Aqueous extract of Pycnanthus angolensis (Welw.) Warb. (Myristicaceae) alleviates paroxetine-induced erectile dysfunction in male rats

Abstract

Background: Erectile dysfunction is the inability to achieve and maintain an adequate erection for sexual performance. Pycnanthus angolensis (Welw.) Warb. is a medicinal plant used by the traditional healers of the Southern region of Cameroon to manage male infertility and especially erectile dysfunction. Aim and objectives: This study aimed at investigating the effects of aqueous extract of Pycnanthus angolensis wood were investigated on paroxetine-induced erectile dysfunction in male rats. Material and methods: Thirty Wistar albino male rats (160-180 g) were randomly distributed into six groups of five animals each. Erectile dysfunction was induced in 5 groups for 21 days by oral administration of paroxetine (10 mg/kg), once a day. After induction, rats were orally treated during 14 days with three doses of plant extract (43, 86 and 172 mg/kg) except 2 groups which were given distilled water and sildenafil (5 mg/kg), respectively. Sexual behaviors were monitored on days 1, 4, 7, and 14 by pairing male rats to receptive females. After 14 days- treatment, the rats were killed by decapitation under ether anesthesia. The reproductive organs were collected for histological and biochemical analysis. Results: Paroxetine induced erectile dysfunction characterized by a significant decrease (p<0.05) in sexual arousal and performance of male rats. Nevertheless, this erectile dysfunction was improved by administration of the aqueous extract of Pycnanthus angolensis at the different doses. The administration of paroxetine significantly (p<0.05) reduced the nitric oxide level by 66.67% when compared to the distilled water-group. After 14 days-treatment, the extract induced significant increases (p<0.05) in the sexual performance parameters (mounts, intromissions and ejaculations frequency) as well as in the sexual arousal of the male rats. Results were markedly pronounced with the plant extract at the doses of 86 and 172 mg/kg. The nitric oxide levels in the erectile dysfunction-induced rats with paroxetine were restored after treatment with the plant extract. The degenerated seminiferous tubules and the low density of spermatozoa observed in the histological sections of the erectile dysfunction-induced rats with paroxetine, were restored after treatments with sildenafil and the aqueous extract at either doses (43, 86 and 172 mg/kg). Conclusions: Aqueous extract of Pycnanthus angolensis (Welw.) Warb alleviated the paroxetine-related erectile dysfunction by enhancing sexual behavior and the production of nitric oxide. In view of the abovementioned results, Pycnanthus angolensis (Welw.) Warb could be considered as an alternative treatment in the erection dysfunction management.