Aphrodisiac activity of 50% ethanolic extracts of Myristica fragrans Houtt. (nutmeg) and Syzygium aromaticum (L) Merr. & Perry. (clove) in male mice: a comparative study.
BACKGROUND
Spices are considered as sexual invigorators in the Unani System of Medicine. In order to explore the sexual function improving effect of Myristica fragrans Houtt. (nutmeg) and Syzygium aromaticum (L) Merr. & Perry. (clove) an experimental study was conducted in normal male mice.


METHODS
The extracts (50% ethanolic) of nutmeg and clove were administered (500 mg/kg; p.o.) to different groups of male Swiss mice. Mounting behaviour, mating performance, and general short term toxicity of the test drugs were determined and compared with the standard drug Penegra (Sildenafil citrate).


RESULTS
The extracts of the nutmeg and clove were found to stimulate the mounting behaviour of male mice, and also to significantly increase their mating performance. The drugs were devoid of any conspicuous general short term toxicity.


CONCLUSIONS
The extracts (50% ethanolic) of nutmeg and clove enhanced the sexual behaviour of male mice.
Department of Ilmul Advia (Unani Pharmacology), Faculty of Unani Medicine, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh-202002, India. tajuddin@rediffmail.com
Tajuddin
Shamshad
S
Ahmad
Abdul
A
Latif
Iqbal Ahmad
IA
Qasmi
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D001046:Aphrodisiacs / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D026323:Myristica; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity; D012639:Seeds; D012737:Sex Factors; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*; D027842:Syzygium; D023382:Toxicity Tests, Acute
D001046:Aphrodisiacs; D010936:Plant Extracts