Pharmacological insights on the antidepressant, anxiolytic and aphrodisiac potentials of Aglaonema hookerianum Schott.

Introduction. Withania somnifera (WS) also known as ashwagandha is a well-known medicinal plant used in traditional medicine in many countries for infertility treatment. The present study was aimed at systemically reviewing therapeutic effects of WS on the reproductive system. Methods. This systematic review study was designed in 2016. Required data were obtained from PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library, Science Direct, Web of Knowledge, Web of Science, and manual search of articles, grey literature, reference checking, and expert contact. Results. WS was found to improve reproductive system function by many ways. WS extract decreased infertility among male subjects, due to the enhancement in semen quality which is proposed due to the enhanced enzymatic activity in seminal plasma and decreasing oxidative stress. Also, WS extract improved luteinizing hormone and follicular stimulating hormone balance leading to folliculogenesis and increased gonadal weight, although some animal studies had concluded that WS had reversible spermicidal and infertilizing effects in male subjects. Conclusion. WS was found to enhance spermatogenesis and sperm related indices in male and sexual behaviors in female. But, according to some available evidences for spermicidal features, further studies should focus on the extract preparation method and also dosage used in their study protocols.

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Effects of Withania somnifera on Reproductive System: A Systematic Review of the Available Evidence

Context: Asparagus adscendens Roxb (Liliaceae) has a promising role in modulation of various disorders such as leucorrhea, diarrhea, dysentery, diabetes, senile pruritus, asthma, fatigue antifilarial, antifungal, spermatorrhea, and sexual debility/seminal weakness.Objective: To investigate dose-dependent effects of Asparagus adscendens root (AARR) extract on anabolic, reproductive, and sexual behavioral activities with a view to emphasize the pharmacological basis.Materials and methods: Rats were divided into five groups: Group I (control), Groups II–IV (AARR treated, 100, 200, and 300 mg/kg body weight, respectively, orally for 30 d) and Group V (standard control treated with sildenafil citrate, 5 mg/kg body weight). On day 31, copulatory and potency tests were carried out and an autopsy was done to study the reproductive function, namely, organ weights, spermatogenesis, daily sperm production rate (DSP), and epididymal sperm counts (ESC).Results: AARR extract (200 and 300 mg/kg doses) caused a s...

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.3109/13880209.2014.913295

Dose-dependent effects of Asparagus adscendens root (AARR) extract on the anabolic, reproductive, and sexual behavioral activity in rats.

Increase in male sexual dysfunction, and its treatment with conventional aphrodisiac drugs with side effects lead to investigate the spermatogenesis and androgenesis augmentative efficacy of hydromethanolic (40 : 60) extract of root of Chlorophytum borivilianum (family - Liliaceae) against cyproterone acetate-induced subfertility in Wistar strain male albino rat. For this purpose, experimental rats were divided into three treatment groups: vehicle (received distilled water), cyproterone acetate (gastric intubation at 250 mg kg(-1) twice daily for 35 days) and cyproterone acetate plus root extract of C. borivilianum (gastric intubation at 250 mg kg(-1) plus 400 mg kg(-1) with an interval of 20 min twice daily for 35 days). After 35-day treatment, all rats were euthanised. Reproductive deviations towards negative side were investigated by screening the spermatogenic and steroidogenic biosensors. Oxidative stress profile in reproductive organs and sperm pellet was evaluated by biochemical assessment of antioxidative enzyme activities and level of end products of the lipid peroxidation. Apoptosis profile was evaluated by Western blot study, TUNEL assay and DNA fragmentation study of testicular tissues. Evaluation of toxicity profile was included for experimental investigation. After cyproterone acetate treatment, the pituitary-testicular axis was deviated towards the negative side and its tuning system was affected by oxidative stress and apoptosis-mediated process, which reduced the quality of semen and finally led to subfertility. Co-administration of C. borivilianum root extract enhanced male reproductive potentiality and prevented the negative deviations after the treatment with cyproterone acetate by means of increasing oxidative defence and maintaining homeostasis in testicular apoptosis process.

Bioefficacy of hydromethanolic extract of tuber of Chlorophytum borivilianum (Safed Musli) for the management of male infertility in cyproterone acetate-treated albino rats.

Abutilon Miller is a genus belonging to family Malvaceae comprises about 150 species. The plants of this genus are annual or perennial herbs, shrubs or even small trees. It is native to the tropical and subtropical countries of America, Africa, Asia and Australia. The genus has a significant importance, which is attributed to valuable insoluble fibers obtained from different species of the genus such as Abutilon theophrastii and also due to several species grown as garden ornamental plants such as A. ochsenii and A. vitifolium. Reviewing the available literature on genus Abutilon revealed the presence of a diversity of secondary metabolites such as flavonoids, phenolic acids, sterols, triterpenes, quinones, coumarins, alkaloids, sphingolipids, megastigmanes, iridoids and others, which are responsible for its biological activities such as anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antipyretic, hepatoprotective, antioxidant, anti-hyperglycemic, gastroprotective, cytotoxic, antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral, anthelmintic, anti-malarial, anti-leishmanial, CNS activty, anti-stress, immunostimulant, anti-venom, anti-hyperlipidemic, anti-hypertensive, aphrodisiac, abortifacient, antidiarrhoeal, diuretic, anti-urolithiatic, and wound healing activities.

https://jabps.journals.ekb.eg/article_14982_1760dd3fc8057bfb4ea5a2fe65473316.pdf

Phytochemistry and pharmacological activities of genus Abutilon: a review (1972-2015)

Vajikaran Chikitsa is the branch of Ashtanga Ayurveda, which deals with all types of physical and psychological sexual problems like impotence, libido, poor erection, and early ejaculation in males. The WHO estimated that the usage of traditional medicine in developing countries is 80% and suggested a need for further exploration of the natural aphrodisiacs for the mechanism of action. Considering the prevalence of the sexual dysfunctioning in the society, side effects with the conventional aphrodisiac drugs, the study was planned to evaluate some Ayurvedic plants like Abutilon indicum and Withania somnifera for the aphrodisiac potential. An attempt was also made to elucidate the possible mechanism of action of these plants for their use in Vagikarana chikitsa. From the present study, it could be concluded that A. indicum and W. somnifera both possessed marked aphrodisiac activity complying many facets such as enhancement in libido, increase in the sexual performance, penile erection and anabolism, increased spermatogenesis as well as sperm validity. Study results pointed out the place of these drugs in the Vajikarana Chikitsa. A. indicum would be useful in management of erectile dysfunction as it had shown to relax penile cavernosal tissue probably by phosphodiesterase inhibition and cGMP accumulation.

Mithilesh Rangari

Papers

Pharmacological evaluation of ayurvedic plants for aphrodisiac activity in experimental animals.