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Research Article Open access CC BY 4.0

Aphrodisiac Potentials of Methanol Extract of Homalium letestui Root in Male Rats

Ofonimeh Emmanuel Udofia, Paul Alozie Nwafor, Ifiok Dominic Uffia, Elijah Nya

International Journal of Biochemistry Research & Review · pp. 68–78 · Published 7 Aug 2023

10.9734/ijbcrr/2023/v32i5816

Abstract

Aims: In this study, the methanol extract of Homalium letestui root was investigated with a view to ascertaining the scientific basis for its ethnobotanical use, and establishing, if any, the mechanisms of its effects, as an aphrodisiac. Methodology: The crushed root of Homalium letestui was soaked in methanol for 72h and filtered with Whatman paper No.4; the extract was stored at -4oC. Mature male rats were divided into three groups (active, sluggish, and impotent) and administered with various doses of the extract. The rats were, thereafter, observed for the following: mount latency, intromission latency, ejaculation latency, post ejaculation latency, mount frequency, intromission frequency, erection frequency, and penile erection latency. Results: The result showed that the Homalium letestui root extract (n-butanol, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, petroleum ether and aqueous fractions) caused and maintained erection in the subjects, and their effects on the rats were dose-dependent and statistically significant (p<0.05-0.001). In addition, the aphrodisiac properties of the Homalium letestui root may in part be predicated on the properties of its phytochemical constituents which include alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, tannins and cardiac glycosides. Conclusion: These findings, therefore, justify the Homalium letestui root’s folkloric use as a sexual performance enhancer and demonstrate that the plant possesses aphrodisiac properties.

Homalium letestui aphrodisiac rodents methanol extract medicinal plants

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