Effect of Phaleria macrocarpa on sexual function of rats

OBJECTIVES The purpose of current study was to determine the effect of Phaleria macrocarpa (P. macrocarpa) fruits aqueous extract on reproductive performance of adult male rats by assessing the serum testosterone level and evaluating their libido behavior. METHODS AND MATERIALS Eighteen male adult Spraque Dawley rats were divided into three groups and designated as treatment (240 mg/kg P. macrocarpa aqueous extract), negative control (distilled water), and positive control (4 mg/kg testosterone) which were supplemented through intragastric gavage for seven weeks. On the seventh week of supplementation, each of the male rats was introduced to five female rats at five different days to allow mating and observed the libido behavior. The mounting latency and mounting frequency were recorded for each mating. RESULTS P. macrocarpa aqueous extract significantly increased (p<0.05) the serum testosterone level and mounting frequency of male rats. However, there was no significant effect on mounting latency. Body weight was significantly lower in rats supplemented with P. macrocarpa aqueous extract compared with the control groups (p<0.05). CONCLUSION P. macrocarpa showed potential value as an alternative for improving the sexual strength by increasing the level of testosterone and libido behavior. Thus, it is suggested that P. macrocarpa can improve the fertility in man.