Chlorophytum borivilianum - Safed Musli herb used in India

Chlorophytum borivilianum is being promoted as a sexual enhancement herb and has historically been used as an aphrodisiac herb in India. Chlorophytum borivilianum is also known as safed musli.

As of May 2010, we have not seen human research with Chlorophytum borivilianum herb.

Chlorophytum borivilianum: a white gold for biopharmaceuticals and neutraceuticals.
Curr Pharm Biotechnol. 2009 Nov; Thakur GS, Bag M, Sanodiya BS, Debnath M, Zacharia A, Bhadauriya P, Prasad GB, Bisen PS. Research and Development Centre, Bisen Biotech and Biopharma Pvt. Ltd., Biotech Research Park, M-7, Laxmipuram, Transport Nagar, Gwalior (M.P.), India.
Chlorophytum borivilianum Santapau & Fernandes (Liliaceae) also known as 'Safed Musli' is a traditional rare Indian medicinal herb which has many therapeutic applications in Ayurvedic, Unani, Homeopathic and Allopathic system of medicine. Its roots (tubers) are widely used for various therapeutic applications. It is used to cure physical illness and weakness, as an aphrodisiac agent and revitalizer, as general sex tonic, remedy for diabetes, arthritis and increasing body immunity, curative for natal and postnatal problems, for rheumatism and joint pains, increase lactation in feeding mothers, as antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antitumor agent, also used in diarrhea, dysentery, gonorrhea, leucorrhea etc. It has spermatogenic property and is found useful in curing impotency, now it is considered as an alternative 'Viagra'. Its root contains steroidal and triterpenoidal saponins, sapogenins and fructans which act as therapeutic agents and play vital role in many therapeutic applications. It is a rich source of over 25 alkaloids, vitamins, proteins, carbohydrates, steroids, saponins, potassium, calcium, magnesium, phenol, resins, mucilage, and polysaccharides and also contains high quantity of simple sugars, mainly sucrose, glucose, fructose, galactose, mannose and xylose.

Aphrodisiac properties of Chlorophytum borivilianum
Effects of Chlorophytum borivilianum on sexual behaviour and sperm count in male rats.
Phytother Res. 2008 Jun; Kenjale R, Shah R, Sathaye S. Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Mumbai University Institute of Chemical Technology, Matunga, Mumbai 400019, India.
This study was designed to evaluate the aphrodisiac and spermatogenic potential of the aqueous extract of dried roots of Chlorophytum borivilianum in rats. Roots of Chlorophytum borivilianum can be useful in the treatment of certain forms of sexual inadequacies, such as premature ejaculation and oligospermia.

A Comparative Study on Aphrodisiac Activity of Some Ayurvedic Herbs in Male Albino Rats.
Arch Sex Behav. 2009 January. Thakur M, Chauhan NS, Bhargava S, Dixit VK. Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Dr. H. S. Gour University, Sagar, MP, 470003, India.
The roots of Asparagus racemosus, Chlorophytum borivilianum, and rhizomes of Curculigo orchioides are popular for their aphrodisiac properties. The herbs have been traditionally used as Vajikaran Rasayana herbs because of their putative positive influence on sexual performance in humans. Lyophilized aqueous extracts obtained from the roots of A. racemosus, Chlorophytum borivilianum, and rhizomes of C. orchioides were studied for sexual behavior effects in male albino rats and compared with untreated control group animals. Administration of 200 mg/kg body weight of the aqueous extracts had pronounced anabolic effect in treated animals as evidenced by weight gains in the body and reproductive organs. There was a significant variation in the sexual behavior of animals as reflected by reduction of mount latency, ejaculation latency, post ejaculatory latency, intromission latency, and an increase of mount frequency. Penile erection (indicated by Penile Erection Index) was also considerably enhanced. Reduced hesitation time (an indicator of attraction towards female in treated rats) also indicated an improvement in sexual behavior of extract treated animals. The observed effects appear to be attributable to the testosterone-like effects of the extracts. Nitric oxide based intervention may also be involved as observable from the improved penile erection. The present results, therefore, support the folklore claim for the sexual enhancing properties of Chlorophytum borivilianum and these herbs and provide a scientific basis for their traditional usage.

Effect of Chlorophytum Borivilianum Santapau and Fernandes on sexual dysfunction in hyperglycemic male rats.
Chin J Integr Med. 2009 Dec; Thakur M, Bhargava S, Praznik W, Loeppert R, Dixit VK. Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Dr. Hari Singh Gour University, Sagar, Madhya Pradesh, India.
To investigate the effects of Chlorophytum borivilianum on sexual dysfunction, loss of body weight, and lack of libido in hyperglycemic rats induced with streptozotocin or alloxan. Wistar strain male albino rats were divided into five groups of six animals each: the control group (2% polyvinylpyrollidone solution), the streptozotocin control group (50 mg/kg), the alloxan control group (100 mg/kg), the streptozotocin + CB treated group (200 mg/kg), and the alloxan + CB treated group (200 mg/kg). CB can significantly ameliorate diabetes-induced sexual dysfunction. Polysaccharide and saponin-rich aqueous extract appears to have the most suitable effects on diabetes and its associated effects on sexual functionality.

Cytotoxic spirostane-type saponins from the roots of Chlorophytum borivilianum.
J Nat Prod. 2009 Jan; Acharya D, Mitaine-Offer AC, Kaushik N, Miyamoto T, Paululat T, Mirjolet JF, Duchamp O, Lacaille-Dubois MA. Laboratoire de Pharmacognosie, Unite de Molecules d'Interet Biologique, UMIB UPRES-EA 3660, Faculte de Pharmacie, Universite de Bourgogne, 21079 Dijon Cedex, France.
Four new spirostane-type saponins named borivilianosides E-H were isolated from an ethanol extract of the roots of Chlorophytum borivilianum together with two known steroid saponins. The cytotoxicity of borivilianosides F, G, and H) and three known compounds was evaluated using two human colon cancer cell lines (HT-29 and HCT 116).