The Journal of Phytopharmacology 2023; 12(1):11-19 DOI:10.31254/phyto.2023.12102

Research Article

Aphrodisiac potentials of the aqueous extract of Hibiscus asper Hook. f. leaves (Malvaceae) in male Wistar rats

Marius Jaures Tsakem Nangap¹ , Roberto Fokou¹ , Lucain Walbadet² , Abel Narcisse Messi Betene¹ , Pascal Emmanuel Owona³ , Raceline Gounoue Kamkumo¹ , Florence Ngueguim Tsofack³ , Théophile Dimo⁴

Marius Jaures Tsakem Nangap,Roberto Fokou,Lucain Walbadet,Abel Narcisse Messi Betene,Pascal Emmanuel Owona,Raceline Gounoue Kamkumo,Florence Ngueguim Tsofack,Théophile Dimo

1. Department of Animal Biology and Physiology, Faculty of Science University of Yaounde I, P.O. Box 812, Yaoundé, Cameroon & Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Yaoundé I, P.O. Box 812, Yaoundé, Cameroon
2. Department of Animal Biology and Physiology, Faculty of Science University of Yaounde I, P.O. Box 812, Yaoundé, Cameroon & Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Yaoundé I, P.O. Box 812, Yaoundé, Cameroon & Département des Sciences de la Vie et de la Terre, Ecole Normale Supérieure de N'Djamena, BP 206, N'Djamena, Tchad instead of Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Yaoundé I, P.O. Box 812, Yaoundé, Cameroon
3. Department of Animal Biology and Physiology, Faculty of Science University of Yaounde I, P.O. Box 812, Yaoundé, Cameroon
4. Department of Animal Biology and Physiology, Laboratory of Animal Physiology, University of Yaoundé I, P.O. Box 812 Yaoundé, Cameroon

*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

Received: 1st November, 2022 / Accepted: 12th January, 2023

Abstract

Introduction: In general medicine, male sexual dysfunction is a major source of worry and consultation.Finding alternative substances like plants to regulate these disturbances is motivated by the side effectsof standard aphrodisiac medicines. In the current investigation, male rats were used to test theaphrodisiac effects of an aqueous extract of Hibiscus asper leaves. Methodology: Aphrodisiac effect ofthe extract was evaluated following a single daily administration of Hibiscus asper at doses of 50, 100and 200 mg/kg respectively. Sexual behavioural parameters such as mounting and intromissionfrequencies, mounting, intromission and ejaculatory latencies, sexual motivation were monitored on days1, 4 and 8. At the end of the experiment, the grapping test was assessed, after which the animals weresacrificed and blood collected for the evaluation of cholesterol, fructose, proteins, acid phosphatase,testosterone, and other androgen-dependent enzymes. Some androgen-dependent organs, such as thetestis, epididymis, seminal vesicle, prostate, and levator ani muscle, were also removed for biochemicaland histological analysis. Results: The administration of the aqueous extract of H. asper leaves had asignificant impact on sexual behaviour, increasing mounting frequency (MF), intromission frequency(IF), and ejaculatory latency (EL), and reducing mounting latency (ML), intromission latency (IL), andpost-ejaculatory interval (PEI). There was also an enhancement in orientational activities, libido, arousaland potency. Cholesterol, acid phosphatase, vesicular fructose, proteins, nitric oxide and testosteronelevels were all significantly increased in treated animals. Conclusion: These findings support thetraditional use of H. asper leaves to enhance male sexual behavior by demonstrating the aphrodisiacpotential of these plants.