An experimental study of sexual function improving effect of Myristica fragrans Houtt. (nutmeg)

Abstract

BackgroundMyristica fragrans Houtt. (nutmeg) has been mentioned in Unani medicine to be of value in the management of male sexual disorders. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the aphrodisiac effect of 50% ethanolic extract of nutmeg along with its likely adverse effects and acute toxicity using various animal models.MethodsThe suspension of the extract was administered (100, 250 and 500 mg/kg, p.o.) to different groups of male rats daily for seven days. The female rats involved in mating were made receptive by hormonal treatment. The general mating behaviour, libido and potency were studied and compared with the standard reference drug sildenafil citrate. Likely adverse effects and acute toxicity of the extract were also evaluated.ResultsOral administration of the extract at the dose of 500 mg/kg, produced significant augmentation of sexual activity in male rats. It significantly increased the Mounting Frequency, Intromission Frequency, Intromission Latency and caused significant reduction in the Mounting Latency and Post Ejaculatory Interval. It also significantly increased Mounting Frequency with penile anaesthetisation as well as Erections, Quick Flips, Long Flips and the aggregate of penile reflexes with penile stimulation. The extract was also observed to be devoid of any adverse effects and acute toxicity.ConclusionThe resultant significant and sustained increase in the sexual activity of normal male rats without any conspicuous adverse effects indicates that the 50% ethanolic extract of nutmeg possesses aphrodisiac activity, increasing both libido and potency, which might be attributed to its nervous stimulating property. The present study thus provides a scientific rationale for the traditional use of nutmeg in the management of male sexual disorders.

Plant Extracts and Plant-Derived Compounds: Promising Players in Countermeasure Strategy Against Radiological Exposure: A Review

“…(Family: Myristicaceae) have been reported to possess various beneficial properties including anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective and anticancer activities (Morita et al, 2003;Eklund et al, 2005;Tajuddin et al, 2005;Chirathaworn et al, 2007;Piaru et al, 2012;Zhang et al, 2012;Thuong et al, 2013). In the antioxidant study , 10 mg/kg b.w.…”

The effects of sphenocentrum jollyanum Pierre root extract on sexual behaviourand hormonal levels in rodents

“…To quantify mounting behaviour, experiments were designed as described by Lawler (1984) to measure the libido of the male mice (Taha et al, 1995;Tajuddin et al, 2005). Mount is operationally defined as the male assuming the copulatory position but failing to intromit and an attempted mount defined as incompetent mounts in which the orientation is wrong, such as mounts of the female's head or side.…”

“…This experiment measures the enhancement of sexual performance by the extract (Taha et al, 1995;Tajuddin et al, 2005). Healthy and sexually-experienced male mice were selected for the study.…”

ABSENCE OF VISIBLE TOXIC EFFECTS ACCOMPANYING THE SHORT-TERM ADMINISTRATION OF AN AQUEOUS EXTRACT OF <i>ALLIUM SATIVA</i> LINN. IN MALE SPRAGUE-DAWLEY RATS

“…Aphrodisiacs on the other hand are medications that are used to arouse sexual desires or stimulate sexual excitement and enhance sexual performance while Libido Science Publications AJPT refers to the sexual urge or the intensity of sexual desires as may be experienced by both sexes (Tajuddin et al, 2005;Ratnasooriya and Dharmasiri, 2000). Herbal preparations have proved to be very beneficial in the management of sexual disorders (Sudwan et al, 2006) probably because they are readily available at minimal or no cost and presumed absence of side effects.…”

“…Herbal preparations have proved to be very beneficial in the management of sexual disorders (Sudwan et al, 2006) probably because they are readily available at minimal or no cost and presumed absence of side effects. For example various plants used for the management of erectile dysfunction and as aphrodisiacs like Moringa oleifera (Prabsattroo et al, 2012), Kaempferia parviflora (Wannanon et al, 2012), (Alpinia calcarata (Ratnasooriya and Jayakodi, 2006), Vanda tessellata (Suresh et al, 2000) and Myristica fragrans (Tajuddin et al, 2005) have been found to be non-toxic in rodents.…”