A comparative study of ethanolic extracts of Pedalium murex Linn. fruits and sildenafil citrate on sexual behaviors and serum testosterone level in male rats during and after treatment.
BACKGROUND
Pedalium murex Linn. has been used as Vajikaran Rasayana (aphrodisiac) in traditional Indian medicine to treat male sexual dysfunction and impotency.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to investigate effects of P. murex fruits extract on sexual behaviors and testosterone level of male rats during and past withdrawal of treatment.


METHODS
The extract (50, 100,150mg/kg body weight/day) and sildenafil citrate (5mg/kg body weight/day) were administered orally by gavages for 28 days to male Wistar albino rats. Penile erection index (PEI), mount latency (ML), intromission latency (IL), ejaculation latency (EL), mounting frequency (MF), intromission frequency (IF), post ejaculatory interval (PEjI) and serum testosterone levels were studied at day 0, 15, 28 during treatment. They were further evaluated after day 7 and 15 past discontinuation of the treatment. In-vitro nitric oxide release activity was also investigated in human corpus cavernosal cell line.


RESULTS
The ethanolic extract significantly reduced the ML, IL, EL and PEjI (p<0.05). There was a significant increase in the PEI, MF and IF and serum testosterone level (p<0.05) throughout the period of study. Ethanolic extract produced a significant effect on sexual behavior and serum testosterone level past withdrawal of the treatment. In-vitro nitric oxide release was significantly higher in extract and sildenafil citrate compared to the control group.


CONCLUSIONS
Present findings provide experimental in-vivo and in-vitro evidence that the ethanolic extract of P. murex fruits possesses aphrodisiac property. Study lends growing support for the traditional use of P. murex as a sexual stimulating agent and offers a significant potential for studying the effect on male sexual response and its dysfunctions. The findings justify the concept of Rasayana as rejuvenative tonics and support their role in prevention or delay of the aging process.
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Dr. H.S. Gour University, Sagar, Madhya Pradesh 470003, India. vikassharma15@gmail.com
Vikas
V
Sharma
Mayank
M
Thakur
V K
VK
Dixit
D000818:Animals; D001046:Aphrodisiacs / Q000494:pharmacology; D003307:Copulation / Q000187:drug effects; D004542:Ejaculation / Q000187:drug effects; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D005638:Fruit; D008297:Male; D008515:Medicine, Ayurvedic; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism; D029601:Pedaliaceae; D010410:Penile Erection / Q000187:drug effects; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010879:Piperazines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011687:Purines / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy; D020018:Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy; D000068677:Sildenafil Citrate; D013450:Sulfones / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood*; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000494:pharmacology
D001046:Aphrodisiacs; D010879:Piperazines; D010936:Plant Extracts; D011687:Purines; D013450:Sulfones; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D013739:Testosterone; D000068677:Sildenafil Citrate