Fadogia agrestis herb tested in animal studies for libido enhancement

Fadogia agrestis has been found to have aphrodisiac benefits in rodent studies.

As of October 2009, we have not seen human studies with Fadogia agrestis herb.

Fadogia agrestis herb sexual benefits
Aphrodisiac potentials of the aqueous extract of Fadogia agrestis (Schweinf. Ex Hiern) stem in male albino rats.
Asian J Androl. 2005 Dec;7(4):399-404. Yakubu MT, Akanji MA, Oladiji AT. Medicinal Plants Research Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, University of Ilorin, PMB 1515, Ilorin, Nigeria.
To evaluate the phytochemical constituents and the aphrodisiac potential of the aqueous extract of Fadogia agrestis (Rubiaceae) stem in male albino rats. The aqueous stem extract of the plant was screened for phytochemical constituents. Male rats were orally dosed with 18 mg/kg, 50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg body weight, respectively, of the extract at 24 h intervals and their sexual behavior parameters and serum testosterone concentration were evaluated at days 1, 3 and 5. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids and saponins while anthraquinones and flavonoids are weakly present. All the doses resulted in significant increase in mount frequency, intromission frequency and significantly prolonged the ejaculatory latency (P 0.05) and reduced mount and intromission latency. There was also a significant increase in serum testosterone concentrations in all the groups in a manner suggestive of dose-dependence. The aqueous extract of Fadogia agrestis stem increased the blood testosterone concentrations and this may be the mechanism responsible for its aphrodisiac effects and various masculine behaviors. It may be used to modify impaired sexual functions in animals, especially those arising from hypotestosteronemia.

Fadogia agrestis caution and safety concerns
Effects of oral administration of aqueous extract of Fadogia agrestis (Schweinf. Ex Hiern) stem on some testicular function indices of male rats.
J Ethnopharmacol. 2008 Jan 17; Yakubu MT, Akanji MA, Oladiji AT.Medicinal Plants Research Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, University of Ilorin, P.M.B. 1515 Ilorin, Nigeria.
The effects of administration of aqueous extract of Fadogia agrestis (Schweinf. Ex Hiern) stem on some testicular function indices of male rats (Rattus norvegicus) and their recovery potentials for 10 days were investigated. Compared with the control, extract administration for 28 days at all the doses resulted in significant increase in percentage testes-body weight ratio, testicular cholesterol, sialic acid, glycogen, acid phosphatase and gamma-glutamyl transferase activities while there was significant decrease in the activities of testicular alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase, glutamate dehydrogenase and concentrations of protein. Recoveries were made by the animals on some of the testicular function indices mainly at 18 mg/kg body weight. The alterations brought about by the aqueous extract of Fadogia agrestis stem are indications of adverse effects on the male rat testicular function and this may adversely affect the functional capacities of the testes. The recovery made at the dose of 18 mg/kg body weight as used in folklore medicine suggests that it does not exhibit permanent toxicity at this dose.

Aphrodisiac herbs available over the counter
These include maca, tongkat ali, butea superba, cnidium monnieri, tribulus terrestris extract, mucuna pruriens, horny goat weed, avena sativa, LJ100, muira puama, catuaba, ginger, cistanches, and yohimbe bark extract.

Mode of cellular toxicity of aqueous extract of Fadogia agrestis (Schweinf. Ex Hiern) stem in male rat liver and kidney.
Hum Exp Toxicol. 2009 Aug; Yakubu MT, Oladiji AT, Akanji MA. Phytomedicine and Toxicology Research Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria.
The mode of cellular toxicity of aqueous extract of Fadogia agrestis stem in male rats was investigated. Rats were grouped into four: A, B, C and D where A (the control) received orally 1 mL of distilled water; B, C and D (test groups) received orally 18, 50 and 100 mg/kg body weight of the extract, respectively, for 28 days. Infrared spectroscopy indicated the presence of hydroxyl (OH) and primary amine (CONH). Clinical toxicity symptoms such as respiratory distress, epistasis, salivation, hypo- and hyperactivity were not observed at any period of the experiment. No mortality was also recorded. Extract administration significantly reduced (p < .05) the activities of alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase and gamma glutamyl transferase in the liver and kidney with corresponding increases in the serum. Serum malondialdehyde also increased significantly in all the extract-treated groups. The liver and kidney body weight ratios of the extract-treated animals compared well with their controls throughout the experimental period. The extract did not cause any swelling, atrophy or hypertrophy of the organs. The other evidence in this study suggests disruption of the ordered lipid bilayer of the plasma membranes of the hepatocytes and nephrons. This might have resulted from peroxidation of the polyunsaturated fatty acids on the membranes of the hepatocytes and nephrons made possible by the functional groups or the product of metabolism of the extract. This may be responsible for the compromise of the integrity of the plasma membranes of the hepatocytes and nephrons.