Abstract

Erectile dysfunction is a common problem in men. Garcinia kola is claimed to possess aphrodisiac effects and as such is used traditionally in the treatment of erectile dysfunction. A 70% ethanolic extract of G. kola seeds was prepared and used for treating male Wistar rats (n=8 /group); two doses of G. kola (200 and 400 mg/kg body weight) were used for the treatment group, while distilled water was administered to the control group.  All the treatments were orally administered daily for 28 days. On day 28, mounting frequency (MF), intromission frequency (IF) and ejaculation frequency (EF) were quantified during sexual behaviour tests. At termination, body and organ weights, gastric ulceration and cauda epididymal sperm counts were determined. Serum was collected for determination of testosterone levels. Both doses (200 and 400 mg/kg) showed marked aphrodisiac activity with significantly increased sexual behaviour parameters compared to controls. However lower dose of G. kola was more effective than the higher dose. Testosterone levels were higher in both treatment groups compared to controls. Sperm counts were similar to controls however testes weights were higher in G. kolatreated rats compared to controls. Thus these results show that G. kola enhances sexual activity in normal male rats.

Key words: Garcinia kola, ethanolic extract, sexual behaviour, sperm count, testosterone, aphrodisiac.