Aphrodisiac potentials of the aqueous extract of Fadogia agrestis(Schweinf.Ex Hiern) stem in male albino rats

Aim： To evaluate the phytochemical constituents and the agrestis （Rubiaceae） stem in male albino rats. Methods： aphrodisiac potential of the aqueous extract of Fadogia The aqueous stem extract of the plant was screened for phytochemical constituents. Male rats were orally dosed with 18 mg/kg, 50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg body weight, respectively, of the extract at 24 h intervals and their sexual behavior parameters and serum testosterone concentration were evaluated at days 1, 3 and 5. Results： Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids and saponins while anthraquinones and flavonoids are weakly present. All the doses resulted in significant increase in mount frequency, intromission frequency and significantly prolonged the ejaculatory latency （P 〈 0.05） and reduced mount and intromission latency （P 〈 0.05）. There was also a significant increase in serum testosterone concentrations in all the groups in a manner suggestive of dose-dependence （P 〈 0.05）. Conclusion： The aqueous extract of Fadogia agrestis stem increased the blood testosterone concentrations and this may be the mechanism responsible for its aphrodisiac effects and various masculine behaviors. It may be used to modify impaired sexual functions in animals, especially those arising from hypotestosteronemia.

Antioxidant and Antiplasmodial Activities of Extracts from <i>Gardenia erubescens</i>Stapf et Hutch. and <i>Fadogia agrestis</i>Schweinf. ex Hiern. (Rubiaceae)

Two medicinal plants, Gardenia erubescens and Fadogia agrestis were selected to evaluate their biological activities. Their total phenolic and flavonoid contents were assessed using folin-ciocalteu and aluminum chloride regents’ methods. The antioxidant activity was estimated using DPPH (1,1-diphényl-2-picrylhydrazyl), ABTS (2,2’-azinobis-[3-ethylenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid]) and FRAP (ferric reducing antioxidant power). The antiplasmodial activity of the extracts was determined in vivo on 42 NMRI mice. The results indicate that all the extracts from both two plants contain some polyphenols. The ethanolic extract of the leaves of Gardenia erubescens showed the best antioxidant activity by the method of DPPH. The aqueous extracts of the leaves of Gardenia erubescens and the whole plant of Fadogia agrestis have a reducing power similar to control (quercetin). All the extracts have a low capacity to scavenge the ABTS radical cation compared to the controls (trolox and quercetin). Concerning the antiplasmodial activity, all the extracts presented moderate antiplamodial activities. This result could justify the traditional uses of Gardenia erubescens and Fadogia agrestis to treat of malaria in Burkina Faso.