Effects of andrographolide on sexual functions, vascular reactivity and serum testosterone level in rodents

In this study, effects of andrographolide from Andrographis paniculata on sexual functions, vascular reactivity and serum testosterone level in experimental animals were observed. The suspension of andrographolide in 5% DMSO was administered orally at the dose of 50 mg/kg to male ICR mice. The female mice involved in mating were made receptive by hormonal treatment. The mating behaviors, mounting latency and mounting frequency, were determined and compared with the standard reference drug sildenafil citrate. Administration of andrographolide significantly decreased the mounting latency at 120 and 180 min and increased mounting frequency at 180 min after treatment. In endothelium-intact rat aortic strips, norepineprine-induced contraction was reduced by preincubation with andrographolide. Administration of 50 mg/kg andrographolide orally to male mice once daily for 2, 4, 6 or 8 weeks had no significant effects on sperm morphology and motility. Interestingly, at week 4, serum testosterone level in mice treated with andrographolide was significantly increased when compared to the control. Thus, the effects of andrographolide on vascular response to norepinephrine and testosterone level observed in this study might be contributed to the sexual enhancing properties observed.