Aphrodisiac Property of the Elephant Creeper Argyreia nervosa

Abstract

Based on ethno-medical clues, the aphrodisiac property of Argeria nervosa was studied in male mice. The root, flower and, to some extent, leaf (homogenate in 2% gum acacia) of the plant showed aphrodisiac activity as evidenced by an increase in mounting behavior of mice. When different extracts of the root were tested, the activity was found in the alcohol extract (200 mg/kg; p.o, single dose). The extract, 1 hr after administration, stimulated mounting behavior of male mice in a concentration-dependent manner. The root- or flower-treated male mice also exhibited a remarkable increase in mating performance. Further, the number of males was found to be more among the pups fathered by the herbal drug-treated mice compared to those by the control mice. Thus, the plant has promising potential to be developed into an effective medicine for stimulating male sexual activity with an influence on sex ratio favoring males.