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Aphrodisiac properties of
some Zimbabwean medicinal plants formulations
G. M. Gundidza1, V. M. Mmbengwa2,
M. L. Magwa3, N.J. Ramalivhana2,
N. T. Mukwevho2, W. Ndaradzi4 and A.
Samie5*
1School
of therapeutic Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical
School, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South
Africa.
2Department
of Agriculture, Animal health and Human Ecology, University
of South Africa (UNISA), Florida, South Africa.
3Department
of Botany and Electron Microscope Unit, University of Fort
Hare, Private Bag X1314, Alice 5700, Eastern Cape, South.
4Department
of Pharmacy, University of Zimbabwe (UZ), Harare, Zimbabwe.
5Department
of Microbiology, University of Venda, Private bag X5050,
Thohoyandou 0950, Limpopo, South Africa.
*Corresponding author. E-mail:
samieamidou@yahoo.com or
samie.amidou@univen.ac.za.
Tel: +27159628186; Cell: +27760952916
Fax: 27 15 962 8648.
Accepted
19 May, 2009 |
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The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of
formulations composed of Mondia whitei, Ekebergia
capansis, aloe tincture (Aloe exelsa) and
pumpkin seed (Cucurbita pepo) on sexual behaviour of
inexperienced male rats. Male rats were treated orally with
ethanol extracts of M. whitei and E. capensis,
aloe tincture (from aloe juice) and pumpkin seed
powder. The sexual behaviour of the rats treated with
extracts was compared with those treated with 100 µg of
testosterone as the positive control and those receiving
normal rat feed as negative control. The receptivity of the
females was rendered homogeneous with daily dose of estadiol
benzoate. The sexual behaviour of the rats were observed
over one ejaculatory phase for five consecutive days. The
results showed a dose dependent increase in sexual
arousability (decreased mounting latency), copulatory
efficiency (decreased
intercoupulatory interval) and improved sexual sensation
(increased in
neuromotor activity) for the rats treated with M. whitei and E.
capensis, aloe and pumpkin seeds showing an increase in
sexual performance in terms of intromissions and ejaculatory
latency which also improved sexual sensation and coupulatory
efficiency. The formulations of plants under investigation
showed significant aphrodisiac properties.
Key
words:
Mondia whitei, Ekebergia capansis, aloe tincture,
pumpkin seed, sexual behaviors. |
