Influence of lemon (Citrus limon) and lime (Citrus aurantifolia) juices on the erectogenic properties of sildenafil in rats with L-NAME-induced erectile dysfunction

The Use of D-Optimal Mixture Design in Optimizing Formulation of a Nutraceutical Hard Candy

The aim of this study was to optimize the formulation of hard candy with antiviral herbal extracts and flowered with Citrus limon peel essential oils. To substitute water fraction, the D-optimal mixture design was used. The optimized mixture fractions of the best hard candy formulation contain Curcuma longa extract (10%), Artemisia herba-alba Asso extract (3.33%), Glycyrrhiza glabra extract (1.66%), and Zingiber officinale extract (1.66%) and flowered by 20 μL/100 gram of Citrus limon essential oils. The effect of the addition had been investigated on the sensory, physicochemical, and phytochemical of the hard candy according to the optimal formulation. The main component of Citrus limon essential oil is limonene (52.47%), which has a pleasant lemon fragrance. The mixture of herbal extract added increased the total phenols, the flavonoid, and the ash content of the formulated hard candy ( $10.90\pm 0.50$  mg GAE/g, $0.054\pm 0.02$  mg CE/g, and $0.018\pm 0.009$ , respectively). The measurement of the DPPH free radical activity reveals a good antioxidant activity (26.4%). Furthermore, the sensory analysis has shown a good appreciation. Thus, formulated hard candy is a sensorially and therapeutically interesting product.

Plantain peels restore sexual performance, hormonal imbalance, and modulate nitric oxide production and key enzymes of penile function in paroxetine-sexually impaired male rats

This study focused on the effect of unripe (UPP) and ripe (RPP) plantain peels' extracts (200 and 400 mg/kg) on sexual behavior, hormonal profiles [testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH)], and enzymes [acetylcholinesterase (AChE), phosphodiesterase-5' (PDE-5), arginase, angiotensin-I converting enzyme (ACE), ecto-5'neucleotidase, and adenosine deaminase (ADA)] in paroxetine (PAR)-induced penile dysfunction rats. From the result, arginase, PDE-5', ACE, ecto-5'-nucleotidase ADA, and AChE activities, sexual activities, hormonal profile, and NO level were reduced, while thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBARS) level increased (p < .05) relative to normal control rats. However, treatment with UPP and URP reduced the activities of these enzymes, decreased TBARS levels, and increased hormones, and penile NO levels in PAR-induced rats. Thus, the use of UPP and RPP could be channeled towards the improvement of sexual performance in erectile dysfunction (ED) disorder. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Plantain fruits are a tropical staple food crop commonly consumed at various stages of ripeness and cooking methods. However, its peels are regarded as a waste product with reported cases of environmental menace. Interestingly, plantain peel is being used as a major raw material for industrial applications in the agro-based industries and in folklore for the treatment of many human ailments due to its rich phytochemicals such as polyphenols, carotenoids, alkaloids, etc., which have been reported. A prelude study has also indicated its usefulness in ED management, but further pharmacological investigations are needed to proffer information on its effect in ED management and its anti-androgenic activity in male Wistar rats. The information from this study could be of pharmaceutical importance in designing natural remedies capable of improving penile rigidity, hormone profiles, and alteration of enzymes linked with ED.