Mayank Thakur

Immunomodulatory Activity of Chlorophytum borivilianum Sant. F.

Chlorophytum borivilianum Santapau & Fernandes (Liliaceae) is a very popular herb in traditional Indian medicine and constitute a group of herbs used as ‘Rasayan’ or adaptogen. Ethanolic extract of the roots and its sapogenin were evaluated for their immunomodulatory activity. Effect of azathioprine-induced myelosuppresion and administration of extracts on hematological and serological parameters was determined. Administration of extracts greatly improved survival against Candida albicans infection. An increase in delayed-type hypersensitivity response (DTH), % neutrophil adhesion and in vivo phagocytosis by carbon clearance method was observed after treatment with extracts. Immunostimulant activity of ethanolic extract was more pronounced as compared to sapogenins. The results, thus justifies the traditional use of C. borivilianum as a rasayana drug.

Aphrodisiac Activity of Dactylorhiza hatagirea (D.Don) Soo in Male Albino Rats

The bulbous roots of Dactylorhiza hatagirea (D.Don) Soo (Fam. Orchidacea) which are synonymous to the tubers of Orchis macula (Orchidaceae) and serve as source of Salep, are used traditionally in Indian subcontinent specially in the Northern region and Nepal as aphrodisiac and sexual stimulant. It is considered as a nutritive and restorative tonic and also as an alternative source of Salep used very commonly in Europe (1).

A Review on Plants Used for Improvement of Sexual Performance and Virility

The use of plant or plant-based products to stimulate sexual desire and to enhance performance and enjoyment is almost as old as the human race itself. The present paper reviews the active, natural principles, and crude extracts of plants, which have been useful in sexual disorders, have potential for improving sexual behaviour and performance, and are helpful in spermatogenesis and reproduction. Review of refereed journals and scientific literature available in electronic databases and traditional literature available in India was extensively performed. The work reviews correlation of the evidence with traditional claims, elucidation, and evaluation of a plausible concept governing the usage of plants as aphrodisiac in total. Phytoconstituents with known structures have been classified in appropriate chemical groups and the active crude extracts have been tabulated. Data on their pharmacological activity, mechanism of action, and toxicity are reported. The present review provides an overview of the herbs and their active molecule with claims for improvement of sexual behaviour. A number of herbal drugs have been validated for their effect on sexual behavior and fertility and can therefore serve as basis for the identification of new chemical leads useful in sexual and erectile dysfunction.

Effect of Chlorophytum Borivilianum Santapau and Fernandes on sexual dysfunction in hyperglycemic male rats

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of Chlorophytum borivilianum (CB) on sexual dysfunction, loss of body weight, and lack of libido in hyperglycemic rats induced with streptozotocin or alloxan.MethodsWistar strain male albino rats were divided into five groups of six animals each: the control group (2% polyvinylpyrollidone solution), the streptozotocin control group (50 mg/kg), the alloxan control group (100 mg/kg), the streptozotocin + CB treated group (200 mg/kg), and the alloxan + CB treated group (200 mg/kg). Only after confirming the induction of diabetes, the animals of test groups were treated with CB. The sexual behavior of male rats of in presence of female rat in a special cage was recorded. The effects of induced diabetes in control groups and on simultaneous extract treatment in CB treated groups were tested for sexual parameters. The parameters evaluated included mount, ejaculation, and intromission latencies/frequencies, hesitation time, and penile erection index. Parallel to this, using a separate set of similarly treated animals, the influence of diabetes and CB treatment on anabolism and weight of secondary sexual organs were determined on day 0 and day 28 of the treatment.ResultsCB extract treatment ameliorated the diabetes-induced dysfunction at 200 mg/kg dose. There was very low weight loss (P<0.05) in CB-treated animals as compared to the diabetic control. There was a very high latency time (P<0.05) in the diabetic animals, whereas the latency time was very low in CB-treated animals. Mount, intromission, and ejaculation frequencies were very high (P<0.01) in CB-treated animals, while streptozotocin and alloxan groups animals had a very significantly lower sexual behavior (P<0.05) compared to the normo-glycemic control group animals.ConclusionCB can significantly ameliorate diabetes-induced sexual dysfunction. Polysaccharide and saponin-rich aqueous extract appears to have the most suitable effects on diabetes and its associated effects on sexual functionality.

Immunomodulatory Polysaccharide from Chlorophytum borivilianum Roots

Chlorophytum borivilianum Santapau & Fernandes (Liliaceae) is an ayurvedic Rasayana herb with immunostimulating properties. The polysaccharide fraction (CBP) derived from hot water extraction of C. borivilianum (CB), comprising of ∼31% inulin-type fructans and ∼25% acetylated mannans (of hot water-soluble extract), was evaluated for its effect on natural killer (NK) cell activity (in vitro). Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), isolated from whole blood on a Ficoll-Hypaque density gradient, were tested in the presence or absence of varying concentrations of each C. borivilianum fraction for modulation of NK cell cytotoxic activity toward K562 cells. Preliminary cytotoxicity evaluation against P388 cells was performed to establish non-cytotoxic concentrations of the different fractions. Testing showed the observed significant stimulation of NK cell activity to be due to the CBP of C. borivilianum. Furthermore, in vivo evaluation carried out on Wistar strain albino rats for humoral response to sheep red blood cells (SRBCs) and immunoglobulin-level determination using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), exhibited an effectiveness of C. borivilianum aqueous extract in improving immune function. Present results provide useful information for understanding the role of CBP in modulating immune function.

Immunomodulatory activity of petroleum ether extract of Anacyclus pyrethrum

Context: Anacyclus pyrethrum DC (Compositae) roots, commonly known as Pellitory root and locally as akarkara, are widely recognized in the Indian traditional systems of medicine, Ayurveda, as a ‘rasayana’, i.e. a plant with immunomodulatory properties. Objective: Evaluation of A. pyrethrum extract for its effect on normal and chemically suppressed immune systems in vivo. Materials: Petroleum ether extract (PEE) of roots was tested at 50 and 100 mg/kg dose. The effect of both doses on total and differential leukocyte count, cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression, survival rate against Candida albicans infection, delayed type hypersensitivity reaction, percentage neutrophil adhesion, and phagocytic activity were tested. Results: The PEE-treated rats were able to overcome cyclophosphamide-induced myelo-suppression as evidenced by the normalization of blood parameters. Survival rate of albino rats was improved in Candida albicans-infected animals by treatment with the extract (p <0.05). An increase in delayed type hypersensitivity response (DTH), percentage neutrophil adhesion, and in vivo phagocytosis by carbon clearance method was observed after treatment. Extract administration also increased the HA titer value and IgG antibodies. Discussion: Immunostimulant activity increased two-fold upon doubling the dosage of extract administered. While a significant (p <0.05) improvement was observed in the humoral component, a highly significant (p <0.01) effect was observed in the cellular components of the immunity evaluated. The results thus provide a basis for the use of A. pyrethrum as an adaptogen and immunomodulator in the Ayurvedic system of medicine.

Effect of Asparagus racemosus on sexual dysfunction in hyperglycemic male rats

Vajikaran rasayana (aphrodisiac) herbs of the Ayurvedic system of medicine have been advocated for improving failing sexual function in males (Thakur and Dixit, 2008). Diabetes mellitus is a major cause of male reproductive function, possibly due to an increased oxidative stress. Fructans and fructoligosaccharides (FOS), which are also considered as functional food components, have been reported to produce a beneficial effect against oxidative stress. The aqueous extract of the roots of Asparagus racemosus Willd. (Liliaceae) rich in 2→1 type FOS were evaluated for their efficacy against streptozotocin and alloxan induced diabetes leading to sexual dysfunction in rats. The behavioral analysis of rats was undertaken to observe the effect on mount, ejaculation and intromission latencies as well as frequencies, hesitation time and copulatory rate. It was observed that streptozotocin as well as alloxan induced hyperglycemic rats showed an overall reduced sexual performance. The deleterious effect was significantly ameliorated in animals treated with polysaccharide-rich fraction of A. racemosus. The study validates the traditional claim of using A. racemosus as an aphrodisiac herb for treating sexual dysfunction in males.

Effect of Some Ayurvedic Vajikaran Rasayana Herbs on Heat Induced Testicular Damage in Male Albino Rats

Modern society is phased with a number of environmental and social stressors which may lead to one form of sexual dysfunction or the other. Global warming and exposure to heat is one such phenomenon. A study was conducted to determine the testicular damage in male rats following exposure to high temperatures and the preventive effect of some of Ayurvedic herbs known for their sexual health benefits (Vajikaran) against heat induced testicular damage. Scrotal sacs of male rats were subjected to a 15 min exposure by dipping in water bath maintained at 40± 2 deg C daily for 14 days. The histo-architecture and the overall spermatogenesis profile was considerably prevented in rats treated with lyophilized aqueous extracts of Asparagus racemosus Willd., Chlorophytum borivilianum Sant. F., Curculigo orchioides Gaertn., Dactylorhiza hatagirea (D. Don) Soo and Orchis latifolia Linn.(200 mg/Kg b. w.) as compared to control group animals which were administered vehicle only. The differently treated groups were also subjected to evaluation of sexual behavior. The treatment with extracts results in significant amelioration of sexual behavior and the mount, intromission and ejaculatory latencies were significantly reduced while the frequencies for the same parameter were significantly restored in rats exposed to heat and treated with extracts as compared to heat exposed control group alone. Epididymal sperm count was reduced significantly in heat treated control group animals, whereas the extracts significantly prevented the decrease in sperm count in rats as compared to positive control group, exposed to heat. The results are therefore clear indication of the possible role of these herbs in protecting the genital organs against physical stresses viz. heat.

Pueraria tuberosa DC Extract Improves Androgenesis and Sexual Behavior via FSH LH Cascade

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of ethanolic extract of Pueraria tuberosa (PT) on sexual behaviour and androgenic activity. Male albino rats were divided into four groups of six animals each: control group 1 (2% acacia solution), PT-treated group 2 (50 mg/Kg), PT-treated group 3 (100 mg/Kg), and PT-treated group 4 (150 mg/Kg). Sexual behavior of male rats in the presence of a female rat was recorded. The treated groups were evaluated for sexual parameters. The extract was characterized using LC-MS. The effect of treatment on anabolic and weight of secondary sexual organs was determined. The histological changes in section of testis and epididymis after treatment were observed. Sperm count in epididymis and fructose content in seminal vesicles were also measured. Levels of hormones like FSH, LH, and T were determined. A dose-dependent increase in sexual behaviors was evidenced in the animals of extract treated groups. Increase in testis weight was recorded in PT. At the highest dose PT also affects the hormones level. The four compounds namely puerarin, daidzein, biochanin-A and formononetin were identified in ethanolic extract using LC-MS. It concluded that PT extract possesses androgenic effect and it significantly increased the sexual behaviour and hormones level.