Ann Complement Altern Med | Volume 2, Issue 1 | Research Article | Open Access

Evaluation of Aphrodisiac Activities of Four Nigerian Ethnomedicinal Plants

Paul Alozie Nwafor1 , Ekema Ufot Genesis2 , Sola Tunde Dare2 , Oluwole Isaac Adeyemi3 , Samuel Akintunde Odediran4 and Adeleke Clement Adebajo2,4 *

1Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Uyo, Uyo, Nigeria 2 Department of Pharmacognosy and Natural Medicine, University of Uyo, Uyo, Nigeria 3 Department of Pharmacology, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria 4Department of Pharmacognosy, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. Nigeria

*Correspondance to: Adeleke Clement Adebajo 

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Abstract

Objective: Some age-long plants are currently used as aphrodisiacs. Allium cepa, Allium sativum, Garcinia cola and Cola acuminata, used ethnomedicinally in Nigeria for enhancement of libido and erectile dysfunction, were evaluated. Methods: Aqueous-ethanolextracts (50, 100, 150 mg/kg) were subcutaneously administered to six groups of male rats. Normal saline (5 mL/kg, ip) and testosterone (1 mg/kg, sc) were negative and positive controls, respectively. Another group received testosterone (1 mg/kg, sc) and 10 min later, the extract (100 mg/kg, sc). Eight hours thereafter, the male rats were introduced to females with pre-determined oestrous cycle and Mount (MF), Erection (EF) and Intromission (IF) frequencies, Mount (ML), Intromission (IL) and Ejaculatory (EL) Latencies, Post Ejaculatory Interval (PEI) and Lordosis were recorded. Results: Testosterone induced increased sexual frequencies that were comparable (p>0.05) to those of G. cola but significantly (p<0.05) higher than those mediated by A. cepa, A. sativum and C. acuminata. Only G. cola consistently gave reduced latencies that were either significantly (p<0.05) lower or comparable to those of testosterone. Therefore, order of significant sexual activity was testosterone = G. cola > A. sativum = C. acuminata > A. cepa. Co-administration of testosterone with A. cepa and A. sativum bulbs significantly inhibited the effects of standard drug, C. acuminata showed some enhancement of effects, while G. cola had no effect. Conclusion: The plants were confirmed as ethnomedicinal aphrodisiacs, while common practice of using herbal sexual stimulants with prescribed drugs may not always increase sexual performance.

Keywords:

Allium cepa; Allium sativum; Garcinia cola; Cola acuminata

Citation:

Nwafor PA, Genesis EU, Dare ST, Adeyemi OI, Odediran SA, Adebajo AC. Evaluation of Aphrodisiac Activities of Four Nigerian Ethnomedicinal Plants. Ann Complement Altern Med. 2020; 2(1): 1009..

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