Abstract
Ancient literature alluded to the use of a number of plants/preparations as sex enhancer. One of such botanicals is Massularia acuminata in which the stem has been acclaimed to be used as an aphrodisiac. Documented experiments or clinical data are, however, lacking. Therefore, this study was undertaken to evaluate the acclaimed aphrodisiac activity of M. acuminata stem. Sixty male rats were completely randomized into 4 groups (A–D) of 15 each. Rats in group A (control) were administered with 1 mL of distilled water (the vehicle) while those in groups B, C, and D were given same volume containing 250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg body weight of the extract, respectively. Sexual behaviour parameters were monitored in the male rats for day 1 (after a single dose), day 3 (after three doses, once daily), and day 5 (after five doses, once daily) by pairing with a receptive female (1 : 1). The male serum testosterone concentration was also determined. Cage side observation on the animals revealed proceptive behaviour (ear wiggling, darting, hopping, and lordosis) by the receptive female rats and precopulatory behaviour (chasing, anogenital sniffing and mounting) by the extract-treated male rats. The extract at 500, and 1000 mg/kg body weight significantly (P < .05) increased the frequencies of mount and intromission. In addition, the ejaculation latency was significantly prolonged (P < .05). The latencies of mount and intromission were reduced significantly whereas ejaculation frequency increased. The extract also reduced the postejaculatory interval of the animals. Computed percentages of index of libido, mounted, intromitted, ejaculated and copulatory efficiency were higher in the extract treated animals compared to the distilled water-administered control whereas the intercopulatory interval decreased significantly. The extract also significantly (P < .05) increased the serum testosterone content of the animals except in those administered with 250 mg/kg body weight on days 1 and 3. Data from this study identified that the aqueous extract of Massularia acuminata stem enhanced sexual behaviour in male rats. The improved sexual appetitive behaviour in male rats at the doses of 500 and 1000 mg/kg body weight of Massularia acuminata stem may be attributed, at least in part, to the alkaloids, saponins, and/or flavonoids since these phytochemicals has engorgement, androgen enhancing, and antioxidant properties.
Highlights
The main essence of marriage in humans is procreation and/or sexual fulfillment of both partners that is initiated by the mating of a male with a female in sexual intercourse
The proceptive behaviour displayed by the female rats included ear-wiggling characterized by a rapid anteroposterior vibration of the ears, a short run where the female rats suddenly stops and present her posterior to the male rats and a short jump with stiff legs followed by immobility and presentation
To understand the scientific reasons behind these folk claims, we investigated the effects of aqueous extract of M. acuminata stem in this study
Summary
The main essence of marriage in humans is procreation and/or sexual fulfillment of both partners that is initiated by the mating of a male with a female in sexual intercourse. For there to be a normal sexual intercourse in males, the sexual organs and factors relating to erection of the copulatory organ must function normally. The repeated inability of the male to perform this function, at least effectively, or a disorder that interfere with his full sexual response cycle is termed male sexual dysfunction (MSD) [1]. Sexual dysfunction in men takes different forms, such as disorders of desire (persistently or recurrently deficient sexual fantasy and desire for sexual activity), disorders of orgasm (persistent or recurrent delay in, or absence of, orgasm after a normal sexual excitement phase), erectile dysfunction (persistent failure to generate sufficient penile body pressure to achieve vaginal penetration and/or the inability to maintain this degree of penile rigidity until ejaculation), disorders of ejaculation
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