Effects of 50% Ethanolic Extract of Andrographis Paniculata on Sexual Behavior and Serum Hormonal Assay in Male Sprague Dawley Rats.

ABSTRACT

Andrographis paniculata has been used for centuries as a medicinal herb for the treatment of various ailments. The present study was aimed to investigate the possible effect of A. paniculata extract on male sexual behavior parameters and sex hormone levels. Fifty Sprague Dawley male rats received 50% ethanolic extract of A. paniculata by gavaging for 10 weeks at the doses of 0.5, 1, 10, 100, 1000 mg/kg, while another 10 male rats were given distilled water. Sexual behavior study was carried out on day 45thof treatment by pairing with a naturally receptive female (11). At the end of treatment period, the male rats were sacrificed by ethyl ether inhalation. The bloods were centrifuged to obtain serum for determination of hormone levels. Results showed that sexual behavior parameters in treatment groups were found to be comparable with that of the control indicating no effect on sexual motivation and performance. Treatment of A. paniculata was significantly increased serum testosterone level, while FSH and LH concentrations remained statistically unchanged at any of the dose levels. Based on these findings, ingestion of A. paniculata did not induce any adverse effect on sexual behavior and improvement of testosterone observed might be contributed for therapeutic use of this plant as sex enhancer.