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

Abstract

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 offeeding 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, postejaculatory 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.

Possible mechanisms of vasorelaxation for 5,7‐dimethoxyflavone from Kaempferia parviflora in the rat aorta

“…For example, Wattanapitayakul et al (2008) have shown that KPE inhibits contractions to phenylephrine in the rat aorta. A previous study by Chaturapanich et al (2008) has demonstrated that blood fl ow to the testes is increased after long-term treatment of KPE in male rats. Recently, a study by our group has shown that KPE induces vasorelaxation in the rat isolated aorta (Tep-areenan et al, 2010).…”

“…In addition, relaxant responses to DMF are largely due to opening of K + channels and inhibition of extracellular Ca 2+ infl ux. Previous studies have reported the vasorelaxant effects of KPE (Wattanapitayakul et al, 2008;Chaturapanich et al, 2008). For example, Wattanapitayakul et al (2008) have shown that KPE inhibits contractions to phenylephrine in the rat aorta.…”

“…In respect of its cardiovascular actions, KPE inhibits phenylephrine-induced contractile responses of the rat aorta (Wattanapitayakul et al, 2008) and also increases nitric oxide production in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC, Wattanapitayakul et al, 2007). In addition, long-term treatment with KPE in male rats increases blood fl ow to the testes (Chaturapanich et al, 2008). A recent study has demonstrated that KPE induced vasorelaxation in rat isolated aortic rings (Tep-areenan et al, 2010).…”

Pharmacokinetics, Bioavailability, Tissue Distribution, Excretion, and Metabolite Identification of Methoxyflavones in Kaempferia parviflora Extract in Rats

“…Its rhizome has been used in folk medicine reportedly for health promotion and stimulation. Several pharmacological responses to KP and its components have been claimed, including aphrodisiac (Sudwan et al, 2006;Wattanapitayakul et al, 2007;Chaturapanich et al, 2008;Wattanathorn et al, 2012), antipeptic ulcer (Rujjanawate et al, 2005), anti-inflammatory Sae-wong et al, 2009;Nakao et al, 2011), antiallergenic , antimutagenic (Azuma et al, 2011), antidepressive (Wattanathorn et al, 2007), antimicrobial (Yenjai et al, 2004Kummee et al, 2008), anticholinesterase (Sawasdee et al, 2009), anticancer (Wen et al, 2005;Banjerdpongchai et al, 2008;Leardkamolkarn et al, 2009;Wudtiwai et al, 2011), cardioprotective (Tep-areenan et al, 2010;Malakul et al, 2011a,b), and antiobesity activity (Akase et al, 2011). In addition, inhibition of P-glycoprotein function and multidrug resistance-associated protein by KP have been demonstrated (Patanasethanont et al, 2007a,b).…”

Supercritical CO2 for efficient extraction of polymethoxyflavones in Kaempferia parviflora

“…Krachaidum has been used as a traditional herbal medicine for the treatment of various illnesses, including gastrointestinal disorders, gout, allergy, and apthous ulcer [Saralamp et al, 1996]. Interestingly, krachaidum also has been used as an aphrodisiac herb, because it enhances male sexual function [Chaturapanich et al, 2008]. Recently, biological activities of krachaidum have been studied and polymethoxyflavones (PMFs) were identified as major compounds by Yenjai et al [2004].…”