Citrullus lanatus Ethanolic Seed Extract Improved Male Sexual Behavior in Rats via Enhancement of Sexual Hormone and Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Gonadal Pathway

Abstract

Background: Current drugs used for sexual dysfunction have several limitations, necessitating the search for alternative medicine. Aim and Objective: The study investigated the effect of Citrullus lanatus ethanolic seed extract (CLESE) on the sexual behavior and reproductive hormones of adult male Wistar rats. Material and Methods: Twenty-four adult male Wistar rats were randomized into four groups (n=6). Group 1 received saline (1 ml/kg, p.o.) and served as normal control, groups 2 and 3 were given CLESE (500 and 1000 mg/kg, p.o.) for 14 consecutive days. Group 4 received Sildenafil Citrate (SC) (5 mg/kg, p.o.), which served as positive control drug and this was administered 4 h before sexual behavioral test only on days 7 and 14. Sexual behavioral tests were performed in a Plexiglas copulatory arena. Male sexual behavioral parameters were evaluated following one on one exposure of experimental male rats with oestrus induced sexual seeking female rats. Thereafter, rats were sacrificed. Results: CLESE enhanced libido by significantly (p < 0.05) increasing mounting and intromission frequencies relative to normal controls. CLESE also enhanced intromission and ejaculation latencies, but decreased mounting latency and post ejaculatory interval. Serum testosterone and luteinizing hormone were also significantly (p < 0.05) increased. The histological findings showed improved histoarchitecture of the testes and hypothalamic sections. Conclusion: The findings from this study showed that CLESE enhanced sexual behavior via mechanism related to increased serum testosterone and luteinizing hormone and may be useful for men with sexual dysfunction.

Keywords

• Citrullus lanatus
• Male Sexual Dysfunction
• Sexual Behavior
• Impotence