PRELIMINARY APHRODISIAC ACTIVITY OF HYBANTHUS ENNEASPERMUS IN RATS

Abstract

Orally administered ethanol (300 mg/kg) and aqueous (300 mg/kg) extracts of Hybanthus enneaspermus (L) F. Muell were evaluated for its aphrodisiac activity in sexually inactive male rats both in a single dose regimen and in a chronic regimen as a daily dose for 28 days. Mount and intromission latency and number of mounts, intromissions and ejaculations were the parameters used for assessing sexual arousal and performance. Following a single dose administration, the aqueous extract produced a decrease in the mounting and intromission latency, with an increase in the ejaculatory and intromission frequency. In the chronic model, both the alcohol and aqueous extracts increased the number of mounts, ejaculations and intromissions with decrease in the mounting and intromission latency. Treatment with aqueous extract also elevated the testosterone levels in sexually inactive male rats. The findings suggest that H. ennaespermus may exert aphrodisiac activity in sexually inactive male rats.