Biol. Pharm. Bull. 29(7) 1383—1386 (2006)

increasing incidence as a result of the longer lifespan, the increasing prevalence of degenerative diseases as well as the increase in injuries and stress associated with industrialized lifestyles. Both medical and surgical treatment modalities are available for treating sexual dysfunction. However, despite the increasing availability of effective conventional medical treatments, plant-derived and herbal remedies continue to be a popular alternative for men and women seeking to improve their sex life. Nevertheless, the efficacy of most of these herbal agents in treating sexual dysfunction remains unclear. SA1, which was introduced by Chungbuk Oriental Medicine Center, is a mixture consisting of 9 Oriental herbs that is used to treat sexual health and problems (Table 1). Panax ginseng C. A. MEYER has been used as a tonic and restorative to maintain the physical vitality, and shows a dose-related relaxing effect on the isolated rabbit corporal smooth muscle strip. Tribulus terrestris exhibits aphrodisiac activity due to its androgen increasing property. Rubus coreanus MIQUEL increases the level of testosterone in the blood and Lycium chinense MILLER improves the quality of the sperm. Cuscuta chinensis LAMARK invigorates the reproductive system and reproductive endocrine function in male rats and Cornus officinalis SIEB et ZUCC increases the levels of RNA in the interstitial cells of the testicle. Crataegus pinnatifida BGE. var. major N. E. BR. inhibits the expression of a vasoconstrictive mediator, and fermented soybean enhances the level of thrombolysis near the vessel wall. The antioxidant and anti-aging properties of the Dioscorea batatas DECNE have been suggested. Therefore, SA1 might combine the therapeutic effects from each herb on sexual dysfunction. Accordingly, this study evaluated the sexual and erectile activities of SA1 in vivo and in vitro.