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Assessment of Aphrodisiac Effects of Methanol Extract of Carpolobia lutea Root in Male Rabbits
Author(s) -
Raji Yinusa,
Dare Ayobami,
KunleAlabi Olufadekemi,
Akindele Opeyemi
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.29.1_supplement.685.3
Subject(s) - aphrodisiac , sildenafil , estrous cycle , nitric oxide , ejaculation , medicine , endocrinology , adult male , biology , chemistry , andrology , alternative medicine , pathology
In spite of the folkloric use of the root of Carpolobia lutea as sexual stimulant in man, there is no scientific prove of its efficacy. This study was designed to evaluate the effects of methanol extract of Carpolobia lutea root (MECL) on sexual activity of male rabbits. Twenty adult male rabbits (1.5‐2.0kg) divided into four equal groups were treated daily (orally) for 28days as follows; group1‐control (2 ml/kg 1% tween‐20), group2 (40 mg/kg MECL), group3 (80 mg/kg MECL) and group4 (0.5 mg/kg sildenafil citrate). The male rabbits were then cohabited with sexually receptive female at estrus and sexual activities of the male were recorded on days 0, 1, 3 and 5 using a digital camera mounted on the mating arena. Indices of sexual activities were determined. The male rabbits were sacrificed on day 29 and serum testosterone concentration was measured by ELISA technique. Homogenates of the corpora cavernosa were also obtained for determination of nitric oxide concentration. The Carpolobia lutea extract significantly increased mount frequency, intromission frequency and ejaculatory latency, while it reduced mount latency, intromission latency and post ejaculatory latency (similar to sildenafil citrate) when compared with the control. The extract also caused a significant increase in nitric oxide concentration in corpora cavernosa but no change in serum testosterone concentration. The results suggest that the methanol extract of Carpolobia lutea root improves male sexual activity via an increase in nitric oxide concentration which may be useful in certain forms of sexual inadequacies such as premature ejaculation and impaired libido. The study thus provides scientific rationale for the traditional use of Carpolobia lutea in the management of penile erectile dysfunction.