Ameliorative effect of the methanolic Crude extracts of Inula glomerata and Salacia kraussii on erectile dysfunction in Sprague Dawley rats
Loading...
Date
2020
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Zululand
Abstract
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.
Description
A dissertation submitted in fulfilment of the requirement for the Degree of Master of Science in the Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Agriculture and Engineering, at the University of Zululand, 2020.
Keywords
Erectile dysfunction (ED), multifaceted sexual disorder, Inula glomerata, roots of Salacia kraussii