Journal of Ethnopharmacology,
Elsevier Scientific
Publishers
33
( 199 I ) 67-72
Ireland
67
Ltd.
Effect of Salvia haematodes on sexual behaviour of male rats M.W. Islam, M. Tariq, College of Pharmacy,
A.M. Ageel, M.S. Al-Said
King Saud University,
(Accepted
P.O.
November
and A.M. Al-Yhya
Box 2457, Riyadh-I I451
(Saudi Arabia)
15, 1990)
The effect of an ethanolic extract of Salvia haematodes roots was studied periments, male sexual responses were assessed by recording penile erection,
on the sexual behaviour of male rats. In the initial exlicking and grooming of genitals and copulatory move-
ment in absence of females. In the second set, copulatory behaviour was observed by caging males with a receptive female brought into estrus with S.C. injection of estradiol benzoate and progesterone. The frequencies of mounting and intromission and latency of the ejaculation were recorded. The results show that the extract (500 mg/kg, orally) produced a significant increase in episodes of penile erection. The drug was found to enhance the orientation of males towards the female by increased anogenital investigatory behaviour and enhanced licking and grooming port the folk use of this plant as aphrodisiac Key words: Salvia
haemorodes;aphrodisiac
of the genitals. The extract also increased the ejaculation and for the treatment of premature ejaculation.
activity;
sexual activity;
penile erection;
Introduction
Ireland
premature
sup-
ejaculation.
Salivia haematodes. Materials and Methods Animals stock
Inbred adult Wistar albino rats of either sex weighing 16&200 g, were fed on standard chow diet (Silo and Flour Mills Organization Feed Mill, Riyadh) and tap water ad libitum. The animals were housed at a room temperature of 24°C f
Correspondence IO: Dr. M.W. Islam, Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2457, Riyadh-I 1451, Saudi Arabia.
Publishers
behaviour;
These findings
sexual potency (Amin et al., 1969; Puri, 1971). The leaves of khat (Catha edulis) are used in Yemen to treat sexual debility (Luqman and Donawaski, 1976). In Saudi Arabia, several native plants are used to increase sexual desire and performance. The root of Safvia haematodes Wall. (Labiatae), commonly known as red sage by folklorists, is often prescribed for the treatment of sexual disorders (Baitar, 1871) and as a cardiac, cerebral and nerve tonic (Avicena, 1048). It is also used as aphrodisiac and for the treatment of premature ejaculation of semen (Said, 1969). However, these claims are largely based on subjective opinion rather than on scientific observation. The present study was undertaken to investigate the aphrodisiac activity of an ethanolic extract of the root of
A variety of plants have been used as sex stimulants in the traditional medicine systems of various countries. Punica granatum was a symbol of immorality and love in Oriental regions (Farnsworth et al., 1975). The yohimbine-rich bark of Corynanthe yohimbe, indigenous to West Africa, has been employed for centuries as an aphrodisiac (Johanson and Diamond, 1968). In European countries a cream used for vaginal douches to increase sexual desire in frigid women is prepared from Chelidonium majus, Heracleum sphondylium and Satureja montana (Messegne, 1973). Hindu medicine still claims Aristolochia indica, Crocus sativus, Alpinia galanga and Allium cepa as potent aphrodisiacs (Puri, 197 1). For centuries, Arabs have made use of herbal drugs for improving sexual performance and increasing libido. The pollen grains of dates (Phoenix dactylifera) and seeds of hermala (Peganum harmala) are used in Egypt to restore
0378-8741/$03.50 0 1991 Elsevier Scientific Published and Printed in Ireland
copulatory
latency.
Ltd.
68
1°C with a reversed light-dark cycle (light from 2300 h to 1100 h). The animals were acclimated for about a week before the experimentation. Extract preparation The dried roots of Salvia haematodes were obtained from the local market and identified by Dr. S. Abdeen, Taxonomy Division of the Medicinal, Aromatic and Poisonous Plant Research Center. The powdered roots were extracted for 72 h with 95% ethyl alcohol, using a Soxhlet extractor. The extract was dried at 40°C and 2 mm bar pressure and stored in a refrigerator. The yield was 9.1 l%, w/w in terms of dried starting material. Fresh solutions of the extract were prepared in normal saline immediately before adminstration to the animals. Penile erection and homosexual mounting Penile erection (PE) studies were carried out following the method of Benassi-Benelli et al. (1979). Two groups of animals were used for this study: the animals in the first group were treated with 500 mg/kg of the plant extract orally 30 min before the observation period, whereas the rats in the second group served as controls. Thirty minutes after the treatment, the rats were placed in observation cages (6 at a time) and continuously observed for a period of 1 h. Penile erection for each rat was recorded only when rats displayed copulatory movements in the absence of females and bent down to lick their penis in full erection, ejaculation ensuing. The degree of sexual stimulation was expressed as a Penile Erection Index (PEI), obtained by multiplying the percentage of rats exhibiting at least one episode of PE during the 1 h of observation by the mean number of penile erections. The occurence of homosexual mounting was also recorded when a male rat mounted another male rat making copulatory movements with or without penile erection. Copulatory behaviour The copulatory tests were carried out following the method of Hart et al. (1983). The male rats were divided into two groups (12-15 rats in each group). The animals in the first group were treated with the extract of S. haematodes (500 mg/kg, oral-
ly) 30 min before the test, whereas the rats in the second group served as controls. Female rats (used as mating stimulus) were brought into estrus with single subcutaneous dose of 600 pg of estradiol benzoate and 600 p of progesterone, 72 h and 6 h before testing, respectively. The male rats were first placed in the observation arena for an adaptation period of 3-5 min and then a sexually receptive female rat was introduced. The following parameters of the copulatory behaviour were recorded: (i) Mount Latency (ML), time from introduction of the female until the first mount; (ii) Intromission Latency (IL), time from introduction of the female until the first intromission; (iii) Ejaculation Latency (EL), time from the first intromission until ejaculation; (iv) Mount Frequency (MF), the number of mounts in a series; (v) Intromission Frequency (IF), the number of intromissions in a series; (vi) Mean Intromission Interval (MII), the mean interval separating the intromissions of a series; (vii) Post-Ejaculatory Interval (PEI), the time from the occurence of ejaculation until the initiation of a new series, as indicated by the next intromission. Mating tests were terminated when one of four conditions were fulfilled: (i) when there was no intromission within 30 min from the start of the test; (ii) when there was no ejaculation within 20 min of the first intromission; (iii) when there was no intromission within 15 min after ejaculation, or (iv) when there was first intromission following an ejaculation. Orientation
activity
Orientation activities towards the female (mounting, licking, anogenital sniffing), towards environment (exploration, raring, climbing), towards self (non-genital grooming, genital grooming) and type of the mobility (restricted, not restricted) were also observed during the observation period for copulatory behaviour, according to the method described by Malminas (1973) and rated following the method of Hull et al. (1984). Statistical analysis Results were analysed using the two-tailed Student t-test or the chi-square method (quanta1 data).
69
Results
TABLE
The effects of the ethanolic extract of S. haematodes on penile erection and homosexual mounting are summarized in Table 1. The extract produced a significant increase in the penile erection index as compared to control value. There were no homosexual mountings in the treated and control animals during the 60 min observation period. Table 2 shows copulatory behaviour with females following the treatment of male rats with the plant extract. No significant change was noticed in mount and intromission latencies in the treated animals as compared to the control rats, whereas a significant increase in ejaculation latency was observed in treated animals. The treatment of animals with the extract significantly increased the mount and intromission frequencies, and prolonged the post-ejaculatory interval as compared to control group. However, there was no change in ejaculation frequency, mean intromission interval and in the percentage of ejaculating animals following the treatment. Our studies on the orientation of male towards the female rats showed that males treated with the extract displayed more frequent and vigorous anogenital sniffing and mounting on females, as compared to untreated animals (Fig. 1). The orientation towards environment (climbing on cage wall, raring and exploration) was found to be inconsistently reduced whereas towards self (genital grooming) was increased. The rats treated with the extract tended to show confinement to a particular area of the cage (around female) showing restriction in movement. TABLE
I
MEAN
EFFECT OF S. HAEMATODES EXTRACT (500 p.0.) ON PENILE ERECTION INDEX (PEI) AND HOMOSEXUAL MOUNTING OF MALE RATS
mgikg.
Treatment
N
PEI f
Control Treated
18 12
21.4 f 3.0 57.3 + 2.8*
Significant
from control:
S.E.M.
*P < 0.001.
Homosexual mounting Absent Absent
2
EFFECT OF S. HAEMATODES EXTRACT (500 mg/kg p.0.) ON COPULATORY BEHAVIOR IN MALE RATS Mean time + S.E.M.
Measures
Treated
Control Mount latency Intromission latency Ejaculation latency Mount frequency Intromission frequency Ejaculation
fre-
quency Post-ejaculatory interval Mean intromission interval Percentage of ejaculatng animals
(s)
162.5 f 265.9 f
15.8 19.1
130.7 ziz 4.2 243.3 + 9.8
225.5
f
24.6
288.6
46.1 f
3.2
58.6 +
2.6**
15.4 f
1.7
26.7 f
4.7*
3.7 f
0.1
3.2 f
376.5 f
16.3
60.6 f
3.2
80.0
469.3
zt 13.2***
f
56.8 f
0.2 13.5*** 4.8
84.3t
Significant from control group: *P < 0.05. **P < 0.001; N/group = 15. tP > 0.05, X*-test.
< 0.01. ***P
The ethanolic extract of S. haematodes modified rat copulatory as well as orientational activities, the two main determinants for measuring male sexual behaviour (Morales et al., 1982). The results of the present study revealed a significant increase in penile erection and frequencies of mounting and intromission. The ejaculatory latency was also prolonged in treated animals indicating improved sexual performance (Beach and Whalen, 1959; Ferrari et al., 1985). The drug extract also enhanced the orientational activities of males towards female rats showing vigrous anogenital investigatory behaviour and enhanced self orientation as evidenced by increased grooming of the genitals. These findings support the use of this plant as sex stimulant and for the treatment of premature ejaculation in traditional medicine.
70
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71
Although
the mechanism of action of S. root is far from clear, recently it has been reported to have significant anxiolytic activity, comparable to that of the benzodiazepines (Swinyard and Castellion, 1966; Millichap, 1969; Akbar et al., 1984). The benzodiazepine-like drugs are reputed to produce their antianxiety effect by reducing serotonin turnover (Stein et al., 1975). On the other hand, the aphrodisiac activity of various compounds has been attributed to decreased brain serotonin synthesis (Ferguson et al., 1970; Hoyland et al., 1970; Taglimontte et al., 1971; Perez-Cruet et al., 1971; Salis and Dewbury, 1971). Hence, further studies are warranted on the effect of S. haematodes extract on serotonin turnover and its anxiolytic potential. S. haematodes has been shown to contain flavonoids, glycosides, sterols and tannins in our laboratory (Ageel et al., 1987). A high concentration of salvinine, a bioflavon has been found in plants of several species of Sulvia (Harborn, 1967). Flavonoids have been shown to exhibit varying degree of anti-oxidant activity (Harborne, 1967; Das and Ratty, 1986). Anti-oxidant compounds have been reported to alter androgen levels (Ellis et al., 1972), and androgens play a very important role in sexual excitation (Clemens and Pomerantz, 1982). However, the antioxidant activity of Salviu flavonoids has not been studied. Further study is indicated to isolate the active principle(s) from S. haematodes roots and to determine the mechanism of action.
haematodes
(1048) AI-Qanoon-fil-rib
(Vol. 2, Urdu
translation).
Nawal Kishore. Lucknow, India, p. 52. 1. (1871) Jame-ul-Mufradar-al-Advia-wal-Agh:ia. Baitar, Amara Press, Egypt, p. 121. Beach, E.A. and Whalen, R.E. (1959) Effect of ejaculation sexual
behaviour
on
in the male rat. Journal of Comparative
Physiology and Psychology 52, 249-252.
Benassi-Benelli, A., Ferrari, F. and Pellegrini-Quarantotti, B. (1979) Penile erection induced by apomorphine and N-npropylapomorphine in rats. Archives International de Pharmarodynamie er de ThPrapie 242, 241-247. Clemens, L.G. and Pomerantz, S.M. (1982) Testerone acts as prohormone to stimulate male sexual behaviour in male mice. Journal of Comparative Physiology and Psychology 96, 114-122. Das, N.P., and Ratty, A.K. (1986) Effect of flavonoids on induced non-enzymatic lipid peroxidation. In: V. Cody, E. Middleton Biology
and
J.
Harborne
and Medicine:
Structure-Activity
(Ed%)
Biochemical,
Relationships.
A.R.
Plant
Flavonoids
in
Pharmacological
and
Liss. New York,
pp.
243-247.
Ellis, L.C. Johanson, J.M. and Hargrove, J.L. (1972) Prostaglandins in cellular biology. Proceedings of the A/_-a Conference on rhe Prostaglandins Inflammatory
Process
in Cellular
(Carmel,
Biology and in the
California,
Oct.
24-26.
1971). Plenum Press, New York, pp. 385-398. Farnsworth, N.R., Bingel, A.S., Cordell, G.A., Crane, F.A. and Fong, H.H.S. (1975) Potential value of plants as sources of new antifertility agents. II. Journal of Pharmaceurical Sciencies 64, 7 17-753. Ferguson, J., Henriksen, S., Cohen, H., Mitchell, G., Barchas, J. and Dement, W. (1970) Hypersexuality and behavioural changes in cats caused by p-chlorophenyalanine. Science
168, 499-501. Ferrari, F.. Baggio, G. and Mangiafico, V. (1985) The dopamine autoreceptor agonist B-HT 920 markedly stimulates sexual behaviour in male rats. E.uperienria 41. 636-638.
Harborne, J. (1967) Comparative Biochemisrry of Flavonoids. Academic Press Inc. Ltd.. London. pp. 217. Hart. B.L., Wallach, S.J.R. and Melese-D’Hospital, P.Y.
Acknowledgement
The authors are thankful to King Abdul Aziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) for financial support. References
(I 983) Differences in responsiveness to testosterone of penile rellexes and copulatory behaviour of male rats. Hormone and Behaviour
17. 274-283.
Hoyland. V.J., Shillito. p-chlorophenylalanine nal of Pharmacology
Ageel, A.M., Mossa, J.S., Tariq, M., Al-Yahya, M.A. and AlSaeed, MS. (1987) Plants Used in Saudi Folk Medicine. King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, p. 71. Akbar, S., Tariq, M. and Nisa, M. (1984) A study on CNS depressant activity of Salvia haematodes Wall. Inrernarional Journal of Crude Drug Research
Amin. E.S., Awad, 0.. El-Samad. (1969) Pharmacological studies (Phoeni.\- dacl~~lc$w).
Avicena
I, 41-44.
M.A. and Iskander. M.N. on pollen grains of dates
Plt~roclfc,illisrr~~ X. 295-298.
E.E. and Vogt, M. (1970) The effect of on the behaviour of cats. British Jour40. 659-667.
Hull, E.M.. Nishita, J.K. and Bitran, D. (1984) Perinatal dopamine-related drugs demasculinize rat. Science 9. loll--1013. Johanson, D.N. and Diamond, M. (1968) Yohimbine and sexual stimulation in the male rats. Physiology and Behaviour 4. 41 I-413.
Luqman, W. and Donawaski. Yemen: Social and medical Medicine
Malminas,
T. (1976) The use of khat in observations. Anna/s of Internal
85. 246-250.
C.O.
(1973)
Monominergic
influence
on
12
testosterone-activated copulatory behaviour in the male rat. Ac~u Physiologicu Scundinuvicu 39. I - 128. Messegne, M. (1973) Man and Plants. Macmillan, New York, p. 327. Millchap, J.G. (1969) Relation of laboratory evaluation to clinical effectiveness of antiepileptic drugs. Epilepsia IO, 315-328. Morales, A., Surridge, D.H.C., Marshall, P.G. and Fenemote, J. (1982) Non-hormonal pharmacological treatment of organic impotence. Journal of Urology 128, 4547. Perez-Cruet, J.. Taglimonte. A., Taglimonte, P. and Gessa, G.L. (1971) Differential effects of p-chlorophenylalanine on sexual behaviour and sleep time pattern of male rabbits. Rivista Farmacologie Terarologie 2, 27-34. Puri, H.S. (1971) Vegetable aphrodisiacs of India. Quurfer/y Journal of crude Drug Research I I, 1742-1748. Said, M. ( 1969) Pharmacopoeiu of Easrern Medicine. Hamdard
National Foundation (Hamdard). The Times Press. Karachi, Pakistan, p. 69. Salis. P.J. and Dewbury. D.A. (1971) p-Chlorophenylalanine facilitates copulatory behaviour in male rats. Nr//urc, 232. 400-401. Stein, L., Wise, C.D. and Berger, B.D. (1973) Anti-anxiety action of benzodiazepines: Decrease in activity of serotonin in the punishment system In: S. Garattini, F. Mussini and L.O. Randal (Eds.), The Ben:odiuzepine.s. Raven Press. New York, pp. 299-326. Swinyard, E.A. and Castellion, A. W. (1966) Anti-convulsant properties of some benzodiazepines. Journal of’ Pharmucology und Experimental Therapeutics 151, 369-375. Tagliamonte, A.. Tagliamonte, P. and Gessa. G.L. (1971) Reversal of pargyline-induced inhibition of sexual behaviour in male rats by p-chlorophcnylalanine. Nc/urc, 230. 244-245.
Elsevier Scientific
Publishers
33
( 199 I ) 67-72
Ireland
67
Ltd.
Effect of Salvia haematodes on sexual behaviour of male rats M.W. Islam, M. Tariq, College of Pharmacy,
A.M. Ageel, M.S. Al-Said
King Saud University,
(Accepted
P.O.
November
and A.M. Al-Yhya
Box 2457, Riyadh-I I451
(Saudi Arabia)
15, 1990)
The effect of an ethanolic extract of Salvia haematodes roots was studied periments, male sexual responses were assessed by recording penile erection,
on the sexual behaviour of male rats. In the initial exlicking and grooming of genitals and copulatory move-
ment in absence of females. In the second set, copulatory behaviour was observed by caging males with a receptive female brought into estrus with S.C. injection of estradiol benzoate and progesterone. The frequencies of mounting and intromission and latency of the ejaculation were recorded. The results show that the extract (500 mg/kg, orally) produced a significant increase in episodes of penile erection. The drug was found to enhance the orientation of males towards the female by increased anogenital investigatory behaviour and enhanced licking and grooming port the folk use of this plant as aphrodisiac Key words: Salvia
haemorodes;aphrodisiac
of the genitals. The extract also increased the ejaculation and for the treatment of premature ejaculation.
activity;
sexual activity;
penile erection;
Introduction
Ireland
premature
sup-
ejaculation.
Salivia haematodes. Materials and Methods Animals stock
Inbred adult Wistar albino rats of either sex weighing 16&200 g, were fed on standard chow diet (Silo and Flour Mills Organization Feed Mill, Riyadh) and tap water ad libitum. The animals were housed at a room temperature of 24°C f
Correspondence IO: Dr. M.W. Islam, Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2457, Riyadh-I 1451, Saudi Arabia.
Publishers
behaviour;
These findings
sexual potency (Amin et al., 1969; Puri, 1971). The leaves of khat (Catha edulis) are used in Yemen to treat sexual debility (Luqman and Donawaski, 1976). In Saudi Arabia, several native plants are used to increase sexual desire and performance. The root of Safvia haematodes Wall. (Labiatae), commonly known as red sage by folklorists, is often prescribed for the treatment of sexual disorders (Baitar, 1871) and as a cardiac, cerebral and nerve tonic (Avicena, 1048). It is also used as aphrodisiac and for the treatment of premature ejaculation of semen (Said, 1969). However, these claims are largely based on subjective opinion rather than on scientific observation. The present study was undertaken to investigate the aphrodisiac activity of an ethanolic extract of the root of
A variety of plants have been used as sex stimulants in the traditional medicine systems of various countries. Punica granatum was a symbol of immorality and love in Oriental regions (Farnsworth et al., 1975). The yohimbine-rich bark of Corynanthe yohimbe, indigenous to West Africa, has been employed for centuries as an aphrodisiac (Johanson and Diamond, 1968). In European countries a cream used for vaginal douches to increase sexual desire in frigid women is prepared from Chelidonium majus, Heracleum sphondylium and Satureja montana (Messegne, 1973). Hindu medicine still claims Aristolochia indica, Crocus sativus, Alpinia galanga and Allium cepa as potent aphrodisiacs (Puri, 197 1). For centuries, Arabs have made use of herbal drugs for improving sexual performance and increasing libido. The pollen grains of dates (Phoenix dactylifera) and seeds of hermala (Peganum harmala) are used in Egypt to restore
0378-8741/$03.50 0 1991 Elsevier Scientific Published and Printed in Ireland
copulatory
latency.
Ltd.
68
1°C with a reversed light-dark cycle (light from 2300 h to 1100 h). The animals were acclimated for about a week before the experimentation. Extract preparation The dried roots of Salvia haematodes were obtained from the local market and identified by Dr. S. Abdeen, Taxonomy Division of the Medicinal, Aromatic and Poisonous Plant Research Center. The powdered roots were extracted for 72 h with 95% ethyl alcohol, using a Soxhlet extractor. The extract was dried at 40°C and 2 mm bar pressure and stored in a refrigerator. The yield was 9.1 l%, w/w in terms of dried starting material. Fresh solutions of the extract were prepared in normal saline immediately before adminstration to the animals. Penile erection and homosexual mounting Penile erection (PE) studies were carried out following the method of Benassi-Benelli et al. (1979). Two groups of animals were used for this study: the animals in the first group were treated with 500 mg/kg of the plant extract orally 30 min before the observation period, whereas the rats in the second group served as controls. Thirty minutes after the treatment, the rats were placed in observation cages (6 at a time) and continuously observed for a period of 1 h. Penile erection for each rat was recorded only when rats displayed copulatory movements in the absence of females and bent down to lick their penis in full erection, ejaculation ensuing. The degree of sexual stimulation was expressed as a Penile Erection Index (PEI), obtained by multiplying the percentage of rats exhibiting at least one episode of PE during the 1 h of observation by the mean number of penile erections. The occurence of homosexual mounting was also recorded when a male rat mounted another male rat making copulatory movements with or without penile erection. Copulatory behaviour The copulatory tests were carried out following the method of Hart et al. (1983). The male rats were divided into two groups (12-15 rats in each group). The animals in the first group were treated with the extract of S. haematodes (500 mg/kg, oral-
ly) 30 min before the test, whereas the rats in the second group served as controls. Female rats (used as mating stimulus) were brought into estrus with single subcutaneous dose of 600 pg of estradiol benzoate and 600 p of progesterone, 72 h and 6 h before testing, respectively. The male rats were first placed in the observation arena for an adaptation period of 3-5 min and then a sexually receptive female rat was introduced. The following parameters of the copulatory behaviour were recorded: (i) Mount Latency (ML), time from introduction of the female until the first mount; (ii) Intromission Latency (IL), time from introduction of the female until the first intromission; (iii) Ejaculation Latency (EL), time from the first intromission until ejaculation; (iv) Mount Frequency (MF), the number of mounts in a series; (v) Intromission Frequency (IF), the number of intromissions in a series; (vi) Mean Intromission Interval (MII), the mean interval separating the intromissions of a series; (vii) Post-Ejaculatory Interval (PEI), the time from the occurence of ejaculation until the initiation of a new series, as indicated by the next intromission. Mating tests were terminated when one of four conditions were fulfilled: (i) when there was no intromission within 30 min from the start of the test; (ii) when there was no ejaculation within 20 min of the first intromission; (iii) when there was no intromission within 15 min after ejaculation, or (iv) when there was first intromission following an ejaculation. Orientation
activity
Orientation activities towards the female (mounting, licking, anogenital sniffing), towards environment (exploration, raring, climbing), towards self (non-genital grooming, genital grooming) and type of the mobility (restricted, not restricted) were also observed during the observation period for copulatory behaviour, according to the method described by Malminas (1973) and rated following the method of Hull et al. (1984). Statistical analysis Results were analysed using the two-tailed Student t-test or the chi-square method (quanta1 data).
69
Results
TABLE
The effects of the ethanolic extract of S. haematodes on penile erection and homosexual mounting are summarized in Table 1. The extract produced a significant increase in the penile erection index as compared to control value. There were no homosexual mountings in the treated and control animals during the 60 min observation period. Table 2 shows copulatory behaviour with females following the treatment of male rats with the plant extract. No significant change was noticed in mount and intromission latencies in the treated animals as compared to the control rats, whereas a significant increase in ejaculation latency was observed in treated animals. The treatment of animals with the extract significantly increased the mount and intromission frequencies, and prolonged the post-ejaculatory interval as compared to control group. However, there was no change in ejaculation frequency, mean intromission interval and in the percentage of ejaculating animals following the treatment. Our studies on the orientation of male towards the female rats showed that males treated with the extract displayed more frequent and vigorous anogenital sniffing and mounting on females, as compared to untreated animals (Fig. 1). The orientation towards environment (climbing on cage wall, raring and exploration) was found to be inconsistently reduced whereas towards self (genital grooming) was increased. The rats treated with the extract tended to show confinement to a particular area of the cage (around female) showing restriction in movement. TABLE
I
MEAN
EFFECT OF S. HAEMATODES EXTRACT (500 p.0.) ON PENILE ERECTION INDEX (PEI) AND HOMOSEXUAL MOUNTING OF MALE RATS
mgikg.
Treatment
N
PEI f
Control Treated
18 12
21.4 f 3.0 57.3 + 2.8*
Significant
from control:
S.E.M.
*P < 0.001.
Homosexual mounting Absent Absent
2
EFFECT OF S. HAEMATODES EXTRACT (500 mg/kg p.0.) ON COPULATORY BEHAVIOR IN MALE RATS Mean time + S.E.M.
Measures
Treated
Control Mount latency Intromission latency Ejaculation latency Mount frequency Intromission frequency Ejaculation
fre-
quency Post-ejaculatory interval Mean intromission interval Percentage of ejaculatng animals
(s)
162.5 f 265.9 f
15.8 19.1
130.7 ziz 4.2 243.3 + 9.8
225.5
f
24.6
288.6
46.1 f
3.2
58.6 +
2.6**
15.4 f
1.7
26.7 f
4.7*
3.7 f
0.1
3.2 f
376.5 f
16.3
60.6 f
3.2
80.0
469.3
zt 13.2***
f
56.8 f
0.2 13.5*** 4.8
84.3t
Significant from control group: *P < 0.05. **P < 0.001; N/group = 15. tP > 0.05, X*-test.
< 0.01. ***P
The ethanolic extract of S. haematodes modified rat copulatory as well as orientational activities, the two main determinants for measuring male sexual behaviour (Morales et al., 1982). The results of the present study revealed a significant increase in penile erection and frequencies of mounting and intromission. The ejaculatory latency was also prolonged in treated animals indicating improved sexual performance (Beach and Whalen, 1959; Ferrari et al., 1985). The drug extract also enhanced the orientational activities of males towards female rats showing vigrous anogenital investigatory behaviour and enhanced self orientation as evidenced by increased grooming of the genitals. These findings support the use of this plant as sex stimulant and for the treatment of premature ejaculation in traditional medicine.
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the mechanism of action of S. root is far from clear, recently it has been reported to have significant anxiolytic activity, comparable to that of the benzodiazepines (Swinyard and Castellion, 1966; Millichap, 1969; Akbar et al., 1984). The benzodiazepine-like drugs are reputed to produce their antianxiety effect by reducing serotonin turnover (Stein et al., 1975). On the other hand, the aphrodisiac activity of various compounds has been attributed to decreased brain serotonin synthesis (Ferguson et al., 1970; Hoyland et al., 1970; Taglimontte et al., 1971; Perez-Cruet et al., 1971; Salis and Dewbury, 1971). Hence, further studies are warranted on the effect of S. haematodes extract on serotonin turnover and its anxiolytic potential. S. haematodes has been shown to contain flavonoids, glycosides, sterols and tannins in our laboratory (Ageel et al., 1987). A high concentration of salvinine, a bioflavon has been found in plants of several species of Sulvia (Harborn, 1967). Flavonoids have been shown to exhibit varying degree of anti-oxidant activity (Harborne, 1967; Das and Ratty, 1986). Anti-oxidant compounds have been reported to alter androgen levels (Ellis et al., 1972), and androgens play a very important role in sexual excitation (Clemens and Pomerantz, 1982). However, the antioxidant activity of Salviu flavonoids has not been studied. Further study is indicated to isolate the active principle(s) from S. haematodes roots and to determine the mechanism of action.
haematodes
(1048) AI-Qanoon-fil-rib
(Vol. 2, Urdu
translation).
Nawal Kishore. Lucknow, India, p. 52. 1. (1871) Jame-ul-Mufradar-al-Advia-wal-Agh:ia. Baitar, Amara Press, Egypt, p. 121. Beach, E.A. and Whalen, R.E. (1959) Effect of ejaculation sexual
behaviour
on
in the male rat. Journal of Comparative
Physiology and Psychology 52, 249-252.
Benassi-Benelli, A., Ferrari, F. and Pellegrini-Quarantotti, B. (1979) Penile erection induced by apomorphine and N-npropylapomorphine in rats. Archives International de Pharmarodynamie er de ThPrapie 242, 241-247. Clemens, L.G. and Pomerantz, S.M. (1982) Testerone acts as prohormone to stimulate male sexual behaviour in male mice. Journal of Comparative Physiology and Psychology 96, 114-122. Das, N.P., and Ratty, A.K. (1986) Effect of flavonoids on induced non-enzymatic lipid peroxidation. In: V. Cody, E. Middleton Biology
and
J.
Harborne
and Medicine:
Structure-Activity
(Ed%)
Biochemical,
Relationships.
A.R.
Plant
Flavonoids
in
Pharmacological
and
Liss. New York,
pp.
243-247.
Ellis, L.C. Johanson, J.M. and Hargrove, J.L. (1972) Prostaglandins in cellular biology. Proceedings of the A/_-a Conference on rhe Prostaglandins Inflammatory
Process
in Cellular
(Carmel,
Biology and in the
California,
Oct.
24-26.
1971). Plenum Press, New York, pp. 385-398. Farnsworth, N.R., Bingel, A.S., Cordell, G.A., Crane, F.A. and Fong, H.H.S. (1975) Potential value of plants as sources of new antifertility agents. II. Journal of Pharmaceurical Sciencies 64, 7 17-753. Ferguson, J., Henriksen, S., Cohen, H., Mitchell, G., Barchas, J. and Dement, W. (1970) Hypersexuality and behavioural changes in cats caused by p-chlorophenyalanine. Science
168, 499-501. Ferrari, F.. Baggio, G. and Mangiafico, V. (1985) The dopamine autoreceptor agonist B-HT 920 markedly stimulates sexual behaviour in male rats. E.uperienria 41. 636-638.
Harborne, J. (1967) Comparative Biochemisrry of Flavonoids. Academic Press Inc. Ltd.. London. pp. 217. Hart. B.L., Wallach, S.J.R. and Melese-D’Hospital, P.Y.
Acknowledgement
The authors are thankful to King Abdul Aziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) for financial support. References
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