Aphrodisiac properties of aqueous roots extract of Pycnocoma macrophylla Benth (Euphorbiaceae) in male rats

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a real health problem for men worldwide. This work investigated the effects of aqueous roots extract of Pycnocoma macrophylla (Euphorbiaceae) on sexual behavior in rats. Twentyfive adults’ rats divided into five groups were treated orally for fourteen days with distilled water (5 ml/kg, control), sildenafil citrate (5 mg/kg) and the aqueous extract of P. macrophylla (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg b.w) respectively. Sexual behavior parameters such as mount latency (ML), intromission latency (IL), ejaculation latency (EL), post-ejaculatory intervals (PEI), mount frequency (MF), intromission frequency (IF), ejaculation frequency (EF) and mean interval of copulation (MIC) were evaluated in treated animals mated with receptive female at days 1, 7 and 14 of treatment. At day 14, serum testosterone was measured. The results indicated that, the aqueous extract of P. macrophylla and especially the dose of 200 mg/kg significantly (p<0.01-0.001) decreased mount and intromission latencies as well as the post-ejaculatory interval on day 14 compared to the control and initial values (day1) respectively while this extract significantly (p<0.01-0.001) increased the frequencies of mounts intromissions and ejaculations, and the mean intervals of copulation. Moreover, serum testosterone significantly (p<0.05) increased in rats treated with P. macrophylla (200 mg/kg b.w) when compared to the control. P. macrophylla possess pro-sexual and aphrodisiac effects in relation with the androgenic potential of particular bioactive components present in the aqueous root extract of plant. These outcomes could be applied for the management of sexual debilities in patients.