Abstract

APHRODISIAC AND FERTILITY ENHANCING ACTIONS OF ‘KUNU AYA’ (A BEVERAGE BLEND DEVELOPED FROM CYPERUS ESCULENTUS, PHOENIX DACTYLIFERA AND COCOS NUCIFERA) VIA TESTOSTERONE- BOOSTING, ANXIOLYSIS AND INHIBITION OF KEY ENZYMES ASSOCIATED WITH ERECTILE PROCESS

Idakwoji Precious Adejoh*, Uzuazokaro Mark- Maria Agatemor, Nweje- Anyalowu
Paul Chukwuemeka, Anyalogbu Ernest Anayochukwu Aniemeka and Okafor Stephen Chiadika

Abstract

Sexual dysfunctions occur at a point in an adult‟s lifetime. To address this problem a number of therapeutic strategies have been developed, some of which are inadequate and/or plagued with side effects. Consequently, alternative methods which include the use of herbs with aphrodisiac and fertility- enhancing properties have been advocated. The present study investigated the mechanism of aphrodisiac and fertility- enhancing activities of aqueous extracts of Cyperus esculentus, Phoenix dactylifera and Cocos nucifera and ‘Kunu aya’ (the beverage blend). The study was divided into in vivo and in vitro phases. In the in vivo phase, aphrodisiac and fertility- enhancing activities of the extracts were assessed in rats using physical/ behavioral (observation of mounting/ mating frequencies), biochemical (determination of sperm count, testosterone and PSA levels) psychological/ mood (anxiolytic effect using EPM models) methods while in the in vitro phase, different concentrations of each extract were subjected to phosphodiesterase- 5 (PDE-5), Arginase, Acetylcholinesterase (AChE), Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) inhibition assays and their medium inhibitory concentrations (IC50) determined through non-linear regression analysis. Results showed that the beverage blend significantly increased mounting/ mating frequency, sperm count, testosterone level, decreased PSA level and reduced anxiety. The blend was also more potent in inhibiting the enzymes compared to the individual extracts. It was then concluded that the possible mechanisms of aphrodisiac and fertility- enhancing properties of the individual extracts and their beverage blend- „Kunu aya’ are via ability to increase testosterone level, increase sperm count, decrease anxiety and inhibition of key enzymes involved in erectile process.

Keywords: Aphrodisiac, Anxiolysis, Kunu aya, Cyperus esculentus, Phoenix dactylifera and Cocos nucifera.