การพัฒนาสูตรตำรับสมุนไพรไทยเพื่อเพิ่มประสิทธิภาพทางเพศของหนูเพศผู้ที่ถูกชักนำให้อยู่ในภาวะอ้วน

Abstract

Obesity is one cause of sexual dysfunction. It induces erectile dysfunction and reduces semen quality. The roots of Eurycoma longifolia and seeds of Mucuna pruriens are used to promote sexual performance according to fork wisdom. However, there are few scientific research confirming their sexual promoting properties, especially in the form of herbal formulas mixed with plant extracts that have lipid-lowering efficacies. Therefore, this research investigated the effects of herbal formulas from the extracts of the roots of E. longifolia and the seeds of M. pruriens with plants that have lipid-lowering efficacy, such as stems of Albizia procera and Tinospora crispa and barks of Diospyros rhodocalyx in vitro and vivo models. For in vitro assays, we determined the penile erection-promoting effects of the aqueous and ethanolic extracts from the roots of E. longifolia and the seeds of M. pruriens by relaxing effects on corpus cavernosal smooth muscle, lipid-lowering effects by the inhibition of pancreatic lipase of the aqueous and ethanolic extracts from A. procera, T. crispa and D. rhodocalyx. We also determined the antioxidants and antioxidant activities in the aqueous and ethanolic extracts of the five medicinal plants. From the in vitro results, we found that the aqueous and ethanolic extracts from the roots of E. longifolia and A. procera, the aqueous extracts from the barks of D. rhodocalyx, seeds of M. pruriens and stems of T. crispa exhibited the best potentcy in relaxing corpus cavernosal smooth muscle, inhibiting pancreatic lipase and providing antioxidants. Therefore, these six extracts were used to prepare two herbal formulas. Formula 1 consisted of the ethanolic extracts from E. longifolia and A. procera and the aqueous extract of D. rhodocalyx, whereas formula 2 was composed of the aqueous extracts from E. longifolia, M. pruriens and T. crispa. Then, these two herbal formulas were used to test their enhancing sexual efficiency in obesity-induced male rats. Male rats were divided into seven groups. Groups 1-3 were normal rats and received normal diet, while groups 4-7 were induced to obesity by a high-fat diet for 2 months. Then, group 1 received distilled water (NDC), whereas group 2 and 3 received formula 1 (ND+F1) and formula 2 (ND+F1) at a dose of 120 mg/kg, respectively. Groups 4-7 received distilled water (HFC), formula 1 (HF+F1) and formula 2 (HF+F2) at a dose of 120 mg/kg, and clomiphene citrate (HF+CC) at 0.03 mg/kg, respectively. The oral treatment was done for 30 days. The results showed that the herbal formulas 1 and 2 could significantly (p<0.05) reduce courtship behavior and mount latency in obesity-induced rats compared to those of HFC groups. Moreover, formulas 1 and 2 could significantly (p<0.05) increase mount frequency in obesity-induced rats compared to those of HFC rats. However, the two herbal formulas did not reduce intercopulatory interval in obesity-induced rats. Furthermore, the two herbal formulas did not promote sexual behaviors in normal rats, whereas clomiphene citrate could restore sexual behaviors in obesity-induced rats by significant elevating (p<0.05) mount frequency compared to the HFC group. In addition, the herbal formulas markedly restored male reproductive functions of obesity-induced rats by increasing the levels of testosterone, testicular weight, sperm concentration, sperm viability, progressive movement of sperm, and normal sperm morphology. These two herbal formulas decreased estrogenic level and the number of immotile sperm compared the those of HFC rats. Nevertheless, the two formulas did not alter acrosome reaction compared to the NDC and HFC groups. Histopathological investigations in testicular, epididymal, seminal and prostatic tissues supported the above results. The two formulas and clomiphene citrate could restore the damages in these tissues of obesity-induced rats. They also reduced the amount of collagen fibers in the corpus cavernosum of obesity-induced rats. Moreover, the herbal formulas could reduce the levels total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein and high-density lipoprotein in blood of obesity-induced rats compared to the HFC groups. The herbal formulas also ameliorated oxidative stress in reproductive tissues of obesity-induced rats by elevating superoxide dismutase activity in prostate gland as well as increasing catalase activity and glutathione level in epididymal tissues and serum and control the level of malondialdehyde in reproductive tissues. Safety evaluation of the herbal formula indicated that the two herbal formulas were safe in the experimental rats. They did not alter liver and kidney functions. Furthermore, these two formulas could restore the damages in hepatic and renal tissues of obesity-induced rats. From the results, it can be concluded that Thai herbal formulas developed from M. pruriens, E. longifolia, A. procera, D. rhodocalyx and T. crispa have potential as new phytotherapeutic agents for the enhancement of male sexual performance, especially in obesity induced sexual dysfunction.