Aphrodisiac activity of aqueous extract of Tapinanthus globiferus (African Mistletoe) in male albino rats

Abstract

This study aims to determine the aphrodisiac activity of aqueous extracts of Tapinanthus globiferus in male albino rats. The stem back of the plant was air dried under shade, pulverized with mortar and pestle and passed through a 0.5 mm mesh to standardize the particle. The plant sample was extracted using an aqueous solvent according to standard procedure. Thirty male albino male rats were randomized into five groups of six each. Tapinanthus globiferus extracts of 50, 100 and 150 mg/kg body weight were orally administered once daily for 14 days, and Sildenafil citrate was used as the positive control. Sexual behaviour parameters were monitored, and the effect of the extracts on serum reproductive hormones and cholesterol was determined using standard procedure. The extracts significantly (P<0.05) increased mount and intromission frequencies but significantly decreased mount and intromission latencies in a dose-dependent manner. The extracts at a dose of 100 and 150mg/kg prolonged ejaculatory latency. The hormonal assay shows significantly higher (P<0.05) testosterone, luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone levels compared to the control. No significant (P>0.05) effect on the concentration of prolactin was observed. The results of the study suggest that the extract of T. globiferus exerts significant aphrodisiac activity at the administered doses