Development and evaluation of aphrodisiac potential of a classical ayurvedic formulation, ‘Kaamdev ghrita’ in rat model

Abstract

Background Ghee is widely considered as the Indian name for clarified butterfat and processing of ghee with therapeutic herbs i.e. ghrita is renowned for augmenting their medicinal properties. Kaamdev ghrita (also known as ‘ Vajikaran a Rasayana’ ) is cow ghee based classical Ayurvedic formulation from the aphrodisiac category, which is used to ameliorate and potentiate sexual performance and also in the treatment of sexual dysfunctions, infertility, and premature ejaculation. Objective Present research work deals with the organoleptic, physicochemical, and biological assessment of Kaamdev ghrita for its aphrodisiac activity using in-vivo animal models. Material and methods Kaamdev ghrita was prepared using Indian cow’s ghee as per standard Ayurvedic classical texts and subjected to organoleptic (color, odor, taste, texture, touch), physicochemical (acid value, peroxide value, iodine value, saponification value, unsaponifiable matter, extractive values, refractive index, and specific gravity) analyses as per the standard pharmacopeial procedures. The aphrodisiac potential of ghrita in rat model was evaluated by monitoring sexual behavioral performance using different parameters (mount frequency and latency, intromission frequency and latency, anogenital grooming and sniffing) at the dose of 150 and 300 mg/kg body weight. Results The physicochemical evaluation of Kaamdev ghrita showed higher acid value, iodine value, refractive index, and specific gravity whereas the lower saponification and peroxide value than the plain ghee . Kaamdev ghrita revealed the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins, sterols, terpenoids, coumarins, tannins, and showed remarkable antioxidant activity by in-vitro assays. It augmented the sexual performance in a dose-dependent manner as indicated by significant improvement (P < 0.05) in mount frequency and latency, intromission frequency and latency, anogenital grooming, and sniffing as compared to plain ghee treated control group. The present investigation has corroborated the ethnopharmacological claim of Kaamdev ghrita for its aphrodisiac potential. Conclusion Kaamdev ghrita exhibited aphrodisiac activity which may be attributed to the presence of antioxidant herbs present in it. It is the first scientific report on validation of the traditional claim of Kaamdev ghrita for its aphrodisiac potential.

Effect of “Murcchana samskara” on therapeutic efficacy of Bhallatakadi Ghrita

“…The comparions between groups were conducted using one-way ANOVA and Dunnett's t-test. Multiple comparisons with control were adopted to determine the statistical significance ( p < 0.05) between groups [ 7 , 11 ].…”

“…The ‘ Murcchana samskara,’ i.e., the process of use of ‘Murcchita’ ghee (prepared by incorporating antioxidant herbs) before ‘ghrita-paka kalpana’ ensures better shelf life, improved acceptability, and therapeutic efficacy of ghrita formulation. The wound healing potential of BG [ 5 ] and the role of ‘ Murcchana samskara ’ on the shelf life and oxidative stability of ghrita preparations is reported [ [4] , [5] , [6] , [7] ]. Hence, the present study aimed to evaluate the effect of the ‘ Murcchana’ process on the wound healing potential of BG using excision and incision animal models.…”

Panchgavya: A precious gift to humankind

“…For example, Brahmi ghrita for cognitive function; Vasa ghrita for the respiratory system; Shatadhauta ghrita for skin diseases, Bhallatakadi ghrita for wound healing and Kaamdev ghrita for sexual disorders, etc. [ [35] , [36] , [37] , [38] ]., Saleem et al. have performed molecular characterization studies on desi ghee.…”

“…The health benefits of cow ghee are memory enhancement, lowering bad cholesterol, preventing skin and cardiovascular diseases, promoting skin health, maintaining the digestion process, generating energy, purifying the blood, protecting the liver, etc. [ 35 ]. Ghee has demonstrated various medicinal properties such as anti-inflammatory, antineoplastic, vision enhancing, and fasten wound healing [ 40 , 41 ].…”

“…Cow urine or its distillate is known to have several health benefits to improve the quality of life and prolong survival rates in patients with severe diseases [ 42 ]. When the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), India, and other scientists in India demonstrated antineoplastic, anti-fungal, antibiotic, and bio-enhancing effects of cow urine distillate, the modern world started to believe in the medicinal properties of cow urine [ 35 , 43 ]. A wide range of medicinal uses of cow urine is already in the public domain, but scientific data is minimal to support its consumption.…”