Effect of 50% ethanolic extract of Syzygium aromaticum (L.) Merr. & Perry. (clove) on sexual behaviour of normal male rats.
BACKGROUND
The flower bud of Syzygium aromaticum (L.) Merr. & Perry. (clove) has been used in Unani medicine since ancient times for the treatment of male sexual disorders. The present study is aimed to investigate the effect of 50% ethanolic extract of clove on general mating behaviour, libido, potency along with its likely gastric ulceration and adverse effects on sexually normal male albino rats.


METHODS
The suspension of the extract was administered orally at the dose of 100, 250, and 500 mg / kg, to different groups of male rats (n = 6) once a day for seven days. The female albino rats involved in mating were made receptive by hormonal treatment. The general mating behaviour, libido and potency were determined and compared with the standard reference drug sildenafil citrate. The probable gastric ulceration and adverse effects of the extract were also evaluated.


RESULTS
Oral administration of the extract significantly increased the Mounting Frequency, Intromission Frequency; Intromission Latency, Erections; Quick Flips, Long Flips as well as aggregate of penile reflexes and caused significant reduction in the Mounting Latency and Post Ejaculatory Interval. The most appreciable effect of the extract was observed at the dose of 500 mg/kg. The test drug was also found to be devoid of any conspicuous gastric ulceration and adverse effects.


CONCLUSIONS
The results indicated that the 50% ethanolic extract of clove produced a significant and sustained increase in the sexual activity of normal male rats, without any conspicuous gastric ulceration and adverse effects. Thus, the resultant aphrodisiac effectivity of the extract lends support to the claims for its traditional usage in sexual disorders.
Tajuddin
Department of Ilmul Advia (Unani Pharmacology), Faculty of Unani Medicine, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh-202002, India. tajuddin_amu@rediffmail.com
Ahmad
Shamshad
S
Latif
Abdul
A
Qasmi
Iqbal Ahmad
IA
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D001046:Aphrodisiacs / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004542:Ejaculation / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D035264:Flowers; D007989:Libido / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D010410:Penile Erection / Q000187:drug effects; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000633:toxicity; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*; D013276:Stomach Ulcer / Q000139:chemically induced; D027842:Syzygium / Q000009:adverse effects
D001046:Aphrodisiacs; D010936:Plant Extracts