Effects of aqueous extract of Cnestis ferruginea (Vahl ex De Cantolle) root on paroxetine-induced sexual dysfunction in male rats

ObjectiveTo determine the effects of the aqueous extract of Cnestis ferruginea root on paroxetine-induced sexual dysfunction in male Wistar rats.MethodsThe extract (13, 26 and 52 mg/kg body weight) and the reference herbal drug, PowmaxM (7.14 mg/kg body weight) were administered orally to paroxetine-induced sexually impaired male rats, once daily for 5 d and their sexual behaviour parameters were monitored and computed. The serum hormones (testosterone, follicle stimulating and luteinizing hormones) were determined at the end of the exposure period.ResultsAdministration of paroxetine to sexually active male rats significantly (P<0.05) reduced the mount frequency (MF), intromission frequency (IF), and ejaculation frequency (EF), whereas mount latency (ML), intromission latency (IL), ejaculatory latency (EL) and post-ejaculatory interval (PEI) were increased. The extracts progressively reversed the trends of MF, IF, EF, ML, IL, EL and PEI in the paroxetin-treated animals towards the control values throughout the exposure period. The sexual behaviour parameters compared well with the PowmaxM-treated animals but not comparable to the distilled water administered animals. In addition, all the doses of the extract elevated (P<0.05) the levels of serum LH and FSH and decreased testosterone contents.ConclusionsThe aqueous extract of Cnestis ferruginea root at the doses of 13, 26 and 52 mg/kg body weight restored sexual competence at least to a reasonable extent in sexually impaired/sluggish male rats with the highest dose producing the best efficacy. The results support the folkloric claim of the plant for the management of sexual disorder in males.