Aphrodisiac potential and phytochemical profile of <i>Ekebergia capensis</i> (Cape ash) in male albino rats

Abstract

AIM: Erectile dysfunction affects more than a third of the adult male and female population worldwide. Although a large number of patients with erectile dysfunction use modern pharmaceutical agents for treatment, a vast majority still preferably use herbal preparations like Ekebergia capensis stem extract. This study therefore, was designed to evaluate the aphrodisiac potential of 70% ethanolic extract of Ekebergia capensis in male albino rats, as a candidate for treatment of erectile dysfunction in human beings. METHODS: In June 2012, ethanolic stem extract of the plant Ekerbegia capensis was screened for phytochemical constituents. Fifteen male albino rats were orally dosed with the extract at dose rates of 300 mg/kg (5 rats), 400 mg/kg (5 rats) and 500 mg/kg (5 rats) body weight consecutively. Five male albino rats were administered with sildenafil citrate (5mg/kg) orally as positive controls and 5 male albino rats received distilled water (1ml) orally as negative controls. The mounting and intromission frequency were evaluated at days1, 3 and 5 and serum testosterone concentration determined on day 6. RESULTS: Phytochemical screening revealed strong presence of saponins and steroid glycosides. Alkaloids, tannins, carotenoids, anthraquinones, flavanoids and anthracyanosides were weakly presented in the extract. All the extract doses caused significant (p