title: Screening of aphrodisiac property in sea slug, Aplysia dactylomela.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the aphrodisiac property of Aplysia dactylomela (A. dactylomelan), locally known as 'dugu-dugu', which is one of the sea slug species.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two types of extractions were used; aqueous and lipid. Three doses of each A. dactylomelan extract, respectively; 50, 100, 200 mg/kg were administered (i.p.) to male mice for mounting behavior test. Sildenafil citrate or Viagra® (5 mg/kg) being positive control while negative control received saline solution.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The animals treated with lipid extract at the respective dose exhibited mounting behavior, but the mounting frequency decreased at higher doses (100 and 200 mg/kg). However, all doses of aqueous extract did not show any mounting behavior. Meanwhile, in all doses of lipid extracts administered displayed significant difference (P<0.05) from the positive control. Despite this, only the lipid extract of 50 mg/kg showed significant difference (P<0.05) with negative control. This signifies that lipid extracts especially in dose 50 mg/kg have a substantial effect of aphrodisiac property. In addition, the presence of steroids was detected in the phytochemical screening of lipid extract.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings from this study provides preliminary scientific evidence that A. dactylomela could be used as an alternative medication of natural product for promoting sexual activity in men.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Science, Kulliyyah of Allied Health Sciences, International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Electronic address: dr_ridzwan@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Ridzwan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hashim
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Science, Kulliyyah of Allied Health Sciences, International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Noor Atika Elliyana Mohd
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Roslan
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Science, Kulliyyah of Allied Health Sciences, International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Farah Hanis
authors.initials: FH
authors.lastname: Zulkipli
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Kulliyyah of Science, International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Jamaluddin Mohd
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Daud
keywords: Aphrodisiac; Aplysia dactylomela extract; Mounting frequency; Sildenafil citrate