Pharmacological Evaluation of Some Indian Medicinal Plants and Their Combination for Aphrodisiac Activity

Abstract

Aim: Pharmacological evaluation of some Indian medicinal plants and their combination for aphrodisiac activity. newlineMethod: Plant materials were obtained from Nilanga and Dapoli and authenticated at BSI Pune and Maharashtra Mahavidyalaya, Nilanga. By using water and ethanol solvent extraction of Lagenaria siceraria fruit, Cyperus esculentus rhizome, Michelia champaca bark, Flueggea leucopyrus leaves, Psoralea corylifolium seed and Argemone Mexicana seed carried out. All plant extracts were tested for qualitative phytochemical analysis of terpenoids, alkaloids, unsaturated sterols, glycosides, saponins, phenolics, flavonoids and tannins. The water, ethanolic extracts and combination of ethanolic extracts were studied for an aphrodisiac activity on albino rats in vivo. Extracts were orally administered at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight and combination of ethanolic extracts in single dose of 400 mg/kg body weight for 45 days. All extracts and combination of ethanolic extracts checked for the acute toxicity. The effect on general mating behavior, potency test, morphological studies, sexual organ weight, sperm motility, biochemical parameters and histological changes in sexual organs were tested. The results were compared with standard reference sildenafil citrate. HPTLC and GCMS fingerprinting were performed for identification of phytoconstituents present in ethanolic extract of Flueggea leucopyrus leaves. newlineResults: Phytochemical investigation of water and ethanolic extracts of all plants showed presence of terpenoids, alkaloids, unsaturated sterols, glycosides, saponins, phenolics, flavonoids and tannins .The oral administration of water, ethanolic extracts and formulation on 15th, 30th and 45th day of treatment in all treated groups significantly increased intromission frequency, mounting frequency, ejaculatory latency and significantly decreased parameters were mounting latency, intromission latency, inter intromission interval and post ejaculatory interval. Test for potency showed significant increase. In all