Ethanol extract of Caesalpinia bonduc (L.) Roxb root improves the sexual performance of male Wistar rats

Abstract

Caesalpinia bonduc (CB) is an African tropical plant whose roots are used in traditional medicine as ethanol maceration for many purposes, especially for erection impairment. Objective: This study aims to examine the aphrodisiac activity of the ethanol extract from the root of CB in male Wistar rats. Materials and Methods: Eighteen male rats were divided into three groups (n = 6): The Group 1, control received dimethyl sulfoxide (vehicle), Group 2 received Viagra ® (Sildenafil citrate) at 25 mg/kg body weight, and Group 3 received ethanol extract of CB root at 500 mg/kg body weight. Each treatment was administered once daily by gavages for 28 days, with the exception of Viagra ® which was administered 1 h before each mating. On days 1, 14, and 28, the male rats were mated with artificially estrus female rats by hormonal treatment with benzoate estradiol and progesterone. The sexual behavior parameters as intromission frequency (IF), intromission latency (IL), mount frequency (MF), and mount latency (ML) were evaluated. The effect of the extract on serum testosterone level and histoarchitecture of testis was also assessed. Results: CB root extract increased significantly the IF (P < 0.001) and MF (P < 0.01) when compared with the control group. Significantly decreased (P < 0.05) of ML and IL of rats were observed. Significant increases (P < 0.01) in testosterone levels of extract-treated group were observed. This is supported by cross sections of the testis that showed an increase in the diameter of the seminiferous tubes compared to the control group and those with Viagra ® group. Conclusion: Findings in this study revealed that CB root enhanced sexual behavior in male rats and may play an aphrodisiac role that justifying its use in alternative medicine.