APHRODISIAC HERBS FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF MALE SEXUAL DYSFUNCTION

NEELESH MALVIYA1*, SANJAY JAIN1, VIPIN BIHARI GUPTA2 AND SAVITA VYAS3
1Smriti College of Pharmaceutical Education, Indore, India
2BR Nahata College of Pharmacy, Mandsaur, India
3MGM Medical College, Indore, India

Abstract: 

An aphrodisiac is a type of food or drink that has the effect of making those who eat or drink it more aroused in a sexual way. Aphrodisiacs can be categorized according to their mode of action into three groups: substances that increase libido (i.e., sexual desire, arousal), substances that increase sexual potency (i.e., effectiveness of erection) and substances that increase sexual pleasure. Some well-known aphrodisiacs are Tribulus terrestris, Withania somnifera, Eurycoma longifolia, Avena sativa, Ginko biloba, and Psoralea coryifolia. Ethnobotanical surveys have indicated a large number of plants as aphrodisiacs. The paper reviews the recent scientific validation on traditionally used herbal plants as aphrodisiac herbs for the management of sexual disorder erectile dysfunction.

An aphrodisiac is defined as any food or drug that arouses the sexual instinct, induces veneral desire and increases pleasure and performance. This word is derived from Aphrodite the Greek goddess of love and these substances are derived from plants, animals or minerals and since time immemorial they have been the passion of man (1). There are two main types of aphrodisiacs, psychophysiological stimuli (visual, tactile, olfactory and aural) preparations and internal preparations (food, alcoholic drinks and love portion) (2). 

Erectile dysfunction (ED) or (male) impotence is a sexual dysfunction characterized by the inability to develop or maintain an erection of the penis (3). There are various underlying causes, such as cardiovascular leakage and diabetes, many of which are medically treatable. The causes of erectile dysfunction may be physiological or psychological (4). Folk remedies have long been advocated, with some being advertised widely since the 1930s (5). The introduction of the first pharmacologically approved remedy for impotence, sildenafil (trade name Viagra), in the 1990s caused a wave of public attention, propelled in part by heavy advertising (6). . 

There are many herbal drugs that have been used by men with ED with varying degrees of sucsuccess. Most potent herbal aphrodisiacs are available and have little or very little side effects (7). Some of the herbs are Gokhru (Tribulus terrestris) Zygophylaceae (active parts ñ fruits), onion (Allium cepa) Liliaceae (active parts ñ bulb), garlic (Allium sativum) Liliaceae (Active parts ñ bulbs) etc. (8, 9). Other herbal plants with aphrodisiac activity are Datura metel, Atropa belladonna, Hyoscyamus niger, Cannabis sativa, Eurycoma longifolia, Avena
sativa, Ginko biloba, Psoralea coryifolia. Here is the list of plants with their description, experimental study, chemical constituents and conclusion about the aphrodisiac activity of plants (10).

Muccuna Pruriens leading to increased sexual drive and improved performance

Muccuna pruriens seeds are rich source of L-DOPA and its metabolites, which include epinephrine and norepinephrine. Therefore, an increase in dopamine level in the brain following M. pruriens treatment may not only induce the activation of sexual behavior but it may also increase plasma testosterone level. It has been reported recently that L-DOPA and its metabolite dopamine stimulate the hypothalamus and forebrain to secrete gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH). This, in turn, upregulates the anterior pituitary gland to secrete follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) causing increased synthesis of testosterone by Leydig cells of the testis. Furthermore, spermatogenesis is controlled by the hypothalamus and anterior pituitary working together. On the basis of the aforestated facts, it may be proposed that increased dopamine level in the brain may not only optimize the release of hormones, including testosterone, leading to increased sexual drive and improved performance, but it may also accomplish reduction of psychological stress. Moreover, treatment with M. pruriens may also contribute to proper functioning of male genital system and facilitate sperm transport, contraction of seminal vesicles and inhibition of lipid peroxidation of spermatozoa. M. pruriens not only helps in reducing psychological stress, but also improves semen quality as it restores antioxidant levels and reduces lipid peroxide content.