Aphrodisiac activity and curative effects of ethanolic extracts of Ipomoea carnea against sexual behavior on prolonged immobilization-induced stress in rodents

The present study was designed to investigate the aphrodisiac activity of the ethanolic extract of Ipomoea carnea leaves. Aphrodisiacs can be categorized according to their mode of action into three groups: substances that increase libido (i.e., sexual desire, arousal), substances that increase sexual potency (i.e., effectiveness of erection) and substances that increase sexual pleasure. Therefore, the search for a better tolerated aphrodisiac agent appears to be a necessity. The aphrodisiac activity was evaluated in various experimental animal models like Effect on fertility in mice, Effect on sperm properties in mice and Sexual behaviour on prolonged immobilization stress in rats.The ethanolic extract of Ipomoea carnea leaves even up to the dose level of 2000mg/kg. It has not produced any lethal effect. In Effect on fertility model, ethanolic extract of Ipomoea carnea leaves only 200 & 400 mg/kg dose treated groups but not 100 mg/kg dose had shown a significant increase in litter size but no effect on M/F ratio. Ethanolic extract of Ipomoea carnea leaves was tested for its effect on sperm properties with different dose levels and all doses (100,200 & 400 mg/kg) have shown a significant increase in spermatogenic activity with scant intertubular spaces between the tubules. Sexual behaviour in prolonged immobilization stress induced model, a significant increase in number of mounts and thrusting and decrease in mounting latency were recorded with 200 & 400 mg/kg treated doses only but not with 100 mg/kg treated group. The present investigation revealed that the ethanolic extract of Ipomoea carnea leaves was found to possess aphrodisiac activity.