Curculigo orchioides herb used medicinally by Ayurvedic doctors

Curculigo orchioides has been used for its aphrodisiac benefits in India.

As of Feb 2010, we have not seen human studies with Curculigo orchioides herb.

Curculigo orchioides sexual effects
Effect of Curculigo orchioides rhizomes on sexual behaviour of male rats.
Fitoterapia. 2007 December. Chauhan NS, Rao ChV, Dixit VK.Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Dr. H.S. Gour University Sagar (M.P.), India.
The rhizomes of Curculigo orchioides have been traditionally used as aphrodisiac. In the present study ethanolic extract of rhizomes was evaluated for its effect on sexual behavior in rats. Administration of 100 mg/kg of extract change significantly the sexual behavior as assessed by determining parameters such as penile erection, mating performance, mount frequency and mount latency. Moreover a pronounced anabolic and spermatogenic effect was evidenced by weight gains of reproductive organs. The treatment also markedly affected sexual behavior of animals as reflected in reduction of mount latency, an increase in mount frequency and enhanced attractability towards female. Penile erection index was also incremented in treated group.

A Comparative Study on Aphrodisiac Activity of Some Ayurvedic Herbs in Male Albino Rats.
Arch Sex Behav. 2009 Jan 13. 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 and immunostimulatory properties. Our results support the folklore claim for the usefulness of these herbs and provide a scientific basis for their purported traditional usage.

The effect of curculigoside on the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-1 in cultured human skin fibroblasts.
Arch Pharm Res. 2009 Oct; College of Pharmacy, Chosun University, Gwangju, Korea.
The dried rhizomes of Curculigo orchioides G. yielded two phenolic glycosides, curculigoside, orcinol-beta-D-glucoside (4), and two cycloartane saponins, curculigosaponin G (2), curculigosaponin I (3). The structures were determined using spectroscopic methods. Among these isolates, compound 1 exhibited potent inhibitory activity against matrix metalloproteinase-1 in cultured human skin fibroblasts. In addition, it increased the level of Bcl-2 protein expression and decreased the level of Bax protein expression. Compound 4 was isolated from this plant for the first time.