Efecto in vitro de los suplementos vitamínicos que se venden como afrodisíacos sobre la movilidad espermática / In vitro effect of Vitamin Supplements Sold as Aphrodisiacs on Sperm Motility

Objetivo El objetivo de este trabajo es determinar el efecto in vitro de los suplementos vitamínicos que se venden como afrodisíacos sobre la movilidad espermática. Materiales y métodos Comprimidos de venta libre obtenidos en diferentes centros de venta de productos naturales y sexuales de la ciudad de Medellín fueron evaluados (Sex Bull, Ses-Max, Vigorday, Up12, Furumbao, Canguro, MAGYMas) y diluidos en solución salina. Posteriormente, fueron mezclados en proporciones iguales con las muestras de semen de 22 voluntarios aparentemente sanos y se determinó el efecto sobre la movilidad en función del tiempo (0, 60, 120 y 180 minutos). Resultados El análisis del efecto de los tratamientos con extractos acuosos de los suplementos vitamínicos sobre los espermatozoides, fueron divididos según la presencia de L-arginina en su composición. No se observaron cambios positivos sobre la movilidad espermática. Conclusión Los suplementos vitamínicos que se venden en las tiendas naturistas y sexuales de la ciudad, no ejercen ningún efecto sobre la calidad seminal in vitro, seguramente basados en su composición solo sirven como suplementos energéticos.

Aim to determine the in vitro effect of the vitamin supplements sold as aphrodisiacs on sperm motility. Materials and Methods The tablets of free sale obtained in different and sex shop from Medellín city were evaluated (Sex Bull, Ses-Max, Vigorday, Up12, Furumbao, Canguro, MAGYMas) and diluted in saline solution. Later, the semen samples from 22 apparently healthy volunteers were mixed in equal proportions and the effect on motility over time (0, 60, 120 and 180 minutes) was determined. Results Analysis of the effect of treatments with aqueous extracts of vitamin supplements on spermatozoa were divided according to the presence of l-arginine in their composition. There were no positive changes in sperm motility. Conclusion The vitamin supplements sold in the naturopathic shops and sexual stores of the city do not exert any effect on seminal quality in vitro, probably based on their composition only serve as an energetic supplement.

Aphrodisiac Effects of Aqueous Extracts of Pausinystalia yohimbe, Cassia sieberiana and Cissus populnea Roots In Paroxetine-Induced Sexual Dysfunction Male Rats: A Comparative Study:

@#There is a folkloric claim that Pausinystalia yohimbe,Cassia sieberiana and Cissus populnearoots can be used to enhance sexual behaviour in male rats. However, there is still dearth of scientific evidence that substantiated the acclaimed efficacy of separate and combined use of the plant as sex enhancer. Therefore, the aims of this study were to compare the separate and combined effects of aqueous extracts of Pausinystalia yohimbe, Cassia sieberiena and Cissus populnearoots in paroxetine-induced sexually impaired male rats.Thirty five male rats were assigned into seven groups (A-G) such that rats in group A received orally 1.0 ml of distilled water for 7 days, while those in groups B -G which were induced into sexual dysfunction (administration of 10 mg/kg of paroxetine) also received equal volume of distilled water, 7.14 mg/kg body weight of PowmaxM (a reference drug), 50 mg/kg body weight of P. yohimbe, 50 mg/kg body weight of C. sieberiana, 50 mg/kg body weight of C. populneaand 50 mg/kg body weight of 1:1:1 mixture of the three extracts, once daily for seven days respectively. The sexual behavior indices of the male rats and the levels of their reproductive hormones were evaluated by standard procedures. The paroxetine-treatment related reductions (P<0.05) in the sexual behaviour indices of Mount Frequency, Intromission Frequency and Ejaculatory Frequency, levels of serum reproductive hormones of testosterone, luteinizing hormone and follicle stimulating hormone were progressively attenuated by the separate administration of the plant extracts. Furthermore, the increases in the Mount Latency, Intromission Latency, Ejaculatory Latency and Post-ejaculatory Interval were also gradually reduced, following the administration of the plant extracts. The male rat sexual behaviour indices and the levels of the male reproductive hormones following the administration of the 1:1:1 mixture of the extracts were not significantly different (P>0.05) from the effects of the separate extracts. All these changes compared favourably (P>0.05) well with those of the sexual dysfunction rats that received PowmaxM (Group G). The results obtained in the present study indicate that the extracts of these plants may have the potentialfor the management of sexual dysfunction in male rats. The combined use of the plants was not significantly better than the individual use of the plants thereby, each and any of the three plants readily available might be used for this purpose.

Maca (lepidium meyenii) supplementation increase the sexual capacity of low but not high sexual performance rams (ovis aries) / La suplementación con maca (lepidium meyenii) incrementa la capacidad de servicio en carneros (ovis aries)de bajo pero no de alto desempeño sexual

To evaluate the effect of maca (Lepidium meyenii) supplementation on the sexual capacity of males, 40 rams were classified as high (HP) and low performers (LP). Within each category (n = 20), ten rams were supplemented with 233 mg of dry maca/kg of body weight/day during four weeks, followed by four weeks of a control diet (residual), while the rest of the animals remained as controls during the eight-weeks period. LP rams increased (P < 0.05) all sexual behaviors during maca supplementation up to HP levels, decreasing to control planes one week after the supplementation ceased. In contrast, in HP rams, maca supplementation only increased genital sniffs and nudging, while mounts and ejaculations remained unaffected during both supplementation and residual phases. It was concluded that maca supplementation affects males differently, according to their original sexual capacity.

Con el propósito de evaluar el efecto de la suplementación con maca (Lepidium meyenii) en la capacidad de servicio de los machos, 40 carneros se clasificaron como de alto (HP) y bajo desempeño sexual (LP). Dentro de cada categoría (n = 20), diez carneros se suplementaron con 233 mg de maca seca/kg de peso corporal/día durante cuatro semanas, seguidos de cuatro semanas de dieta control (residual), mientras que el resto de los animales permanecieron como testigos durante las ocho semanas. Los carneros LP incrementaron (P<0.05) todas sus conductas sexuales durante la suplementación hasta niveles similares a los mostrados por carneros HP, disminuyendo a niveles del grupo control una semana después de terminada la suplementación. En contraste, en los carneros HP, la suplementación con maca sólo incrementó las conductas de olfateo genital y cortejo, sin embargo montas y eyaculaciones permanecieron sin cambios tanto durante la fase de suplementación como la residual. Se concluye que la suplementación con maca actúa diferente en machos de acuerdo a su capacidad de servicio.

Ethnopharmacological Properties of Ceasalpinia benthamiana - A Mini Review.

Caesalpinia benthamiana (Baill.) Herend. and Zarucchi (synonym. Mezoneuron benthamianum Baill.) belongs to the family Fabaceae, it is a climbing or a straggling shrub and is well known in some West African countries for its medicinal properties where it is used to cure general malaise, wound, urethral discharge, ulcer, pile, skin infection and believed to have aphrodisiac property. Phytochemical studies have revealed the leaf to contain essential oils, Gallic acid derivatives, tannins, saponins, flavonoids, phenols, anthraquinones and reducing sugars while the aqueous fractions of the root contain Gallic acid, resveratrol and tannins. Pharmacological assays have established the plant to be antiinflammatory, anti-diarrheal, anti-bacterial, anti-candida, and to have vasorelaxation and aphrodisiac properties. This review presents information on the morphology, ecology, ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, biological activities and toxicological properties of C. benthamiana and aims at providing an up-to-date detail that should constitute baseline information for future research on the plant.

Plant-based Rasayana drugs from Ayurveda / 中国结合医学杂志

Rasayana tantra is one of the eight specialties of Ayurveda. It is a specialized practice in the form of rejuvenative recipes, dietary regimen, special health promoting behaviour and drugs. Properly administered Rasayana can bestow the human being with several benefits like longevity, memory, intelligence, freedom from diseases, youthful age, excellence of luster, complexion and voice, optimum strength of physique and sense organs, respectability and brilliance. Various types of plant based Rasayana recipes are mentioned in Ayurveda. Review of the current literature available on Rasayanas indicates that anti-oxidant and immunomodulation are the most studied activities of the Rasayana drugs. Querying in Pubmed database on Rasayanas reveals that single plants as well as poly herbal formulations have been researched on. This article reviews the basics of Rasayana therapy and the published research on different Rasayana drugs for specific health conditions. It also provides the possible directions for future research.

Determinación de los metabolitos secundarios de Cnidoscolus basiacanthus y Jatropha macrantha para su validación y uso en el Perú / Determination of secondary metabolites of Cnidoscolus basiacanthus and Jatropha macrantha for validation and use in Peru

La validación de plantas medicinales es tarea impostergable para rescatar muchos recursos que la medicina tradicional usa desde tiempos inmemoriales y cuya eficiencia sólo se basa en la tradición. En tal sentido esta investigación se orientó a la Taxonomía, Ecogeografía, Etnobotánica y Fitoquímica de Cnidoscolus basiacanthus y Jatropha macrantha ampliamente usadas como reconstituyentes y aún como afrodisíacas. El material biológico procedió de diferentes localidades de los Valles Jequetepeque y Alto Chicama en Cajamarca y La Libertad respectivamente. El Método Ortodoxo y el Sistema de Clasificación respectivos permitió reportar las características taxonómicas, eco-geográficas y etnomedicinales y el estudio Fitoquímico preliminar por el Método de la gota da a conocer que ambas especies contienen alcaloides, esteriodes entre otros cuya naturaleza y cuantificación se están evaluando; para su validación como recursos para mejorar la calidad de vida del hombre

Ecological and pharmacological studies of an aphrodisiac plant corchorus depressus [Linn.]

The aphrodisiac potential of Corchorus depressus and its various ecological and phytochemical parameters were evaluated in the desert environment. The phyto-sociological studies conducted at five sites revealed higher RIV values of this plant during summer period at all sites. Their biomass allocation is largely affected [P<0.01] by both spatial and temporal factors. In vitro germination studies revealed hard seed coat dormancy, duration of acid scarification follows parabolic relation R[2]=0.96] prolonged presoaking [60 h] in water resulted at 50% germination. The variation in different primary metabolites [protein, soluble sugar] secondary metabolites [steroidal sapogenin, phenol and alkaloid] and microelement [Zn and Fe] contributed [P<0.01] by sites, seasons, and plant parts and their different interactions as well. Concentration of different edaphic factors [moisture, pH, EC, organic C, total N, and available P] in Indian arid zone also influenced by factors like site, season and sampling positions [P<0.01]. The bioassay studies with mice indicated that this plant possesses strong androgenic compound and weak estrogenic compound. Summer season harvest is recommended

Free serum testosterone level in male rats treated with tribulus alatus extracts

OBJECTIVE: The present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of Tribulus alatus extracts on free serum testosterone in male rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Free serum testosterone level was measured in male rats treated with alcoholic extracts of the aerial part without fruits, fruits of Tribulus alatus and their fractions. RESULTS: All tested extracts showed significant increase in the level of free serum testosterone when compared to that of corresponding control, p < 0.05. Statistical comparison of all groups revealed that the maximum level was found in groups treated with chloroformic and ethanolic fractions of fruits extract. CONCLUSION: Tribulus alatus extract appears to possess aphrodisiac activity due to its androgen increasing property.

Ptychopetalum olacoides Bentham: principais características botânicas, fitoquímicas e farmacológicas / Ptychopetalum olacoides Bentham: a review of botanical, phytochemical and pharmacological aspects

Ptychopetalum olacoides Bentham (Olacaceae), planta abundante na região amazônica brasileira, popularmente conhecida como marapuama ou muirapuama, possui grande interesse para a indústria farmacêutica. É originária da América do Sul, mais especificamente norte do Brasil e Guianas, e grande parte de sua obtenção como matéria-prima ainda se dá a partir de práticas extrativistas, sem manejo sustentável. O Brasil exporta cerca de 50 ton/ano da droga fragmentada, pulverizada ou na forma de extrato seco, para inúmeros países da Europa e América do Norte, destacando-se os EUA como maior importador. Devido a tamanha relevância do tema, buscou-se levantar informações em três catálogos internacionais de referência: Chemical Abstracts, Biological Abstracts e International Pharmaceutical Abstracts, no período compreendido entre 1907 e 2001, sobre aspectos científicos da pesquisa botânica, fitoquímica e farmacológica da muirapuama.

Amores e sonhos da flora: afrodisíacos e alucinógenos na botânica e na farmárcia / Loves and dreams of the flora: aphrodisiacs and hallucinogens in the botany and in the pharmacy

Ao estudar os herbários produzidos entre os séculos XVI e XVIII, Henrique Carneiro rastreia a construção social das noções desenvolvidas na Era Moderna acerca do uso de diferentes plantas, com conseqüências que chegam até nós. Nesse período são redescobertos e traduzidos textos clássicos do primeiro século da Era Cristã; começa o trabalho empírico de comparação entre as plantas descritas naqueles livros e as plantas então existentes na Europa; e, finalmente, há descoberta pelo Ocidente das floras americana e oriental. A botânica e a farmácia nascem, então, como ciências inextrincavelmente ligadas, cuja motivação principal é a busca de novas drogas. Seus usos, como aponta Henrique, ao lado da cura de doenças ou lesões, também visavam ao domínios do sexo, do sonho, do transe, da alucinação, da morte e do prazer. Recebiam, assim, especial atenção as plantas consideradas afrodisíacas, anafrodisíacas e alucinógenas.

A case of methemoglobinemia after ingestion of an aphrodisiac, later proven as dapsone

Methemoglobin (MetHb) is an oxidation product of hemoglobin in which the sixth coordination position of ferric iron is bound to a water molecule or to a hydroxyl group. The most common cause of acquired MetHb-emia is accidental poisoning which usually is the result of ingestion of water containing nitrates or food containing nitrite, and sometimes the inhalation or ingestion of butyl or amyl nitrite used as an aphrodisiac. We herein report a case of MetHb-emia after ingestion of an aphrodisiac, later identified as dapsone by gas chromatograph/mass selective detector (GC/MSD). A 24-year old male was admitted due to cyanosis after ingestion of a drug purchased as an aphrodisiac. On arterial blood gas analysis, pH was 7.32, PaCO2 26.8 mmHg, PaO2 75.6 mmHg, and bicarbonate 13.9 mmol/L. Initial pulse oxymetry was 89%. With 3 liter of nasal oxygen supplement, oxygen saturation was increased to 90-92%, but cyanosis did not disappear. Despite continuous supplement of oxygen, cyanosis was not improved. On the fifth hospital day, MetHb was 24.9%. Methylene blue was administered (2 mg/kg intravenously) and the patient rapidly improved. We proved the composition of aphrodisiac as dapsone by the method of GC/MSD.

The Effects of Ginseng Saponin on Rabbit Cavernosal Smooth Muscle Relaxation in vitro / 대한비뇨기과학회지

PURPOSE: Ginseng saponin, the active ingredients extracted from Panax ginseng, has been used as aphrodisiacs in oriental country, however the exact action mechanism of ginseng saponin still remains uncertain. This study was undertaken to see if ginseng crude saponin(GCS) induce the L-arginine/Nitric oxide(NO) pathway related the corpus cavernosal smooth muscle relaxation, and to obtain the fundamental data for clinical application. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Isometric tension changes of rabbit corpus cavernosal strip to various drugs and electrical stimulation in an organ chamber(volume:30m1) were recorded with a pressure transducer. RESULTS: GCS(0.2-8.0mg) relaxed the smooth muscle of rabbit corpus cavernosum (SMRCC) precontracted with phenylephrine(10(-5)M) in dose-dependent manner GCS at the concentration of 0.75mg significantly enhanced the relaxation of corpus cavernosum induced by the electrical field stimulation. GCS(0.2-8.0mg)-induced relaxation was significantly attenuated by atropine(10(-6)M), methylene blue(10(-4)M) and L-NAME(10(-5)M), but there was no significant change of GCS-induced relaxation of SMRCC by adding VIP antagonist or indomethacin. In addition, the inhibition of GCS-induced relaxation of SMRCC by methylene blue or L-NAME was greater than that by atropine. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that GCS, as a NO donor, induces the relaxation of SMRCC through the L-arginine/NO pathway. For the clinical application of GCS, further studies should be needed to clarify the subfraction of GCS.

Aphrodisiac potential of peganum harmala seeds

Peganum harmala seeds are reported in literature of Unani medicine as having aphrodisiac properties. The present study was carried out to ascertain the properties of these seeds on animal models, using mature rats of the Sprague Dawely strain, for 58 days. Our findings indicate that the powder of these seeds do result in significant changes in the weight of the accessory glands, semen quality and histology of the organs involved in reproductive function, without affecting the metabolic function

Há açöes afrodisiácas nas plantas medicinais do Brasil? / Are there aphrodisiac effects in medicinal plants of Brazil?

A Organizaçäo Mundial de Saúde sugere o reestudo das plantas medicinais empregadas em Medicina Tradicional, para serem usadas nos serviços públicos de saúde. No Brasil, o Govermo está planejando utilizá-las em todo o país. Daí plantas existentes no país com apregoados efeitos afrodisíacos (mais de 120) säo mencionadas três: a) Catuaba, família Bignoniáceas, gênero Anemopaegma; família Aquifoliáceas, espécie IIIex conocarpa; uma Euforbiácea, Phyllanthus nobilis; Erythroxilon sp; uma Sapotácea, Pouteria subg. Microphilis, onde se encontra ioimbina. b) Damiana ou Turnera aphrodisiaca, família Turneráceas. c) Muirapuama, gênero Ptychopetalum, uma Olacácea que contém o alcalóide muirapuamina. Estas plantas poderiam atuar por efeito placebo, por açäo hormonal, por conteúdo em neurotransmissores, por açäo psicostimulante ou antidepressora, por açäo arterial, venosa ou outras. A descoberta de princípios ativos nestas plantas poderá gerar importantes benefícios para a agricultura e indústria do país