Objective: To evaluate Ficus asperifolia (Moraceae) (F. asperifolia) effecting on regular estrus cycle of Wistar rats. Methods: Air-dried fruits of F. asperifolia were extracted using water. Prior to the test, vaginal smear was monitored daily for a 3-week period to select females with normal (regular) estrous cycle. Those with regular estrus cycle weighing between 150-170 g were randomized into three sets of 15 animals each. Each set was then divided into three groups:Group 1 (control) was orally administered with distilled water (10 mL/kg body weight) once a day for 1 week starting from the proestrus stage. Groups 2 and 3 were respectively treated with 100 and 500 mg/kg body weight of the plant aqueous extract. The two other sets of 15 animals each were similarly treated as the first set for 3 weeks and 6 weeks respectively. Estrus cycle pattern was monitored before and during plant extract application whereas lipid profile, ovary, uterus and liver growth indices were determined at the end of each treatment. Results: F. asperifolia did not disrupt (0%) the order of appearance of normal estrus cycle stages, namely, proestrus, estrus, metestrus and diestrus. Short-term treatment (1 week duration) exhibited high frequency of appearance of proestrus and estrus stages while mid- (3 weeks) and long-term (6 weeks) treatments revealed constancy in the frequency of all stages irrespective to animal groups. The plasma and organ lipid profile, as well as ovary, uterus and liver growth remained unchanged when compared to distilled water-treated animals. Following long-term administration of plant extract (6 weeks), no adverse effect was noticed. Conclusions: Our data partially support the use of F. asperifolia in common medicine.

Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate the prosexual activity of two compounds isolated from the hexane extract of the dried roots of Mondia whitei in rats. Methods: β-sitosterol and the mixture of α and β-amyrin acetate were isolated and characterised using several reagents, chromatography, mass spectrometry and physical analysis (RMN, 1H and 13C). Sexually inexperienced adult male rats were orally treated with these compounds at doses of 0mg/kg (control), 10mg/kg or 50mg/kg. 1h after the treatment, mount and intromission latencies and frequencies, penile erection, ejaculation latency and post-ejaculatory interval were measured for 60 minutes. Results: β-sitosterol and the mixture of α and β-amyrin acetate significantly increased the mount frequency (p<0.05), penile erection (P<0.001) and the ejaculation latency when compared to control. The intromission frequency remained unchanged (P>0.05) when compared to control. The two purified compounds were efficient at the lower dose (10 mg/kg b.w) with β-sitosterol being the most potent. Conclusion:Results of the present work give added value to the aphrodisiac property of Mondia whitei and further justify its popular use as a sex stimulant.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate Ficus asperifolia (Moraceae) (F. asperifolia) effecting on regular estrus cycle of Wistar rats.

METHODSAir-dried fruits of F. asperifolia were extracted using water. Prior to the test, vaginal smear was monitored daily for a 3-week period to select females with normal (regular) estrous cycle. Those with regular estrus cycle weighing between 150-170 g were randomized into three sets of 15 animals each. Each set was then divided into three groups: Group 1 (control) was orally administered with distilled water (10 mL/kg body weight) once a day for 1 week starting from the proestrus stage. Groups 2 and 3 were respectively treated with 100 and 500 mg/kg body weight of the plant aqueous extract. The two other sets of 15 animals each were similarly treated as the first set for 3 weeks and 6 weeks respectively. Estrus cycle pattern was monitored before and during plant extract application whereas lipid profile, ovary, uterus and liver growth indices were determined at the end of each treatment.

RESULTSF. asperifolia did not disrupt (0%) the order of appearance of normal estrus cycle stages, namely, proestrus, estrus, metestrus and diestrus. Short-term treatment (1 week duration) exhibited high frequency of appearance of proestrus and estrus stages while mid- (3 weeks) and long-term (6 weeks) treatments revealed constancy in the frequency of all stages irrespective to animal groups. The plasma and organ lipid profile, as well as ovary, uterus and liver growth remained unchanged when compared to distilled water-treated animals. Following long-term administration of plant extract (6 weeks), no adverse effect was noticed.

CONCLUSIONSOur data partially support the use of F. asperifolia in common medicine.

Administration, Oral ; Animals ; Estrus ; drug effects ; Female ; Fertility Agents, Female ; pharmacology ; Ficus ; chemistry ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Time Factors

AIMTo determine the effect of the aqueous extract of Mondia whitei (Periplocaceae) roots on testosterone production and fertility of male rats.

METHODSAdult male Wistar rats were used. In the acute study, 20 rats were randomly divided into 5 groups of 4 animals each. Four treated groups were administered orally a single dose of Mondia whitei (400 mg/kg) and the controls received a similar amount of distilled water. One group of animals were sacrificed by cervical dislocation 1, 2, 4 and 6 h after treatment, respectively. The controls were sacrificed at 6 h. Testicular testosterone was determined by radioimmunoassay. In the chronic study, 28 rats were divided at random into 4 groups of 7 animals each: Groups 1, 2 and 3 were given orally the plant extract (400 mg.kg(-1).day(-1)) for 2, 4 and 8 days, respectively. The animals of Groups 1 and 2 were sacrificed 24 hours after the last dosing. The controls (Group 4) received the same amount of distilled water for 8 days. The fertility was assessed only in Groups 3 and 4 and after that, the animals were sacrificed and the epididymal sperm density, the serum testosterone and the testicular testosterone and 17 beta-estradiol were assayed. The serum, testicular and epidydimal protein contents were also determined.

RESULTSIn the acute treatment groups, the serum and testicular concentrations of testosterone remained unchanged at all the time points. Chronic treatment for 8 days induced a significant increase in the testicular weight, the serum and testicular testosterone, the testicular protein content and the sperm density (P < 0.05-0.01), but did not affect the accessory gland weights, the serum protein contents, the testicular concentration of 17beta -estradiol and the fertility compared to the controls.

CONCLUSIONMondia whitei root extract possesses an androgenic property.

Androgens ; Animals ; Fertility ; drug effects ; Gentiana ; Male ; Organ Size ; drug effects ; Phytotherapy ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; Plant Roots ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Sperm Count ; Testis ; drug effects ; Testosterone ; blood

Objective: To evaluate the effects of aqueous and methanolic extracts of Bersama engleriana (B. engleriana) leaves on the expulsion phase of fictive ejaculation in nicotinamide/streptozotocin-induced type 2 diabetic male rats. Methods: The electromyographic activity of the bulbospongiosus muscles was recorded in urethane anaesthetized, spinal cord transected rats receiving dopamine (0.1 μmol/L/kg) intravenously, in the absence or presence of aqueous and methanolic extracts of B. engleriana (2.5, 10, 50, 60, 75 mg/kg). In another experiment, the pro-ejaculatory effect of dopamine (0.1 μmol/L/kg, i.v.) was monitored in rats orally pre-treated with the aqueous and methanolic extracts (60 mg/kg) of B. engleriana for 1 or 4 weeks. Results: Results of the study showed that the intravenous administration of B. engleriana did not provoke any contraction of the ejaculatory muscles whilst rhythmic and rapid contractions of the bulbospongiosus muscles accompanied sometimes by penis movement and expulsion of the urethral contents were recorded after dopamine application. The sequential treatment of animals with B. engleriana extracts (2.5-75.0 mg/kg) followed by dopamine (0.1 μmol/L/kg) resulted in a dose-dependent abolishment of the pro-ejaculatory response due to dopamine. However, in animals orally submitted to a daily gavage with B. engleriana extracts (60 mg/kg) for 1 or 4 weeks, the ejaculation stimulating effect of dopamine (0.1 μmol/L/kg) was significantly delayed (P<0.01) but not completely suppressed. Conclusions: Present findings suggest the involvement of dopaminergic system in the activity of B. engleriana and further support its aphrodisiac potentials due to sterols and saponins revealed in this plant.

OBJECTIVE: Hypothyroidism has been claimed to generate sexual dysfunctions such as ejaculatory disorders. Aframomum melegueta is an aphrodisiac plant with pro-ejaculatory properties. We investigated the protective effects of aqueous extract (AE) and methanolic extract (ME) of A. melegueta on the ejaculatory function of hypothyroid male rats. METHODS: Forty sexually experienced male rats were partitioned into 8 groups (5 rats per group) and treated for 28 d as follows: Group 1, Control; Group 2, propylthiouracil (PTU, 10 mg/kg) + distilled water (DW, 10 mL/kg); Group 3, PTU + 5% Tween 80 (10 mL/kg); Group 4, PTU + bromocriptine (6 mg/kg); Group 5, PTU + AE (20 mg/kg); Group 6, PTU + AE (100 mg/kg); Group 7, PTU + ME (20 mg/kg), and Group 8, PTU + ME (100 mg/kg). On days 0, 7, 14 and 28 of treatment, each male rat was paired with primed receptive female for measurement of ejaculatory latency time (ELT) and post-ejaculatory interval (PEI) for 1.5 h. On day 29, each male rat was urethane-anesthetized and the spinal cord was transected. Thereafter, following urethral/penile stimulations and intravenous injection of dopamine, contractions of the bulbospongiosus muscles and the intraseminal pressure were registered. After these recordings, blood was collected through the catheterization of abdominal artery and plasma was used for thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), prolactin and testosterone assays. RESULTS: PTU-induced hypothyroidism was characterized by a significant elevation (P < 0.001) of plasmatic TSH and prolactin levels, but a decline (P < 0.001) in plasmatic testosterone, compared to untreated group. ELT, PEI, contractions of the bulbospongiosus muscles and the intraseminal pressure were also altered by PTU treatment. On the contrary, A. melegueta extracts elevated testosterone (AE, 100 mg/kg, P < 0.01; ME, 100 mg/kg, P < 0.05) and decreased prolactin (AE, 100 mg/kg, P < 0.05; ME, 20 mg/kg, P < 0.05) levels, compared to corresponding controls. With regard to DW + PTU group, prolactin concentration was lowered (P < 0.05) in rats administered with bromocriptine. Treatment with A. melegueta extracts significantly prevented the lengthening of ELT (P < 0.05) and PEI (P < 0.001). Hypothyroid state also altered the fictive ejaculation by increasing the latency and decreasing the number and frequency of bulbospongiosus muscle contractions. There was also a decrease in the intraseminal pressure. These alterations were significantly (P < 0.05) alleviated in plant extract-treated groups. CONCLUSION This study highlighted the ejaculatory disturbance of hypothyroidism in male rats and its prevention with A. melegueta extracts.

OBJECTIVE: Cyclophosphamide (CP) is commonly used to treat some cancers, but its clinical efficacy is also linked with testicular toxicity. We investigated the effects of aqueous extract (AE) and methanolic extract (ME) of Helichrysum odoratissimum for reducing CP-induced reproductive toxicity in male rats. METHODS: In addition to a normal control (group 1), drugs or vehicles were administered orally to seven groups (n = 5) of rats that had already received 4-weeks of pre-treatment with CP (5 mg/[kg·d], per oral administration); group 2 received CP + distilled water (10 mL/[kg·d]); group 3 received CP + 5% tween 80 (10 mL/[kg·d]); group 4 received CP + clomiphene citrate (0.25 mg/[kg·d]); groups 5 and 6 received CP + AE (50 and 100 mg/[kg·d]) and groups 7 and 8 received CP + ME (50 and 100 mg/[kg·d]). Animals were sacrificed on day 15, and body and sexual organ weights, sperm characteristics, testosterone level and testicular histology were evaluated. RESULTS: The CP-treated group showed a significant reduction (P < 0.001) in the body and seminal vesicle weights, testosterone level, sperm count, sperm motility and sperm viability, but elevated (P < 0.001) sperm morphological abnormalities and testicular structure alterations, compared to the control group. Interestingly, these detrimental effects of CP were reversed by treatment with H. odoratissimum extracts. For instance, both extracts and all doses of H. odoratissimum significantly increased the sperm count (P < 0.001), sperm motility (AE, 50 mg/kg, P < 0.05; ME, 50 and 100 mg/kg, P < 0.05) and sperm viability (AE, 50 mg/kg, P < 0.001; ME, 50 and 100 mg/kg, P < 0.001) compared to the CP group. H. odoratissimum also improved plasmatic and intratesticular testosterone levels and prevented histological alterations of the testes. CONCLUSION H. odoratissimum might be considered as an alternative drug to alleviate/prevent reproductive damage in cancer patients receiving CP chemotherapy.