Bulbine natalensis plant, does it benefit as a sexual enhancing herb?
Medicinal uses of bulbine natalensis
Some people use this herb as a first-aid remedy for mosquito bites, cold sores,
mouth ulcers, and other minor skin conditions. One study in rodents indicates
this herb to have
aphrodisiac properties.
As of April 2010, we have not seen human research with bulbine natalensis herb.
Bulbine natalensis herb sexual
properties
Effect of aqueous extract of Bulbine natalensis (Baker)
stem on the sexual behaviour of male rats.
Int J Androl. 2008 Aug 15. Yakubu MT, Afolayan AJ. Yakubu MT, Afolayan AJ.
Centre for Phytomedicine Research, Department of Botany, University of Fort
Hare, Alice, South Africa.
The phytochemical constituents of aqueous extract of Bulbine natalensis (Baker)
stem and its effect on male rat sexual behaviour were evaluated for 7 days.
Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of saponins, cardiac glycoside,
tannins, alkaloids and anthraquinones. Administration of the extract at the
doses of 25 and 50 mg/kg body weight resulted in the significant increase in
mount frequency, intromission frequency, ejaculatory latency, ejaculation
frequency, serum testosterone and luteinizing hormone concentrations, computed
indices of sexual behaviour, erection, quick flips, long flips and total penile
reflexes whereas the mount latency, intromission latency and post-ejaculatory
interval were significantly decreased throughout the experimental period. The
100 mg/kg body weight of the extract produced contrasting pattern to the lower
doses of the extract in all the parameters of sexual behavior monitored
throughout the experimental period. The results are indicative of prosexual
stimulatory potentials of Bulbine natalensis in male rats. The aqueous extract
of Bulbine natalensis stem at these doses (25 and 50 mg/kg body weight) may be
used in the management of disorders of desire/libido, premature ejaculation and
erectile dysfunction in males.
Effect of Bulbine natalensis Baker stem extract on the
functional indices and histology of the liver and kidney of male Wistar rats.
J Med Food. 2009 Aug; Afolayan AJ, Yakubu MT. Centre for Phytomedicine
Research, Department of Botany, University of Fort Hare, Alice, South Africa.
The effects of aqueous extract of Bulbine natalensis Baker stem at 25, 50,
and 100 mg/kg of body weight for 14 days on the functional indices of liver and
kidney as well as the histology of the rat organs were evaluated. The extract
did not significantly (P < .05) alter the total protein, sodium, potassium,
chloride, calcium, magnesium, uric acid, and creatinine levels in the serum of
rats. However, the 50 and 100 mg/kg of body weight doses reduced the liver- and
kidney-body weight ratios by the end of the experimental period. While the
extract increased the activities of liver gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT),
alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine and aspartate aminotransferase (ALT and AST,
respectively), and total bilirubin, globulin, and urea, the levels of albumin,
conjugated bilirubin, inorganic phosphorus, and kidney ALP and GGT decreased.
The activities of serum ALP, GGT, ALT, and AST also increased throughout the
experimental period. The extract produced higher effects on the liver functional
indices (39%) than the kidney parameters (21%). Histological examination
revealed slight distortions in the architecture of the liver lobules as well as
proximal and convoluted tubules of the kidney. The alterations produced in some
of the functional indices as well as in the hepatorenal architecture may
adversely affect the normal hepatic and renal functions. The parameter-specific
effect of the extract suggests selective toxicity. This is an indication that
the extract is not completely "safe" as an oral remedy.
home supplement herbal medications