In vitro and in vivo aphrodisiac properties of the seed extract from Allium tuberosum on corpus cavernosum smooth muscle relaxation and sexual behavior parameters in male Wistar rats

Sexual dysfunction in dichlorvos-exposed male Wistar rat is ameliorated by curcumin and associated with the upregulation of testosterone

Dichlorvos is an organophosphate pesticide that is commonly used for agricultural and domestic control of pests and insects. Despite its usefulness, it exerts reproductive toxicity and induces male sexual dysfunction. On the other hand, curcumin has been reported to improve sexual dysfunction. However, till date, no study has reported the impact of curcumin on dichlorvos-induced sexual dysfunction. This study investigated the effect and associated mechanism of curcumin on dichlorvos-induced sexual dysfunction. Thirty-two male Wistar rats were randomized into four groups; the control (1 mL of olive oil), curcumin-treated (100 mg/kg), DDVP-treated (98.54 g/m3 of dichlorvos by inhalation), and DDVP + Curcumin-treated. Dichlorvos induced sexual dysfunction as depicted by reduced motivation to mate (8.38 ± 0.18 vs. 4.00 ± 0.33, P < 0.0001), prolonged latencies (46.63 ± 1.30 vs. 98.75 ± 1.32, P < 0.0001) and reduced frequencies of mount (14.88 ± 0.52 vs. 8.63 ± 0.38), intromission (9.38 ± 0.50 vs. 3.75 ± 0.31, P < 0.0001), and ejaculation (7.63 ± 0.38 vs. 1.50 ± 0.19, P < 0.0001). These findings were accompanied by suppression of hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis, evidenced by marked reductions in circulating FSH (60.00 ± 1.04 vs. 21.13 ± 0.52, P < 0.0001), LH (46.38 ± 1.38 vs. 19.00 ± 0.46, P < 0.0001), and testosterone (6.01 ± 0.50 vs. 0.74 ± 0.05, P < 0.0001). Nonetheless, the administration of curcumin in dichlorvos-exposed rats significantly attenuated dichlorvos-induced sexual dysfunction by improving the assessed indices of male sexual act. Also, curcumin significantly increased serum levels of FSH (21.13 ± 0.52 vs. 47.25 ± 0.10, P < 0.0001), LH (19.00 ± 0.46 vs. 43.00 ± 1.49), and testosterone (0.74 ± 0.05 vs. 3.98 ± 0.08, P < 0.0001). This study revealed that curcumin attenuated dichlorvos-induced sexual dysfunction by activating the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis and upregulating circulating testosterone.

Clinical characteristics and treatment compounds of obesity-related kidney injury

Disorders in energy homeostasis can lead to various metabolic diseases, particularly obesity. The obesity epidemic has led to an increased incidence of obesity-related nephropathy (ORN), a distinct entity characterized by proteinuria, glomerulomegaly, progressive glomerulosclerosis, and renal function decline. Obesity and its associated renal damage are common in clinical practice, and their incidence is increasing and attracting great attention. There is a great need to identify safe and effective therapeutic modalities, and therapeutics using chemical compounds and natural products are receiving increasing attention. However, the summary is lacking about the specific effects and mechanisms of action of compounds in the treatment of ORN. In this review, we summarize the important clinical features and compound treatment strategies for obesity and obesity-induced kidney injury. We also summarize the pathologic and clinical features of ORN as well as its pathogenesis and potential therapeutics targeting renal inflammation, oxidative stress, insulin resistance, fibrosis, kidney lipid accumulation, and dysregulated autophagy. In addition, detailed information on natural and synthetic compounds used for the treatment of obesity-related kidney disease is summarized. The synthesis of detailed information aims to contribute to a deeper understanding of the clinical treatment modalities for obesity-related kidney diseases, fostering the anticipation of novel insights in this domain.

Extract of Pfaffia glomerata Ameliorates Paroxetine-Induced Sexual Dysfunction in Male Mice and the Characterization of Its Phytoconstituents by UPLC-MS

Pfaffia glomerata extract (PGE) has a variety of biological activities. However, its ameliorative effect on and exact working mechanism in male sexual dysfunction are still poorly understood. This study aims to evaluate the ameliorative effect of PGE on paroxetine (PRX)-induced sexual dysfunction in male mice and uses molecular docking technology to investigate its underlying mechanism. In this work, PRX-induced sexual dysfunction was caused and PGE was gavaged in mice for 28 days. The results show that PGE significantly improved the sexual performance of mice and reduced the damage to testicular tissues. Further studies showed that PGE restored serum sex hormones to normal levels and increased nitric oxide (NO) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) levels as well as nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity in penile tissues, while also decreasing phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) activity, thereby maintaining normal penile erection in mice. In addition, PGE improved the activities of enzymes (LDH, ACP, and ALP) related to energy metabolism in the testis and significantly increased sperm count and viability in mice. Furthermore, the molecular docking results show that all eight compounds in PGE could form a stable complex with PDE-5 and inhibit the activity of PDE-5. In conclusion, PGE had an ameliorative effect on PRX-induced sexual dysfunction, suggesting that PGE has a potential protective effect on male sexual health.

Ethnological validation of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera L. Dunal) ghrita as 'Vajikarana Rasayana': In-silico, in-vitro and in-vivoapproach

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Processing cow ghee (clarified butterfat) with therapeutic herbs, i.e. ghrita, is recognized for augmenting the therapeutic efficacy of plant materials. Ashwagandha ghrita (AG) is an effective Ayurvedic formulation consisting of Indian ginseng, i.e., Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal, the main constituent used to treat infertility, weakness, gynaecological disorders, and general debility.

OBJECTIVES

The present investigation was undertaken to corroborate the ethnopharmacological claim of AG as 'Vajikarana Rasayana' for its aphrodisiac potential using bioinformatics (in-silico) and experimental (in-vitro and in-vivo) approaches.

METHODS

AG was formulated as per the methods reported in Ayurved sarsangraha. AG was further subjected to HPLC, GCMS analysis, and biological (acute toxicity and aphrodisiac) assessment per the standard procedures. Thirty-eight bioactives of Indian ginseng were subjected to computational studies (molecular docking and network pharmacology) to confirm the plausible mechanism.

RESULTS

AG was found to be safe up to 2000 mg/kg body wt., and it showed dose-dependent upsurge (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05, wherever necessary) in mount and intromission frequency, genital grooming, and anogenital sniffing at 150 and 300 mg/kg body weight suggesting aphrodisiac activity. In-vitro studies demonstrated significant relaxation of the Corpus Cavernosal Smooth Muscle at all concentrations in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, the results of molecular modelling studies were in agreement with the biological activity and showed interaction with phosphodiesterase-5 as a possible target.

CONCLUSION

AG exhibited an aphrodisiac effect and substantiated the traditional claim of Indian ginseng-based ghrita formulation as 'Vajikarana Rasayana'.

The Profertility and Aphrodisiac Activities of Tribulus terrestris L.: Evidence from Meta-Analyses

Tribulus terrestris L. (TT) is a traditional medicinal plant, which belongs to the Zygophyllaceae family. TT extracts have been widely used for diuretic, analeptic, aphrodisiac, and profertility properties. To quantitatively evaluate the profertility and aphrodisiac effects of Tribulus terrestris L., we undertook the present meta-analyses on published data. A thorough literature screening was performed to identify articles evaluating the effect of TT on spermatogenesis, male fertility, reproductive, and aphrodisiac parameters. We shortlisted 30 relevant studies conducted on humans and rodents. Meta-analyses were conducted to evaluate the quantitative impact of TT on various fertility parameters. In case of humans, the pooled analysis on 133 subjects showed significant improvements in sperm concentration ( $\text{SDM}=0.624$ , 95% $\text{CI}=0.13$ to 1.117, $p=0.013$ ) and sperm motility ( $\text{SDM}=0.742$ , 95% $\text{CI}=0.331$ to 1.152, $p=0.001$ ). TT resulted in nonsignificant increases in testosterone and LH and a nonsignificant decrease in FSH. Similar to the above, TT improved sperm count, sperm motility, and sperm viability in rodents with normal or compromised fertility. The effect on hormone levels was less credible with frequent variations across studies and animal models. The aphrodisiac activity was studied in castrated animal models or normal rodents, both of which showed significant improvements in mounting frequency and intromission frequency and significant declines in mounting latency and intromission latency. These meta-analyses suggested that TT possesses profertility and aphrodisiac activities.

Effects of Preharvest Methyl Jasmonate and Salicylic Acid Treatments on Growth, Quality, Volatile Components, and Antioxidant Systems of Chinese Chives

Methyl jasmonate (MeJA) and salicylic acid (SA) regulate the production of biologically active compounds in plants and stimulate the accumulation of plant aromatic substances. However, the underlying mechanisms of how MeJA and SA influence characteristic flavor compounds and the antioxidant activity of vegetables are poorly understood. Five MeJA and SA concentrations were used to investigate the dose-dependent effects of these phytohormones on the dry and fresh weight; chlorophyll abundance; the contents of vitamin C, soluble protein, and sugar, nitrate, total phenols, flavonoids, volatile components, and enzymatically produced pyruvic acid; and antioxidant activity in Chinese chive. We found that MeJA and SA at concentrations of 500 and 150 μM, respectively, significantly increased the levels of total chlorophyll, phenols and flavonoids, vitamin C, and volatile components and significantly reduced the accumulation of nitrate. In addition, compared with the control, 500 μM of MeJA significantly increased the soluble sugar and protein content, and 150 μM SA significantly increased the dry and fresh weight of Chinese chive. Furthermore, these concentrations of MeJA and SA significantly increased the enzymatic pyruvate content and the amount of sulfide and aromatic volatile compounds and improved the characteristic flavor compounds. The 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging capacity, Trolox-equivalent antioxidant capacity, and ferric-reducing antioxidant capacity were significantly improved after a preharvest treatment with 500 μM MeJA and 150 μM SA, which could improve the antioxidant activity, thus improving the postharvest quality and preservation characteristics of Chinese chives. Taken together, a preharvest treatment with 500 μM MeJA and 150 μM SA is optimal to improve the growth, quality, antioxidant activity, and flavor of Chinese chive, thereby enhancing its commercial value.

HAART and anti-Koch's impair sexual competence, sperm quality and offspring quality when used singly and in combination in male Wistar rats

This study investigated the impact of the administration of HAART and anti-Koch's, singly and in combination, on sexual competence and birth statistics. Adult male Wistar rats were randomised into distilled water-treated control, HAART-treated, anti-Koch's-treated and HAART + anti-Koch's-treated groups. The 56-day oral treatment led to impaired sexual competence evident by significantly reduced motivation to mate, prolonged latencies of mount, intromissions, ejaculations and post-ejaculatory interval, as well as reduced frequencies of mount, intromissions and ejaculations. This was accompanied by significant reductions in penile erection reflex and penile grooming. HAART and anti-Koch's, when administered singly or in combination, also led to significant reductions in the circulatory follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, testosterone and intratesticular testosterone, but a significant rise in prolactin. Also, HAART and/or anti-Koch's significantly reduced sperm count, sperm motility, sperm viability and spermatozoa with normal morphology. Furthermore, HAART and anti-Koch's, separately or in combination, significantly lowered fertility capacity, litter size and litter weight and offspring survival. The deleterious effects of these drugs were more pronounced when combined. Findings of the present study revealed that HAART and/or anti-Koch's impair sexual competence via a testosterone-dependent hyperprolactinemia-mediated mechanism. These events are associated with reduced fertility capacity, poor sperm quality and lowered offspring survival.

Development of spray-dried amorphous solid dispersions of tadalafil using glycyrrhizin for enhanced dissolution and aphrodisiac activity in male rats

Tadalafil (TDL) is a phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor (PDE5I), indicated for erectile dysfunction (ED). However, TDL exhibits poor aqueous solubility and dissolution rate, which may limit its application. This study aims to prepare amorphous solid dispersion (ASD) by spray-drying, using glycyrrhizin-a natural drug carrier. Particle and physicochemical characterizations were performed by particle size, polydispersity index measurement, yield, drug content estimation, Fourier Transformed Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and dissolution study. In order to evaluate the aphrodisiac activity of the prepared ASD, sexual behavior study was performed in male rats. It is further considered for the stability study. Our results revealed that TDL-GLZ spray-dried dispersion was a successful drug-carrier binary mixture. XRD and SEM showed that ASD of TDL with GLZ presented in the amorphous state and dented-spherical shape, unlike the drug indicating crystalline and spiked shaped. The optimized ASD3 formulation with particle size (1.92 µm), PDI (0.32), yield (97.78%) and drug content (85.00%) showed 4.07 folds' increase in dissolution rate compared to pure TDL. The results obtained from the in vivo study exhibit significantly improved aphrodisiac activity with ASD3. The stability study revealed that the prepared ASD3 did not show any remarkable changes in the dissolution and drug content for 1 month storage at room temperature.

Staging of the estrous cycle and induction of estrus in experimental rodents: an update

Background

Determination of the phases of the estrous cycle and induction of estrus (heat) in experimental animals remains useful, especially in reproductive function research.

Main body of the abstract

This review provides a detailed description and discusses extensively the variations observed in different phases of the estrous cycle in laboratory animals using rats and mice as examples. It also illustrates how these phases can be determined and how to induce estrus ‘heat’ when required. The phases of the estrous cycle can be determined using various methods such as visual assessment, vaginal smear/cytology, histology of female reproductive organs (vagina, uterus and ovaries), vaginal wall impedance assessment and determination of urine biochemical parameters. Female animals can be artificially brought to estrus phase ‘heat’ to make them receptive to male counterparts.

Conclusion

Determination of the length and phases of the estrous cycle and induction of estrus are useful in teaching and research and evaluating the effects of drugs/chemicals on the reproductive functions.

Effects of combined extracts of Lepidium meyenii and Allium tuberosum Rottl. on erectile dysfunction

BACKGROUND

Sexual problems are widespread and adversely affect the interpersonal relationships and the quality of life. Currently, synthetic drugs improving sexual function are available, but expenditures for such agents are extremely high. To discover relatively inexpensive, widely available and effective natural drugs, we identified a combined extracts from Lepidium meyenii (maca) root and Allium tuberosum Rottl. (Chinese chive) seed, assessed the effects of this combined extracts on erectile dysfunction, and explored its potential mechanisms.

METHODS

The extracts were obtained via supercritical fluid extraction. Male BALB/c mice received doses of extract from single plant or the combined extracts (200 mg/kg) by gastric gavage for 14 d, and Viagra was used as the positive control drug. Sexual behaviour was observed, and concentrations of serum testosterone, nitric oxide (NO), and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) in serum as well as in penis were measured. In addition, weights of genital organs were also measured.

RESULTS

The combined extracts of maca root and Chinese chive seed (1:1, w/w) had a 45-fold increase in macamide content compared with maca extract. It also led to significantly higher ejaculation frequency (P < 0.05) than single extract from maca root or Chinese chive seed, with no corresponding effect on genital indices. In addition, the NO level in serum (P < 0.01) and penis (P < 0.05) increased notably, as well as the level of cGMP in penis (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The results indicated that the combined extracts produced better synergistic effects on male sexual function than maca extract or Chinese chive extract alone. These positive effects may involve the upregulation of NO and cGMP concentrations in penis.

Male sexual enhancers from the Peruvian Amazon

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Selected Peruvian Amazon plants are macerated into sugar cane distillates to prepare alcoholic beverages used to improve male sexual performance. The tree bark from Campsiandra angustifolia Spruce ex Benth (Fabaceae), Swartzia polyphylla DC (Fabaceae), Minquartia guianensis Aubl. (Olacaceae) and Thynantus panurensis (Bureau) Sandwith (Bignoniaceae) usually are used as crude drugs in mixtures of several ingredients.

AIM OF STUDY

Describe the chemical composition of the most traded traditional male enhancer beverages, namely "Levántate Lazaro" and "Siete veces sin sacarla", and their single crude drug constituents, as well as their inhibitory activity towards the enzyme phosphodiesterase-5. The presence of pro-sexual drugs such as Sildenafil® and derivatives was assessed in the samples.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Single plant constituents and the preparation mixtures were purchased in the Mercado Belen (Iquitos, Peru). Chemical profiling was carried out by HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS. The extracts were assessed for phosphodiesterase-5 inhibition. The occurrence of pro-sexual drugs was determined by HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS.

RESULTS

Chemical profiling allowed the identification of condensed tannins as the main constituents of C. angustifolia and S. polyphylla, hydrolysable tannins for M. guianensis, and C-glycosides for T. panurensis. The traditional preparations showed similar composition compared to the crude drugs. At 200 µg/mL, the traditional preparation "Levántate Lázaro" and "Siete veces sin sacarla" inhibited the phosphodiesterase-5 by 49.88% and 27.90%, respectively. No adulterations with pro-sexual drugs were found in the samples. From the crude drugs, low effect was found for the extracts of S. polyphylla and T. panurensis and high activity for C. angustifolia which inhibited the enzyme by 89.37% and 81.32% at 200 and 100 µg/mL, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The traditional preparations used to improve sexual performance in the Peruvian Amazon showed activity as phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors. The most active ingredient of the traditional preparations was C. angustifolia, with some contribution from T. panurensis. These results encourage additional studies, including animal models to confirm the male enhancer effect of the preparations.

Isolation and identification of nucleosides/nucleotides raising testosterone and NO levels of mice serum from Chinese chive (Allium tuberosum) leaves

Our previous study found that Chinese chive could significantly (p < 0.01) raise testosterone and nitric oxide (NO) levels in mice serum. However, the specific functional components of this traditional remedy are still unknown. In order to isolate and identify the active constituents from Chinese chive for enhancing testosterone and NO levels, the Chinese chive leaves were extracted by petroleum ether, ethyl acetate, n-butanol and water respectively. Results indicated that the n-butanol extract had a significant effect on NO and testosterone blood levels. Subsequently, n-butanol extract was further isolated by D101 macroporous adsorption and eluted with 50% ethanol and then isolated by Sephadex LH-20 and preparative high-performance liquid chromatography to obtain nucleosides. The fraction eluted with 70% ethanol was further isolated by RP-18 and pre-HPLC to obtain nucleotides. Four novel compounds were identified, and their effects on testosterone and NO levels of male mice were evaluated. Results showed that nucleotides, especially the adenosine in Chinese chive leaves, increased serum testosterone and NO levels in male mice, which had not been reported before. This finding might bring into perspective the treatment strategy for those doctors who treat hormone deficiencies, and might be suitable for using in functional food.