Pro-Sexual Effects of Aqueous and Methanol Extracts of Phyllanthus muellerianus (Kuntze) Exell (Phyllanthaceae) on a Model of Low Sexual Desire Disorder in Female Rats

Esther Ngadjui; Henderson Herris Kar; Ngombeu Zeugang; François Xavier  Kemka Nguimatio; Modeste  Wankeu-Nya; Georges Romeo Bonsou Fozin; Aime Cesaire Momo Tetsatsi; Pierre Watcho

doi:10.18502/tim.v7i2.9923

Esther Ngadjui Research Unit of Animal Physiology and Phytopharmacology, University of Dschang, P.O. BOX. 67, Cameroon
Henderson Herris Kar Research Unit of Animal Physiology and Phytopharmacology, University of Dschang, P.O. BOX. 67, Cameroon
Ngombeu Zeugang Research Unit of Animal Physiology and Phytopharmacology, University of Dschang, P.O. BOX. 67, Cameroon
François Xavier Kemka Nguimatio Research Unit of Animal Physiology and Phytopharmacology, University of Dschang, P.O. BOX. 67, Cameroon
Modeste Wankeu-Nya Department of Animal Organisms Biology, University of Douala, P.O. BOX, 24157, Douala, Cameroon
Georges Romeo Bonsou Fozin Research Unit of Animal Physiology and Phytopharmacology, University of Dschang, P.O. BOX. 67, Cameroon
Aime Cesaire Momo Tetsatsi Research Unit of Animal Physiology and Phytopharmacology, University of Dschang, P.O. BOX. 67, Cameroon
Pierre Watcho Research Unit of Animal Physiology and Phytopharmacology, University of Dschang, P.O. BOX. 67, Cameroon

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/tim.v7i2.9923

Keywords: Female sexual dysfunctions; Estrogens; Sexual behavior; Phyllanthus muellerianus; Rats

Abstract

Low sexual desire disorder is a recurrent deficiency in desire for sexual activity which impairs lifestyle. It is a frequent problem in women with limited therapeutic options. Phyllanthus muellerianus (Kuntze) Exell is a plant used by traditional healers to boost libido in women. This study aimed at evaluating the aphrodisiac properties of root barks extracts of this plant on a model of Low Sexual Desire Disorder (LSDD) in female rats. Low sexual desire was induced by ovariectomy plus low steroid hormones supplementations. Thirty ovariectomized rats were treated for 21 days with either distilled water, aqueous or methanol extracts (60 or 372 mg/kg) of P. muellerianus. All animals were supplemented with a low dose of 17β-estradiol and progesterone prior to sexual behavior test. Sexual behavior test was performed each week by pairing each female rat with a sexually experienced male. Sexual motivation (approach, ear wiggling, hops and darts, anogenital presentation and aggressive behavior frequency) and sexual receptivity parameters (lordosis frequency and quotient) were recorded. At the end of treatments, animals were sacrificed, uteri and vagina collected, weighed and conserved for total uterine proteins assay and histology. LSDD was characterized by significant inhibition of sexual motivation parameters and lordosis frequency compared to a normal control. Moreover, poor reproductive tissues growth characterized by low total uterine proteins, uterine wet weight and uterine epithelia size was noted in LSDD group compared to normal control. Interestingly, plant extracts significantly improved sexual motivation parameters (p < 0.05-0.001) compared to LSDD group. In addition, moderate reproductive tissues growth was noted in plant treated groups as confirmed by amelioration of uterine cell integrity. Present results show that P. muellerianus exhibits pro-sexual effects through amelioration of sexual motivation and reproductive tissues growth on a model of LSDD.