Abstract:
In Sri Lanka, in the Ayurvedic medicine, seeds of
Mucuna prurita (both with seed coats and without seed
coats) are recommended to be used as an aphrodisiac.
However, the validity of this claim is not established. The
aim of this study was to test the aphrodisiac potential of M.
prurita seeds using a powdered suspension m X% methyl
cellulose. Male rats were treated orally with different doses
of whole powdered seed suspension (WPSS) [1,500 mg/kg
in = 12) once a day; 1,500 mg/kg (« = 12) twice a day or
1,500 mg/kg (n = 12) three times a day] or decoated powdered
seed suspension (DPSS) [1,500 mg/kg (n = 12) twice
a day and 1,500 mg/kg (n = 6) three times a day] or vehicle.
The male sexual behaviour of these rats was monitored 2 h
later. The DPSS had no effect whatsoever on male sexual
behaviour. In contrast, mid and high doses of the WPSS
caused a marked reduction in pre-coital sexual behaviour (in
terms of chasing, genital grooming, anogenital sniffing),
failure of rats to mount, intromit or ejaculate and prolongations
of latencies to mount and intromit. In addition, the mid
dose of WPSS caused a prolongation of intercopulatory
interval. These impairments of sexual behaviour were
reversible. The mid dose also had marked sedative (in terms
of impairment of numbers of rear, head dips, locomotory
activity) and analgesic (marked prolongation of reaction
time in both tail flick and hot plate test) effects. This dose
inhibited neither muscle strength (assessed by a bar holding
test) nor muscle co-ordination (Bridge test). We conclude
that the WPSS of M. prurita seeds inhibited libido, sexual
arousal/motivation and penile tactile sensitivity without
disrupting sexual performance.
