Effect of Cinnamomum cassia methanol extract and sildenafil on arginase and sexual function of young male Wistar rats.
BACKGROUND
Herbs have been used as an aphrodisiac since ages. Cinnamomum cassia is an important ingredient of many Ayurvedic formulations to treat male sexual disorder including erectile dysfunction (ED).


OBJECTIVE
The objective of the present study was to evaluate erectogenic and aphrodisiac activity of methanol extract of C. cassia bark in young male rats.


METHODS
Methanol extract of C. cassia was screened in vitro for arginase inhibition potential and IC50 was determined. Effect of the extract was observed in vitro on phenylephrine pre-contracted isolated rat corpus cavernosum smooth muscle (CCSM) at 0.1, 1, 10, and 100 μg/mL. Young male Wistar rats were dosed with extract at 100 mg/kg body weight for 28 days and its effects on sexual behavior and penile smooth muscle : collagen level were observed.


METHODS
Effect of C. cassia was studied on arginase activity in vitro and sexual behavior of young male rats.


RESULTS
C. cassia inhibited arginase activity in vitro with an IC50 of 61.72 ± 2.20 μg/mL. The extract relaxed phenylephrine pre-contracted isolated rat CCSM up to 43% and significantly increased (P < 0.05) sexual function of young male rats. Treatment with the extract also increased smooth muscle level and decreased collagen level in rat penile tissue.


CONCLUSIONS
The study proves usefulness of methanol extract of C. cassia bark for increasing sexual function.
Department of Pharmacology, Al-Ameen College of Pharmacy, Bangalore, India.
Sumanta K
SK
Goswami
Mohammed N
MN
Inamdar
Rohitash
R
Jamwal
Shekhar
S
Dethe
D000818:Animals; D001046:Aphrodisiacs / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001119:Arginase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D032904:Cinnamomum aromaticum; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination / Q000379:methods; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000187:drug effects; D010413:Penis / Q000187:drug effects; D058986:Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D010879:Piperazines / Q000494:pharmacology; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011687:Purines / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*; D000068677:Sildenafil Citrate; D013450:Sulfones / Q000494:pharmacology; D013739:Testosterone / Q000627:therapeutic use
D001046:Aphrodisiacs; D058986:Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors; D010879:Piperazines; D010936:Plant Extracts; D011687:Purines; D013450:Sulfones; D013739:Testosterone; D000068677:Sildenafil Citrate; D001119:Arginase
Arginase; Cinnamomum cassia; Enzymes and Enzyme Inhibitors Regulating Corporal Smooth Muscle Relaxation; NOHA; Sexual Function; Sildenafil