title: Beneficial effects of chrysin and benzoflavone on virility in 2-year-old male rats.
abstract: This work describes the potential usefulness of bioflavonoids for countering the deleterious effects of aging on male sexuality in 2-year-old rats. A flavone chrysin from Passiflora caerulea Linn. and a benzoflavone moiety (BZF) recently isolated from Passiflora incarnata Linn. were administered to 2-year-old male rats for a period of 30 days. After cessation of these treatments, there was a significant improvement in overall sexual functions in the rats given bioflavonoids, compared with control rats. The rats receiving chrysin (1 mg/kg) and BZF (10 mg/kg) exhibited increased libido when they were allowed to interact with nonestrous female rats. Additionally, both treated groups had increased sperm count, greater fertilization potential, and greater litter size when they were allowed to interact with proven proestrous female rats of a similar strain. BZF was more potent than chrysin as an antiaromatase agent and exhibited better effects on the sexual system of the 2-year-old male rats. Plant flavonoids have great potential for clinical and therapeutic applications against the physiological and biochemical effects of aging.
authors.affiliation: Pharmacognosy Division, University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Panjab University, Chandigarh-160014, India.
authors.forename: Kamaldeep
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Dhawan
authors.forename: Suresh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.forename: Anupam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sharma
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors; D001571:Benzoflavones / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005298:Fertility / Q000187:drug effects*; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007989:Libido / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D029598:Passiflora; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects; D013076:Sperm Count
chemical_list: D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors; D001571:Benzoflavones; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D005419:Flavonoids; D010936:Plant Extracts; C043561:chrysin