Aframomum melegueta herb improves sexual behavior, known as Grains of Paradise, review of safety and toxicity
Aframomum melegueta is a species in the ginger family, Zingiberaceae. It is commonly known as Guinea pepper, Melegueta pepper, alligator pepper and Guinea grains. Grains of paradise, a West African spice that gives a pungent, peppery flavor, is obtained from this plant. It is a herbaceous perennial plant native to swampy habitats along the West African coast.
As of Jan 2010, we did not find published studies with Aframomum melegueta herb in humans.
Toxicity, safety
Toxicological evaluation of Grains of Paradise (Aframomum melegueta) [Roscoe] K.
Schum.
J Ethnopharmacol. 2010 Feb 3; Ilic N, Schmidt BM, Poulev A, Raskin I.
Phytomedics, Inc, 1085 Cranbury South River Rd, Suite #8, Jamesburg, NJ 08831,
USA.
Grains of Paradise (Aframomum melegueta [Roscoe] K. Schum.) seeds are used in
West Africa as a remedy for variety of ailments such as stomach ache, snakebite,
diarrhea and they have reported anti-inflammatory properties. Additionally, the
seeds contain gingerols and related compounds that may be useful against
cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and inflammation. A 28-day sub-chronic
toxicity study in male and female Sprague-Dawley rats was conducted to evaluate
the safety of a Grains of Paradise extract. An ethanolic extract of the seeds
was evaluated for toxicological effect on rats. A dose-related increase in
absolute and relative liver weights was observed in males and females dosed with
450 and 1500 mg/kg. There was a corresponding increase in alkaline phosphatase
with no signs of steatosis or cirrhosis. At the same doses, there was a
significant decrease in blood glucose in male rats. This study shows that Grains
of Paradise extract may be useful as a treatment for diabetes, however liver
toxicity should be considered.
Further pharmacological studies on aqueous seed extract of Aframomum
melegueta in rats.
J Ethnopharmacol. 2008 February. Umukoro S, Ashorobi BR. Department of
Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan,
Nigeria.
This present study investigates the effect of an aqueous seed extract of
Aframomum melegueta, on leukocytes migration and on phenylhydrazine-treated rat
red blood cells (RBC). The effect of Aframomum melegueta on the number of white
blood cells (WBC), in inflammatory exudates, was assessed by utilizing the
granuloma air pouch model, for chronic inflammation in carrageenin-treated rats.
The results suggest that Aframomum melegueta possess membrane-stabilizing
activity, along with anti-oxidant property and may also have a modifying effect,
on the responses of WBC to tissue injury.
Effects of Aframomum melegueta and Piper guineense on sexual behaviour of
male rats.
Behav Pharmacol. 2002 May. Kamtchouing P, Mbongue GY, Dimo T, Watcho P, Jatsa HB,
Sokeng SD. Laboratoire de Physiologie Animale, Faculté des Sciences, Université
de Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroun.
The effects of aqueous extracts of Aframomum melegueta and Piper guineense on
the sexual behaviour of male rats were studied, considering many criteria, such
as penile erection, copulatory behaviour and orientation activities towards
themselves (genital grooming) and female rats (ano-genital sniffing, mounting).
For 8 days different groups of rats received a daily administration of distilled
water (control) or a plant extract: Aframomum melegueta at 115 mg/kg or P.
guineense at 122.5 mg/kg. Both plant extracts stimulated male sexual behaviour.
In fact, Aframomum melegueta and P. guineense significantly increased penile
erection index, and the frequencies of intromission and ejaculation. These plant
extracts were found to enhance the orientation of males towards females by
increasing mounting and ano-genital investigatory behaviour. Results of this
study showed that Aframomum melegueta and P. guineense modified the sexual
behaviour of male rats by increasing sexual arousal.
Aphrodisiac herbs available over
the counter
These include maca, tongkat ali, butea superba, cnidium monnieris, tribulus terrestris extract,
mucuna pruriens, horny goat weed, avena sativa,
eurycoma LJ100, muira puama, catuaba,
ginger, and yohimbe bark extract.
Aphrodisiacs natural home supplement herbs