Libido Enhancement Potential of Piper guineense in Male Wistar Rats

Abstract

Background: Some spices have been reported to play contributory role in enhancing male reproductive function. Aims: To determine the effect of Piper guineense consumption on some libido indices and behavioral pattern of male Wistar rats at different concentrations. Study Design: This is a Cross-sectional nonclinical study in animal model. Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out at the Department of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Medical and Health Sciences, Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria between the month of March and June, 2016. Methodology: Thirty (30) male Wistar rats were divided into 6 groups of five rats each (n=5). Animals in Group 1 (Control) were fed with 100% Pelletized growers feed, while Group 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 were fed with different concentrations of P. guineense supplemented diet: 0.5, 5, 10, 15 and 20%, respectively for 28 days. On the 28th day of the experiment, female rats were introduced into the cages of the male rats (2 females to 1 male ratio) and from the cage side, the male rats were observed for mounting latency, mounting frequency and intromission frequency. The values of all the morphometric measurement, including change in sexual behaviours were analyzed statistically using SPSS 20 Software. P-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The result of the libido index test show that the dry leaves of Piper guineense, in comparison with the control group, significantly (P<0.05) increased the Mounting Frequency and Intromission Frequency of the male rats, while it caused a significant (P<0.05) reduction in the Mounting Latency of the animals, especially at 10%, 15% and 20% concentration. The plant appears to induce aggression in the treated rats in a dose-dependent manner with the highest occurrence (100%) in Group 6 fed with 20% of P. guineense. No significant difference (P>0.05) was observed in the % body weight gain and testicular weight of the test rats when compared with the control group. Conclusion: P. guineese showed potential value as a natural sexual enhancement (aphrodisiac) agent as shown by significant increase in some of the libido indicator parameters assessed.