Herbal Formula that Mainly Consists of Cornus Officinalis for Erectile Dysfunction: A Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Study

• Kam SC
• Choi SM
• Jeh SU
• Lee SH
• Hwa JS
• Jung KH
• Kang CW
• Hyun JS

• KMID: 1990228
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4111/kju.2007.48.7.741

Abstract

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a herbal formula that mainly consists of Cornus officinalis for treating erectile dysfunction.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Eighty patients suffering with erectile dysfunction were enrolled in this randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study. The average duration of erectile dysfunction of the herbal formula group(n=40) vs. the placebo group(n=40) were 19.33+/-18.13 months vs. 19.33+/-25.62 months, respectively. The safety variables we examined were the history, physical examination, vital signs, EKG, clinical laboratory tests and hormonal tests. Efficacy assessments included the International Index of Erectile Function(IIEF), the sexual encounter profile(SEP) diary and Global Assessment Questions(GAQ).
RESULTS
No significant changes in the laboratory values, hormone tests and blood pressure were observed in both groups. In comparison with the placebo group(6.57+/-11.72), the herbal formula group experienced a significant improvement of the IIEF(11.13+/-11.83)(p<0.05). When the herbal formula and placebo groups were divided by age and the IIEF score (age: 50 years and IIEF: 42) and then compared, the low IIEF group(IIEFor=50) of the herbal formula group significantly improved their IIEF score(p<0.05). The herbal formula group significantly improved their GAQ score(p<0.05). The herbal formula was well tolerated. The common adverse events were headache(2.5%) and nausea(5%).
CONCLUSIONS
In conclusion, the herbal formula that mainly consists Cornus officinalis was not only effective at improving erectile function, but it was also safe for the treatment of erectile dysfunction.

Keyword

Herbal formula; Erectile dysfunction; Treatment efficacy; Safety

MeSH Terms

Blood Pressure
Cornus*
Electrocardiography
Erectile Dysfunction*
Humans
Male
Physical Examination
Treatment Outcome
Vital Signs

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Effects on penetration success rate (SEP Q2) and intercourse success rate (SEP Q3). At the endpoint, the patients receiving herbal formula improved the penetration success rate and the intercourse success rate, but there were no significantly changes in both groups (the herbal formula groups vs. the placebo groups).

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  Fig. 2 Global assessment question (GAQ): satisfaction with the erection quality. At the endpoint, the patients receiving the herbal formula reported a greater percentage of successful intercourse attempts and a greater proportion of improved erections (GAQ: 95% compared to placebo: 73.5%) (p<0.05).

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