Abstract

ASSESSMENT OF APHRODISIAC ACTIVITY OF DIAZOSTIMUL?, A PHYTOMEDICINE BASED AQUEOUS EXTRACT OF THE ROOT BARK OF HEINSIA CRINATA (AFZEL.) G. TAYLOR (RUBIACEAE) AND ITS ACUTE TOXICITY

Cimanga Kanyanga R.*, Ntondele Luzolo M., Kikweta Munduku, C., Mbamu Maya B., Nsompi Makuka P., Mbinze Kindenge, J. and Kambu Kabangu O.,

ABSTRACT

Results from the evaluation of the aphrodisiac effects of DIAZOSTIMUL, a phytomdecine based aqueous extract of Heinsia crinita root bark showed that the extract possesses aphrodisiac properties by the oral administration of the lyophilized aqueous extract at respective doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight in term of significant increase in dose-dependent manner of mount frequency, intromission frequency, ejaculation frequency, copulatory efficiency, number of intromission and penile trusting, spontaneous penile erection, number of spermatozoa and its mobility, and serum testosterone. On the other hand, it was also observed significant decrease of other sexual parameters behavior such as mount frequency, intromission latency, ejaculation latency, mount latency and inter-intromission interval in dose-dependent manner which also clearly demonstrate the aphrodisiac property of the administered extract. It again showed good increase in potency parameters such as erection, quick flip, long flik-lip and total reflex. All these effects of the aqueous extract of DIAZOSTIMUL on evaluated sexual behaviors showed its aphrodisiac properties as well as that of Heinsia crinata root bark. The oral dose of 100 mg/kg was found to be more effective than other administered oral doses. In acute toxicity, the extract was found to be non-toxic since no death or other changes in behaviours of treated animals was observed. Its LD50 was estimated to be greater than 5 g/kg body weight. These results support and justify the use of this phytomedicine from a medicinal plant to treat erection dysfunction and to enhance sexual behaviours of young, adult men and women in their conjugal live and in the same time that of Heinsia crinata root bark used in traditional medicine for the same purpose.

Keywords: Heinsia crinata, Rubiaceae, root bark, aphrodisiac activity, acute toxicity