Enhancement of aphrodisiac activity in male rats by ethanol extract of Kaempferia parviflora and exercise training.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of Kaempferia parviflora extract (KD) and exercise training on reproductive function in male rats. Sexually mature males were assigned to four groups: control, KD70 (received 70 mg kg(-1) day(-1) for 4 weeks), Ex (exercise training for 4 weeks), Ex + KD70 (exercise training with KD 70 mg kg(-1) day(-1)). At the end of treatment regimes, sexual behaviours including mount latency (ML), mount frequency (MF), ejaculation latency (EL), post-ejaculation latency (PEL), number of mount within 30 min (MF(30)) and number of ejaculation (NEL) were assessed by a video camera, and fertility was tested by natural mating. Results showed that KD had no effect on the weights of reproductive organs, liver, kidneys and levator ani muscle. On the other hand, the weights of epididymis, seminal vesicles, prostate gland and levator ani muscle were significantly increased in the Ex and Ex+KD70 groups. ML and EL were shortened in all treatment groups, but PEL was decreased only in KP70 group. Only Ex and Ex + KD70 groups exhibited lower MF and higher NEL whilst MF(30) were not changed in all groups. None of the treatments altered male fertility. It is concluded that KD enhanced sexual motivation whereas exercise training promoted both sexual motivation and performance.

Effects of Kaempferia parviflora extracts on reproductive parameters and spermatic blood flow in male rats.

Krachaidum (KD, Kaempferia parviflora Wall. Ex. Baker), a native plant of Southeast Asia, is traditionally used to enhance male sexual function. However, only few scientific data in support of this anecdote have been reported. The present study investigated the effects of feeding three different extracts of KD (alcohol, hexane, and water extracts) for 3-5 weeks on the reproductive organs, the aphrodisiac activity, fertility, sperm motility, and blood flow to the testis of male rats. Sexual performances (mount latency, mount frequency, ejaculatory latency, post-ejaculatory latency) and sperm motility were assessed by a video camera and computer-assisted sperm analysis respectively, while blood flow to the testis was measured by a directional pulsed Doppler flowmeter. The results showed that all extracts of KD had virtually no effect on the reproductive organ weights even after 5 weeks. However, administration of the alcohol extract at a dose of 70 mg/kg body weight (BW)/day for 4 weeks significantly decreased mount and ejaculatory latencies when compared with the control. By contrast, hexane and water extracts had no influence on any sexual behavior parameters. All types of extracts of KD had no effect on fertility or sperm motility. On the other hand, alcohol extract produced a significant increase in blood flow to the testis without affecting the heart rate and mean arterial blood pressure. In a separate study, an acute effect of alcohol extract of KD on blood flow to the testis was investigated. Intravenous injection of KD at doses of 10, 20, and 40 mg/kg BW caused dose-dependent increases in blood flow to the testis. The results indicate that alcohol extract of KD had an aphrodisiac activity probably via a marked increase in blood flow to the testis.

Concerning the pectoralis major in active reaching exercise.

This study was designed to address an active reaching exercise on the purpose of determining the individual and interaction effects of reaching directions, assistance conditions and the muscles. The activity of the muscles, the Serratus Anterior and Pectoralis Major, in 20 healthy male subjects was recorded in parallel by surface electrode of electromyography. Four conditions of reaching, upward reaching in shoulder flexion 90(0) and sideward reaching in shoulder abduction 90(0) with and without arm support were tested. The results showed a significant decrease in the muscle activity in the sideward reaching when compared with the upward addition to with arm support when compared with without arm support. The Pectoralis Major was significantly less activated than the Serratus Anterior. There was a significant decrease in the Pectoralis Major and Serratus Anterior activation during sideward reaching when compared with the upward. Furthermore, Pectoralis Major and Serratus Anterior muscles during reaching with arm support were less activated than without the support. The interaction between reaching directions, assistance conditions and muscles revealed that the least activation for Pectoralis Major muscle was the sideward reaching with arm support whilst for Serratus Anterior was the sideward reaching with and without arm support. It is suggested that in clinical application, particularly in the spastic Pectoralis Major muscle patients, an active reaching exercise should be first done in the sideward direction with support.