Hunteria umbellata seed extract administration modulates activities of phosphodiesterase-5 and purinergic enzymes relevant to erection in normal male rats

Abstract

Hunteria umbellata is used in Nigerian traditional medicine for the treatment of erectile dysfunction and other male sexual related diseases but the basis remain unclear. This study investigated the effects of H. umbellata on phosphodiesterase-5, ectonucleotidases, adenosine deaminase and acetylcholinesterase activities in experimental animals. Twenty-four male rats were divided into four groups of six animals each; control group, Viagra administered group, 50 and 100 mg/kg body weight H. umbellata treated group. After 28 days of treatment, the animals were sacrificed and the effect of H. umbellata on the activities of enzymes mentioned above was evaluated. The results revealed a significant increase in PDE-5, ATPDase, adenosine deaminase and AChE activities in control group. However, treatment with H. umbellata caused a significant decrease in PDE-5, ATPDase, adenosine deaminase and AChE activities with concomitant increase in 5′-nucleotidase activity. Findings presented in this study revealed that H. umbellata could prevent the impairment of enzymes that regulate purinergic and NO/cGMP signaling and thereby be of biological importance in the management of erectile dysfunction.