Chemically characterised extract of Saraca asoca improves the sexual function in male Wistar rats

In this study, methanolic extract of Saraca asoca bark was evaluated for its aphrodisiac potential using male and female Wistar albino rats. Male rats were dosed daily for 54 days at a dose of 100 mg/kg p.o. Sexual activity of male rats was assessed after 14, 28, 42 and 54 days of the study. Male rats were placed in a glass chamber lit with a dim red light (10W) followed by the introduction of sexually receptive female rats in a ratio of 1:1. Improvement in sexual behaviour of male rats was characterised by an increase in both mount frequency and intromission frequency and decrease or reduction in mount latency and intromission latency compared to normal control. After completion of the study, the effect of the S. asoca extract on sperm count, sperm motility and sperm morphology was also assessed. The extract of S. asoca bark was found to be safe as it did not affect these sperm parameters. From this study, it was found that methanolic extract of S. asoca bark plays a role in enhancing sexual behaviour and potential without causing reproductive toxicity.