Ameliorative effect of the methanolic Crude extracts of Inula glomerata and Salacia kraussii on erectile dysfunction in Sprague Dawley rats

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common but multifaceted sexual disorder suffered by men with an adverse effect on their self-esteem and quality of life. Globally, the prevalence of ED has markedly increased as revealed by epidemiological studies. The use of conventional drugs has been reported to have side effects in addition to being unaffordable especially to rural dwellers. The leaves of Inula glomerata and roots of Salacia kraussii are among those herbal plants used by Zulu traditional healers to manage impotence. The study investigated the ameliorative effects of the methanolic crude extracts of the leaves of Inula glomerata and roots of Salacia kraussii on butanol induced erectile dysfunction. The plant materials were screened for their phytochemical’s composition. The crude extracts were prepared from the plant materials by maceration using methanol. The In vitro antioxidant efficacy of the crude extracts was tested against DPPH and ABTS radicals. For in vivo studies thirty-five male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into seven groups (with five rats per group). The normal group, n-butanol, n-butanol+ Inula glomerata (50 and 250 mg/kg body weight), n-butanol+ Salacia kraussii (50 and 250 mg/kg body weight) and n-butanol+ Cialis (5 mg/kg body weight). The extracts were administered to the male rats orally by cannula every day for 28 days. Some sexual behaviour were monitored. In addition, the effect of the extracts on antioxidant status, the level of nitric oxide, testosterone and uric acid as well as acetylcholinesterase, ACE, arginase activities were assessed. The crude extracts’ cytotoxicity was also determined using MTT assay. vii The result showed that both plants contain tannins, flavonoids, terpenoids, and alkaloids. At a varying degree of efficiency, the crude extracts scavenged ABTS and DPPH radicals with Salacia kraussii (IC50 6.58× 10−3 mg/ml) displaying a better scavenging activity than ascorbic acid (IC50 1.27× 10−2 mg/ml). Furthermore, the results indicated that the plants boosted catalase and SOD activities and concomitantly increased the level of glutathione. The extracts also attenuated arginase, ACE and acetylcholinesterase activities at the same time elevated nitric oxide and testosterone level. In conclusion, both plants exhibited libido-boosting capacity and anti-erectile dysfunction efficacy. Nonetheless, due to their cytotoxicity, they require strict medical supervision before ingestion.

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

University of Zululand

Year dc:date.issued

2020

Author dc:creator

• Ojo, Michael Chukwuka

• Erectile dysfunction (ED)
• multifaceted sexual disorder
• Inula glomerata
• roots of Salacia kraussii

Licence

• https://devspace.unizulu.ac.za/bitstreams/d93b1b81-48ac-4b5f-8cf0-a73687fa9aad/download