Evaluation of aphrodisiac properties of the aqueous extract of the trunk barks of Spathodea campanulata P. Beauv. (Bignoniaceae) on albino rats (Rattus norvegicus)

Abstract

Spathodea campanulata P. Beauvois (Bignoniaceae) is a tree from the tropical and subtropical forests of Africa, used in folk medicine for the treatment of several diseases such as gastric pain, rheumatism, lumbago, cataracts and some intestinal parasites. In West Cameroon, traditional healers use a decoction of the bark of the trunk as an aphrodisiac in males. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the aphrodisiac activity of the aqueous extract of the trunk barks of S. campanulata in male rats. The male rats were divided into five lots: A, B, C, D and E of six animals each. Lot A received 5 ml/kg of distilled water daily for 8 days (negative control). Lot B received 5 mg/kg of Sildenafil Citrate (Viagra®) daily for 8 days (positive control). Lots C, D and E received 200, 400 and 800 mg/kg, respectively of the aqueous extract of the trunk barks of S. campanulata daily for 8 days. On the first, fourth and eighth day of administration, the copulatory parameters were observed and recorded. The extract induced an increase in erectile function stimulation through the significant increase (p<0.001) in the number of erections, the frequency of mount and a decrease in mount latency, reflecting an increase in sexual stimulation; an increase in the frequency of intromission (p<0.001) and a decrease in intromission latency, reflecting a stimulation of sexual performance. There was also an increase in ejaculation frequency and ejaculation latency (p<0.001). These results indicate a pro-ejaculatory aphrodisiac potential of the aqueous extract of the trunk barks of S. campanulata in male rats and would justify the empirical use of this plant in the treatment of erectile dysfunction in humans, in traditional medicine.

Spathodea campanulata P. Beauv. —A review of its ethnomedicinal, phytochemical, and pharmacological profile

“…Furthermore, there was an increase in the weight of certain androgen-dependent organs: the prostate (7.70%), the testes (11.20%), and penis (31.81%). These results validated the androgenic potential of S. campanulata and backing the use of S. campanulata trunk bark in the treatment of erectile dysfunction (Talla et al, 2021).…”

“…It also reduced glycemia (29%) in alloxan-induced diabetes mellitus rats with the 400 mg/kg dose in the acute phase. The multiple dose treatment with the extract led to the decrease in alloxan-induced hyperglycemia at the end of the 18th day (Tanayen et al, 2014). The methanolic extracts of the flowering branch and bark were screened for their antidiabetic activity in mice at a dose of 500 mg/kg bw.…”

Androgenic Properties and Subchronic Toxicity of the Aqueous Extract of Pycnanthus angolensis (Welw.) Warb. Wood (Myristicaceae)

“…The study of medicinal plants as potential agents for regulating androgen release and improving male health is therefore highly important. Indeed, several plants such as Spathodea Campanulata and Ficus asperifolia are used for their androgenic properties [4,6]. However, despite their multiple benefits, previous studies have reported that plants are the cause of 3-5% of reported poisonings in previous studies, 17% of which were associated with fatal events [7].…”