Aphrodisiac properties of Polygonatum verticillatum leaf extract

Objective: Polygonatum verticillatum is the main ingredient of Astavarga. Astavarga is the\udimportant ingredient of various classical Ayurvedic formulations like Chavyanprash. Astavarga\udhas been assigned various medicinal properties by ancient Materia Medica dealing with\udAyurveda. As per Ayurveda the main property of this plant is in the treatment of vata, pitta,\udgeneral weakness, aphrodisiac etc.Aim of the study: In the present study, we examined the\udeffect of Polygonatum verticillatum leaf aqueous extract upon the expression of male rat sexual\udbehavior, in order to know whether Polygonatum verticillatum leaf aqueous extract possess\udaphrodisiac property. Methods: The aphrodisiac activity of Polygonatum verticillatum leaf\udaqueous extract was investigated in male rats. The extract (500 mg/kg body weight/day) and L-dopa\ud(100 mg/kg body weight/day) were administered orally by gavages for 28 days. Mount latency\ud(ML), intromission latency (IL), ejaculation latency (EL), mounting frequency (MF), intromission\udfrequency (IF), ejaculation frequency (EF) and postejaculatory interval (PEI) were the parameters\udobserved before and during the sexual behavior study at day 0, 7, 14, 21 and 28. Results: The\udPolygonatum verticillatum leaf aqueous extract reduced significantly ML, IL, EL and PEI (P <\ud0.05, P < 0.01, P < 0.001). The extract also increased significantly MF, IF and EF (P < 0.05, P< 0.01,\udP < 0.001). These effects were observed in sexually active and inactive male rats. Conclusions:\udPresent findings provide experimental evidence that the Polygonatum verticillatum leaf aqueous\udextract possesses aphrodisiac property