Carpolobia lutea roots restore sexual arousal and performance in paroxetine-induced sexually impaired male rats

Abstract

ObjectiveThis study aimed at investigating the aphrodisiac effects of aqueous extract of Carpolobia lutea root at the doses of 47, 94 and 141mg/kg body weight in paroxetine-induced sexual dysfunction in male rats. Materials and methodsThirty sexually active male rats (148.20±3.22g) were assigned into six groups (A–F) of five animals each. Rats in group A received 0.5ml of distilled water once daily for 7 days while those in groups B, C, D, E and F which were induced with sexual dysfunction (oral administration of 10mg/kg of paroxetine suspension, once daily for 21 days) received 0.5ml corresponding to 7.14mg/kg body weight of PowmaxM, 47, 94 and 141mg/kg body weight of the extract and distilled water, respectively. Sexual behaviour parameters (frequencies of mount (ML), intromission (IF), ejaculation (EL), latencies of mount (ML), intromission (IL), ejaculation (EL) and post ejaculation interval (PEI)) were monitored 30min post administration by pairing (1:1) with receptive female rats (114.01±2.64g) on days 1, 4 and 7. The concentrations of serum testosterone, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) were determined after 7 days of administration using standard methods. ResultsThe study revealed that the extract contained saponins (21.02mg/L), anthraquinones (5.11mg/L), alkaloids (2.93mg/L), flavonoids (1.82mg/L), tannins (0.91mg/L) and cardiac glycosides (0.09mg/L) whereas terpenes, phlobatannins and steroids were not detected. Paroxetine significantly (p<0.05) decreased mount frequency, intromission frequency, ejaculation frequency and ejaculation latency whereas it increased mount latency, intromission latency and post-ejaculatory interval for more than the baseline of 25% in each case. In contrast, all the doses of the extract significantly (p<0.05) attenuated the parameters of sexual behaviour displayed by the sexual dysfunction animals, with the 141mg/kg body weight comparing favourably (p>0.05) with the sexual dysfunction animals treated with Powmax. In addition, the extract significantly (p<0.05) elevated the levels of serum luteinizing hormone, follicle stimulating hormone and testosterone which were hitherto reduced by paroxetine. ConclusionThe study concludes that the aqueous extract of C. lutea root especially the doses of 94 and 141mg/kg body weight restored various components of sexual arousal and performance as well as the reproductive hormones in the sexually sluggish male rats with the highest dose being the most effective. Present findings provide experimental evidence to support the folkloric claim of the plant in the management of sexual inadequacies in males.