Abstract
The age long acclaimed aphrodisiac potentials of Garcinia kola seeds in some parts of Western Nigeria has not been substantiated with scientific evidence. In this study, we have decided to evaluate the effect of aqueous seed extract of G. kola at the doses of 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg body weight on sexual behaviour of male rats. Male rats weighing 215.00 ± 18.58 g were randomized completely into four groups (A-D) of six animals each. Animals in group A received, orally, 0.5 ml of distilled water only while those in groups B, C and D received same volume containing 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg body weight of the seed extract respectively. Frequencies of mount (MF), intromission (IF), genital toilet (GTF) and ejaculation (EF) as well as latencies of mount (ML), intromission (IL) and ejaculation (EL) were evaluated following the pairing of male rats (1:1) with non-oestrous female rats. The parameters were monitored for the first (15-30 min), second (75-90 min) and third (180195 min) observatory periods. The levels of testosterone, luteinizing (LH) and follicle stimulating hormones (FSH) were also determined. Phytochemical screening of the extract revealed the presence of saponins (2.78%), cardiac glycosides (0.26%), cardenolides and dienolides (0.24%), flavonoids (1.28%) and steroids (1.14%). The 25 and 100 mg/kg body weight increased (P<0.05) the MF whereas the ML was decreased by all the doses of the extract. MF and ML were not altered during the second observatory period whereas the 50 mg/kg body weight increased these parameters during the third observatory period. Other sexual behaviour parameters as well as serum testosterone, FSH and LH were not significantly altered throughout the observatory periods. Overall, the results revealed that G. kola seeds did not have sex enhancing potential as claimed. Therefore, the acclaimed pro sexual effect of Garcinia kola seeds is scientifically untrue. This study has refuted the claim that one of the rationales for consuming the seeds by the aged population of Nigeria is to enhance sexual invigoration in males.
Highlights
Traditional herbs have been reported to have contributed to revolutionary breakthrough in the management of sexual inadequacies and have become known worldwide as an “instant” treatment (Adimoelja, 2000)
Among all the physical indices of sexual behaviour monitored in male rats, the extract only produced significant effects on the mount frequency (MF) and mount latency (ML)
This incidence of null effect on the MF and ML by the extract was extended to the third observatory period in all the treatment groups except those administered with the 50 mg/kg body weight of the extract where the MF and ML increased significantly (Tables 2 and 3)
Summary
Traditional herbs have been reported to have contributed to revolutionary breakthrough in the management of sexual inadequacies and have become known worldwide as an “instant” treatment (Adimoelja, 2000). Garcinia kola Heckel (family-Guttifera) known as bitter kola, false kola and male kola (English), orogbo (Yoruba-Western Nigeria), cida goro (Hausa-Northern Nigeria), Aku ilu or Ugugolu (Igbo-Eastern Nigeria), Efiari (Efik), and Igoligo (Idoma-Middle Belt) is an evergreen, dicotyledonous plant found in moist forest, riverine and swampy areas. It grows to a medium sized tree of about 12-15 m high and a girth of 1.80 m.
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