PENILE ERECTILE PROPERTIES AND ELEMENTAL ANALYSIS OF THE METHANOLIC SEED EXTRACT OF GARCINIA KOLA (HECKEL) IN SOME EXPERIMENTAL ANIMALS
The search for pharmacological agents that increase male virility which can address issues of erectile dysfunction remains novel because of their significance in healthy life span of the males. Plant-based pharmaceuticals are targets because of their availability and cost-effectiveness. The effects of the methanolic seed extract of Garciniakola were investigated at different oral doses (125, 250 & 500 mg/kg body weight) and duration (20 & 60 days) in male wistar rats. The extract was also tested in vitro on phenylephrine pre-contracted corpus cavernosum smooth muscles of the rabbit. Elemental analysis of the extract was also carried out.Results of the findings showed that the extract at the dose of 250 mg/kg b. wt significantly increased the frequency of mount , intromission and ejaculation in both duration of administration compared to control (P<0.05). These effects were independently affected by dose and duration of treatments. Similarly, the mean number of litters per female rats paired with male rats treated with the extract was highest with that which received 250 mg/kg for both durations and lowest with 500 mg/kg. The extract caused a concentration-dependent relaxation of an isolated corpus cavernosum while the elemental analysis revealed the presence of Cu, Fe, Zn, Mg, K and Na. The results in general support the traditional claim of the usefulness of Garcinia kola seeds in the management of erectile dysfunction. However, we suggest the moderation of such use against the findings that usage for longer durations and in high doses will not confer any advantage but deleterious effects.