title: Comparative evaluation of the sexual functions and NF-κB and Nrf2 pathways of some aphrodisiac herbal extracts in male rats.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Mucuna pruriens, Tribulus terrestris and Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) are widely known as antioxidant effective herbals and have been reported to possess aphrodisiac activities in traditional usages. In this study, we determined the effects of these herbals on sexual functions, serum biochemical parameters, oxidative stress and levels of NF-κB, Nrf2, and HO-1 in reproductive tissues.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-five male rats were divided into five groups: the control group, sildenafil-treated group (5 mg/kg/d), Mucuna, Tribulus and Ashwagandha groups. The extract groups were treated orally either with Mucuna, Tribulus or Ashwagandha (300 mg/kg b.w.) for 8 weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All of the extracts were found to be significantly effective in sexual functioning and antioxidant capacity and Tribulus showed the highest effectiveness. Serum testosterone levels significantly increased in Tribulus and Ashwagandha groups in comparison to control group. Tribulus was able to reduce the levels of NF-κB and increase the levels of Nrf2 and HO-1 to a much greater extent than Mucuna and Ashwagandha.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results demonstrate for the first time that Mucuna, Tribulus and Ashwagandha supplementation improves sexual function in male rats via activating Nrf2/ HO-1 pathway while inhibiting the NF-κB levels. Moreover, Tribulus terrestris extract was found to be more bioavailable from Ashwagandha extract followed by Mucuna extract. Schematic representation of the mode of action of some aphrodisiac herbal extracts to improve sexual functions.
authors: Department of Animal Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Firat University, 23119, Elazig, Turkey. nsahinkm@yahoo.com.|Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Fisheries, Inonu University, Malatya, 44280, Turkey. nsahinkm@yahoo.com.
authors: Kazim
authors: K
authors: Sahin
authors: Department of Animal Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Firat University, 23119, Elazig, Turkey.
authors: Cemal
authors: C
authors: Orhan
authors: Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Fisheries, Inonu University, Malatya, 44280, Turkey.
authors: Fatih
authors: F
authors: Akdemir
authors: Division of Biology, Faculty of Science, Firat University, 23119, Elazig, Turkey.
authors: Mehmet
authors: M
authors: Tuzcu
authors: Division of Biology, Faculty of Science, Firat University, 23119, Elazig, Turkey.
authors: Hasan
authors: H
authors: Gencoglu
authors: Department of Animal Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Firat University, 23119, Elazig, Turkey.
authors: Nurhan
authors: N
authors: Sahin
authors: Department of Reproduction and Artificial Insemination, Faculty of Veterinary, Firat University, 23119, Elazig, Turkey.
authors: Gaffari
authors: G
authors: Turk
authors: Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Inonu University, Malatya, 44100, Turkey.
authors: Ismet
authors: I
authors: Yilmaz
authors: Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Firat University, 23119, Elazig, Turkey.
authors: Ibrahim H
authors: IH
authors: Ozercan
authors: Research and Development, OmniActive Health Technologies Inc., Morristown, NJ, USA.
authors: Vijaya
authors: V
authors: Juturu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001046:Aphrodisiacs / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005298:Fertility / Q000187:drug effects; D005837:Genitalia, Male / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D051267:NF-E2-Related Factor 2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000378:metabolism*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D001046:Aphrodisiacs; D051267:NF-E2-Related Factor 2; D016328:NF-kappa B; C495637:Nfe2l2 protein, rat; D010936:Plant Extracts
keywords: Fertility; Mucuna pruriens; Reproductive organs; Sexual enhancer; Tribulus terrestris; Withania somnifera