The effect of tardalafil on the aphrodisiac properties of <i>Allium sativum</i> and <i>Allium cepa</i> using behavioural models in rats

Abstract

Erectile dysfunction is a common type of male sexual dysfunctions that affects more than 40% of men above 40 years of age; aphrodisiacs obtained from plants have been suggested to be used to address this health problem. Allium cepa and Allium sativum have been folklorically reported to have aphrodisiac activities therefore the aphrodisiac activity of the aqueous extract of the two plants were evaluated using sexual parameters of mount frequency, anogenital sniffing, genital grooming, chasing of the female rat by the male rat and mount latency. Acute toxicity was carried out according to Lorke’s method using the oral route of administration. Sexual behavioural parameters of mount latency, mount frequency, anogenital sniffing, chasing of the female animals, genital grooming were recorded in male rats one hour after oral administration of the extract by mating with a receptive female (1:1) for an observatory period of 1 hour. These aphrodisiac parameters were evaluated in doses of 100, 300, and 500 mg/kg for each extract. This was compared with that of tardalafil (5 mg/kg) which served as positive control. Extract administration was done through the oral route. Statistical analysis was carried out using one way ANOVA test. The comparison of means between the controls and each experimental group was done using Graph pad (multiple comparison post-test: Dunnett). P<0.05 was regarded as significant. Acute toxicity showed the lethal dose of Allium cepa and Allium sativum to be above 5000 mg/kg. Allium cepa and Allium sativum showed a dose dependent effect on the sexual behaviours studied. A combination of Allium cepa and Allium sativum with tardalafil
showed no significant difference when compared with tardalafil alone. Thus, the two observations propose that there are optimum doses of the plants required for their optimum aphrodisiac activities.

Keywords: Aphrodisiac, Alium cepa, Alium sativum, Tardalafil and Sexual-behaviour