1. ¹Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University Sofia, Faculty of Medicine, Sofia, Bulgaria
2. ²Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Münster, Germany

Correspondence: Professor Dr P Rohdewald, Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Hittorfstr. 58–62, Münster, Germany. E-mail: rohdewa@uni-muenster.de

Received 17 April 2007; Revised 26 June 2007; Accepted 26 June 2007; Published online 16 August 2007.

Abstract

In a randomly allocated, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover design, 50 patients with mild to moderate erectile dysfunction (ED) were treated for 1 month with placebo or a combination of L-arginine aspartate and Pycnogenol (Prelox). Patients reported sexual function from diaries. Testosterone levels and endothelial NO synthase (e-NOS) were monitored along with routine clinical chemistry. Intake of Pycnogenol for 1 month restored erectile function to normal. Intercourse frequency doubled. e-NOS in spermatozoa and testosterone levels in blood increased significantly. Cholesterol levels and blood pressure were lowered. No unwanted effects were reported. Prelox is a promising alternative to treat mild to moderate ED.