Aphrodisiac activity of Phlegmariurus saururus in copulating and noncopulating male rats

Abstract

Background: Phlegmariurus saururus is popularly known in Argentina as aphrodisiac. For this reason, it was previously investigated and determined that the decoction of this plant elicits pro-ejaculatory activity and increases the ejaculatory potency in the Fictive Ejaculation Model. HYPOTHESIS/PURPOSE: the decoction of P. saururus facilitates sexual behavior in sexually experienced male rat and induces copulatory behavior in non-copulating male rats.

Methods: The extraction method (decoction) was validated through Selectivity, Accuracy and Precision, by identification of the majority alkaloids, expressed as sauroxine. Male (sexually experienced and noncopulating) and female (receptive) Wistar rats were used to determine sexual behavior. Sildenafil was used as positive control. The following variables were evaluated: Mount Latency, Intromission Latency, Ejaculation Latency, Post Ejaculatory Interval, as well as the Mounts and Intromissions Number.

Results: In sexually experienced male rats, P. saururus decoction stimulates sexual arousal and facilitates sexual execution. In noncopulating male rats, this decoction induces copulation with behavioral characteristics similar to sexually experienced animals.

Conclusion: P. saururus possesses aphrodisiac activity in copulating and noncopulating male rats.

Keywords: Ejaculation latency; Phlegmariurus saururus decoction; Pro-sexual activity; Sexual behavior; Sexually expert rats; Sexually inactive rats.