IN-VIVO APHRODISIAC EFFECTS OF ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF Azanza gackeana (F. Hoffm.) (MALVACEAE) FRUIT PULP

ABSTRACT

Infertility is the failure to achieve a clinical pregnancy after twelve months or more of regular unprotected sexual intercourse. Preliminary reports indicate that there is significant interest in using Azanza gackeana fruit pulp extract to cure sexual dysfunction. The aim and objectives of this study was to determine the phytochemical constituents present in ethanolic fruit pulp extract of Azanza gackeana and also to investigate its aphrodisiac properties. The fruit pulps of A. gackeana were separated from the seeds and the pulps were air-dried. The fruit pulps were pulverized into powder after which the powdered fruit pulp was extracted using continuous hot extraction (Soxhlet extractor). Phytochemicals constituents were screened for using different reagent to test for the presence of alkaloids, glycosides, tannins, saponins, anthraquinones, reducing sugars and flavonoids. Female and male rats experimental subjects were used to test the whole extracts for aphrodisiac properties. Different doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight were given to the extract groups while water and sidenafil were given to negative control group and the reference drug group respectively. This study's preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the presence of saponins, glycosides, tannins, reducing sugars and flavonoids in the ethonolic fruit pulp extract of Azanza gackeana. At higher concentrations (200mg/kg body weight), the extract of Azanza gackeana seed demonstrated considerable aphrodisiac action on male albino rats as demonstrated by an increase in the number of mounts and mating performance. On the other hand, a smaller dose of ethanolic extract (50 and 100mg/kg body weight) demonstrated a little aphrodisiac effect. The findings of this study thus imply that Azanza gackeana extracts have strong aphrodisiac effects in experimental rats.