Skip to content
Research Article Open access CC BY 4.0

Effects of a Herbal Sex Enhancer (Vigpower) and Zinc Supplementation on Sex Hormones, Hepatic and Renal Function in Male Albino Rats

Ojoye N. Briggs, Kemzi N. Elechi-Amadi, Francis A. Anyia, Jack G. Tetam, Moses Yeghenee, Victor O. Ben-Iyieke, Ibitoroko M. George-Opuda

International Journal of Biochemistry Research & Review · pp. 33–41 · Published 30 Jun 2023

10.9734/ijbcrr/2023/v32i3806

Abstract

Aim: This study evaluated the effects of a herbal sex enhancer (Vigpower) and zinc supplementation on sex hormones, hepatic and renal function in male albino rats. Methodology: A total of 49 male Albino rats weighing between 150 to 180g were used for the study. Vigpower, Viagra and zinc were orally administered to the rats daily for 28 days. Testosterone and estradiol were quantitatively determined using a rat-specific sandwich-enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. The liver enzymes alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were determined using the Reitman-Frankel method. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was determined using the Colorimetric endpoint method. Sodium (Na+), potassium (K+) and chloride (CL-) were determined using ion selective electrode (ISE) method. Urea was determined using Urease bertholet method. Creatinine was determined using Jaffe-Slot method and qualitative phytochemical analysis was done on Vigpower capsule using classical methods. Results: Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of flavonoids, protodioscin, saponins and phenols in the herbal capsule Vigpower. Testosterone levels were significantly higher in all the treatment groups compared to the negative control, with group 7 (Vigpower + Viagra + zinc) having the highest value. Estradiol levels were significantly lower, whereas testosterone-estradiol (T/E) ratio was significantly higher in all the treatment groups compared to the negative control, except for group 4 (zinc) which showed no significant difference compared to the negative control. ALT levels in the treatment groups were not significantly different from the negative control, except for groups 6 (Viagra + zinc) and 7 (Vigpower + Viagra + Zinc), which had significantly higher levels. AST and ALP levels in the treatment groups were not significantly different from the negative control, except for group 7 (Vigpower + Viagra + Zinc), which was significantly higher than the negative control and all other treatment groups. There was no significant difference in sodium (Na+), chloride (Cl-) and urea levels in the treatment groups, compared to the negative control. Potassium (K+) and creatinine levels were significantly higher in group 7 (Vigpower + Viagra + zinc), compared to the negative control and all other treatment groups. Conclusion: Singular administration of Vigpower, Viagra and zinc increased testosterone levels of the male rats. Vigpower and Viagra had equipotent effects on the sex hormones and also increased the testosterone-estradiol ratio. Vigpower, Viagra and zinc administered singularly, had no impact on liver enzymes and renal function. However, the combination treatment of Vigpower, Viagra and zinc was hepatotoxic and elevated potassium and creatinine levels. Herbal sex enhancers and their combination with other medications could provoke the desired sexual effect, but may damage other organ systems and pose serious public health challenges.

Sex hormones sex enhancers herbal aphrodisiacs Vigpower (Vigueur power) Viagra (Sildenafil citrate) liver enzymes renal function

References (28)

  1. 1 Recommendations for nomenclature of ionselective electrodes (IUPAC Recommendations 1994) [DOI]
  2. 2 Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay, ELISA [DOI]
  3. 3 Plasma Creatinine Determination A New and Specific Jaffe Reaction Method [DOI]
  4. 4 The role of estradiol in male reproductive function [DOI]
  5. 5 Qualitative and Quantitative Determination of Phytochemical Contents of Indigenous Nigerian Softwoods [DOI]
  6. 6 Exploring scientifically proven herbal aphrodisiacs [DOI]
  7. 7 Phytomedicines, Herbal Drugs, and Poisons [DOI]
  8. 8 Long-Term Zinc Supplementation Improves Liver Function and Decreases the Risk of Developing Hepatocellular Carcinoma [DOI]
  9. 9 Prevalence, Comorbidities, and Risk Factors of Erectile Dysfunction: Results from a Prospective Real‐World Study in the United Kingdom [DOI]
  10. 10 Pharmacology of Herbal Sexual Enhancers: A Review of Psychiatric and Neurological Adverse Effects [DOI]
  11. 11 Evaluation of Drug Activities [DOI]
  12. 12 Prevalence of erectile dysfunction and possible risk factors among men of South-Western Nigeria: a population based study. [DOI]
  13. 13 Shedding of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor from the surface of hepatocytes during sepsis limits inflammation through cGMP signaling [DOI]
  14. 14 Amelioration effect of zinc and iron supplementation on selected oxidative stress enzymes in liver and kidney of cadmium-treated male albino rat [DOI]
  15. 15 Effects of zinc on male sex hormones and semen quality in rats.
  16. 16 Effects of zinc supplementation on sexual behavior of male rats [DOI]
  17. 17 Polypharmacy (herbal and synthetic drug combination): a novel approach in the treatment of type-2 diabetes and its complications in rats [DOI]
  18. 18 An Increase in Dietary Supplement Exposures Reported to US Poison Control Centers [DOI]
  19. 19 Testosterone/estradiol ratio, is it useful in the diagnosis of erectile dysfunction and low sexual desire? [DOI]
  20. 20 Impact of oral zinc therapy on the level of sex hormones in male patients on hemodialysis [DOI]
  21. 21 Transient Rise of Serum Testosterone Level After Single Sildenafil Treatment of Adult Male Rats [DOI]
  22. 22 Effect of sildenafil citrate on the liver structure and function in obstructive jaundice: An experimental study [DOI]
  23. 23 The action of herbal medicine on the libido: aspects of nutritional intervention in increasing sexual desire [DOI]
  24. 24 Direct enzymatic determination of urea in plasma and urine with a centrifugal analyzer. [DOI]
  25. 25 The effects of Sildenafil in liver and kidney injury in a rat model of severe scald burn: A biochemical and histopathological study [DOI]
  26. 26 Effect of Zinc on Testosterone Levels and Sexual Function of Postmenopausal Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial [DOI]
  27. 27 A scientific compendium of the effects of sildenafil citrate on the liver, kidney and heart of male albino rats at Nnewi, South East Nigeria [DOI]
  28. 28 Effects of the Anti-diabetic Polyherbal (Ruzu Bitters) on Glucose, Hepatic and Renal Parameters in Alloxan-induced Diabetic Rats [DOI]

Cited by 2

Effects of an herbal formulation on lead acetate-induced hormonal imbalance in female albino rats

K. Elechi-amadi, O. N. Briggs · GSC Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences · 2025

Effects of combination of tramadol and sildenafil citrate (Viagra) on hepatic and renal function parameters in Male Albino Rats

O. N. Briggs, K. Elechi-amadi, J. Tetam · World Journal of Biology Pharmacy and Health Sciences · 2024

Related research

Article metrics

Real usage data collected on this platform.

52

Page views

0

PDF downloads

12

Outbound clicks

2

Citations

Views over time

Views by country

Approximate, from request IP at view time — not citizenship or institution. Countries with fewer than 5 views are grouped as "Other".

Traffic sources

Referring site, by host.

Views and downloads exclude known bots/crawlers. Citations combines this platform's own DOI-resolved index with each external source's own reported total — see Cited by above for individually listed citing works. Last refreshed 0 seconds ago.