APHRODISIAC PROPERTIES OF POLYHERBAL FORMULATED TEA (Zingiber officinale, Allium sativum, Azanza garckeana, Ageratum conyzoides and Anthocleista djalonensis)

ABSTRACT

Polyherbal remedies, a key component of traditional medicine, involve using multiple herbs in a single formulation, offering a synergistic effect that can enhance efficacy and reduce toxicity. This study aims to evaluate the aphrodisiac effectiveness of the poly-herbal-formulated tea (Zingiber officinale, Allium sativum, Azanza garckeana, Ageratum conyzoides, and Anthocleista djalonensis). In this investigation, 20 male rats were divided into 5 groups of 4 rats in each group. Group 1 received distilled water; groups 2 and 3 received 10 and 20 mg/kg of an aqueous extract of tea respectively; group 4 received 5 mg/kg of sildenafil; and group 5 received 20 mg/kg of carbamazepine orally for 14 days. All the rats were evaluated for mating and orientational behaviour as well as testosterone analysis. The results demonstrate that 20 mg/kg of aqueous extract of the polyherbal tea and 5 mg/kg of sildenafil enhance the mount and intromission frequency when compared to water control and Carbamazepine (p<0.01). Aqueous extract of tea (10 and 20 mg/kg) and 5 mg/kg of sildenafil increase ejaculatory frequency and latency when compared to water control and carbamazepine (**p<0.01; *p< 0.05). Polyherbal tea (10 and 20 mg/kg), 20 mg/kg of carbamazepine, and 5 mg/kg of sildenafil significantly increased the number of anogenital sniffing, licking, and genital grooming when compared to water control (**p<0.01; *p< 0.05). Aqueous extract of the tea (10 and 20 mg/kg) and 5 mg/kg of sildenafil increase testosterone levels when compared to water control and carbamazepine (**p<0.01; *p< 0.05). The weight of the testis remained unaltered. In conclusion, polyherbal-formulated tea possesses aphrodisiac qualities and efficacy in increasing sexual health and performance in male rats