Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry

ISSN 2278- 4136 ZDB-Number: 2668735-5

IC Journal No: 8192 Volume 1 Issue 4

Online Available at

Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry

An Overview on Traditional Medicinal Plants as Aphrodisiac Agent

Ramandeep Singh1 *, Sarabjeet Singh2, G. Jeyabalan2 , Ashraf Ali2

1. Department of Pharmacy, Himachal institute of Pharmacy, Paonta Sahib (H.P), India. [E-mail: ramandeep_pharma@]

2. Department of Pharmacy, Sunrise University, Alwar, Rajasthan, India.

This paper presents a review of plants identified from various ethno botanical surveys and folklore medicinal survey with aphrodisiac activity. An aphrodisiac is defined as an agent that arouses sexual desire. Erectile dysfunction (ED) or male impotence is defined as the inability of a man to achieve and maintain an erection sufficient for mutually satisfactory intercourse with his partner. Sexual health and function are important determinants of quality of life. To overcome the problem of Male sexual (or) erectile dysfunction various natural aphrodisiac plants potentials are preferred. This review discuss about aphrodisiac potential of plants, its botanical name, Common name, family, part used and references, which are helpful for researcher to development new herbal aphrodisiac formulations. Keyword: Erectile Dysfunction, Male Impotence, Aphrodisiac, Herbal Drugs, Sexual Dysfunction.

1. Introduction Aphrodisiac is the word derived from Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of sexual, love and beauty. An aphrodisiac is defined as an agent (food or drug) that arouses sexual desire. From time immemorial man's endeavour have been to increase his sexual powers. When man did not know metals and used only stones he exhibited his sexual powers by ritual dances accompanied by hunting. This lead early man was motivated by his quest for food, sex and self-preservation. The possibility of bioactive aphrodisiacs which may be derived from plants, animals or minerals, has been attractive throughout recorded history. Aphrodisiac are mentioned there as Vajikaranas, the word vaji meaning horse and karanta meaning making i.e. Measure to excite lust by charms etc. Many natural substances have historically been known as aphrodisiacs in Africa and Europe, such as Yohimbine and the Mandrake plant, as well as

ground Rhinoceros horn in the Chinese culture and "Spanish fly" which is actually toxic[13].Sexual relationships are some of the most important social and biological relationship in human life. Male impotence also called Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common medical condition that affects the sexual life of millions of men worldwide[4-5]. Erectile dysfunction is defined as the persistent inability to obtain and maintain an erection sufficient for naturally satisfactory intercourse. Sexual dysfunction is a serious medical and social symptom that occurs in 1052% of men and 25-63% of women. It is the repeated inability to achieve normal sexual intercourse male impotence (or) ED is a significant problem that may contribute to infertility function decreases spontaneously with advanced aging[6]. It occurs commonly in middle aged and older men. Erectile dysfunction is adversely affected by diabetes mellitus,

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Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry

antihypertensive, antipsychotic, antidepressant therapeutic drugs. Organic causes of ED like Hypogonadism, hyperprolactinaemia, and neurological disorders. Treatment of ED involves several natural aphrodisiac potentials. Aphrodisiac is described as any substance that enhances sexual pleasure. Sexual dysfunction caused by various factors such as psychological disorders like Anxiety, depression, stress, fear of sex, neurological disorders, stroke, cerebral trauma, Alzheimer, Parkinson's disease and chronic disorders?diabetes, hypertension, vascular insufficiency, Atherosclerosis, penile disease?phinosis, peyronies, life style?chronic alcohol abuse, cigarette smoking, aging, decrease in hormone level with age. Systemic diseases ? cardiac, hepatic, renal, pulmonary, and cancer[7].

The importance of sexuality in human life is well recognized in the Ancient Indian medicine ayurveda as an entire specially is devoted to it under the name "Vijakarna" or virilification therapy. Vijakarna therapy includes aphrodisiacs for erectile dysfunction, causes of infertility, spermatogenesis, semenogenesis, reproduction, methods of correcting defective semen and sexual satisfaction[8].

1.1 Mechanism involved in Aphrodisiac potentials On sexual stimulation (visual (or) otherwise the famines of the axons of parasympathetic nerves release nitric oxide (NO) gas. The gas diffuses into smooth muscle cells that line those arteries of the corpus cavernosum (spongy erectile tissue) and activates the enzyme guanylate cyclase (GC). The later converts the nucleotide guanosine triphosphate (GTP) into cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). The cGMP in turn causes the smooth muscle cells around the penis to relax, leading to dilation and increased flux of blood into the penile tissue. This blood is essentially trapped in the penis and results in an erection. The erection ceases after a while because cGMP is hydrolyzed by phosphodiesterase type-5 enzyme (PDE-5) into inactive GMP. (The PDE-5 enzyme resides in the penile tissues). Aphrodisiac potentials inhibit the hydrolyzing action of PDE-5 with the result that active cGMP can accumulate. `Undisturbed' and prolong the erection through increased blood flow[9-10].

Traditional Plants Containing Aphrodisiac Potentials

Sr. Name of Plant

Common name

No.

1.

Abelmoschus esculantus (L.) Bhindi

2.

Abelmoschus moschatus

Musk mallow

3.

Abrus precatorius Linn.

Ganja

4.

Abrus precatorius L.

Crab's Eye

5.

Abutilon indicum (Linn.)

Thuthi

6.

Acacia catechu Willd.

Catechu

7.

Acacia nilotica L. Willd.

Gum Arabic tree

8.

Achyranthes aspera Linn.

Apamarg, Latjeera

9.

Aconitum heterophyllum Wall. Attesh

10. Acorus calamus Linn.

Sweet flag

11. Actiniopteris radiata Sw.

Morshikha

12. Adenanthera pavonina

Baragunchi

Family

Part used

Reference

Malvaceae

Root

Malvaceae

Seed

Fabaceae

Seed

Papilionaceae

Seed

Malvaceae

Seed, root, bark, leaf

Mimosaceae

Heartwood

Fabaceae

Bark

Amaranthaceae Root

Ranunculaceae Root

Araceae

Rhizome

Actinopteridaceae Whole plant

Mimosaceae

Bark, seeds, leaves

[11] [12-13] [14] [15-16] [12] [12,18] [19] [11] [11] [20-21] [22] [23]

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Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry

13. Alchornea floribunda Mull. 14. Allium tuberosum 15. Allium sativum L. 16. Allium cepa L. 17. Aloe excels Berger

Niando Chinese chive Garlic Piaz Zimbabwe Aloe

Euphorbiaceae Root

Zingiberaceae

Seed

Liliaceae

Bulb

Liliaceae

Bulb

Asphodelaceae Leaf

[24] [25-26] [12,14,28] [105] [29]

19. Aloe vera L.

20. Alpinia galanga Willd. 21. Amaranthus spinosus L. 22. Anacyclus pyrethrum

Dhritkumari

Java galangal Chaulai Akarakarabha

Liliaceae

Zingiberaceae Amaranthaceae

Gel extracted from leaves Rhizome Leaves, Whole plant

[105]

[30] [11]

Compositae

Root

[31]

23. Asparagus racemosus Willd. Asparagus

24. Arachis hypogaea Linn.

Peanut

25. Argyreia nervosa

Adhoguda

26. Artocarpus heterophyllus Linn. Jack tree

27. Aristolochia indica L. 28. Atylosia scarabaeoides L. 29. Azadirachita indica 30. Bacopa monnieri L.

Iswaramul Vantuvar Neem Brahmi

Liliaceae Fabaceae Convolvulaceae Moraceae

Aristolochiaceae Papilionaceae Meliaceae Scrophulariaceae

Root Seeds Root Fruit, Seed, Leaves, root Whole plant Whole Plant Root Whole plant

[32-33] [23] [34] [23]

[105] [105] [11 ] [11]

31. Bauhinia tomentosa Linn.

Manja Mandaram

Caesalpiniaceae Seed

[12]

32. Bauhinia vahlii

Camel's Foot climber Caesalpiniaceae Seed

[12]

33. Bauhinia variegate Linn.

Bauhinia

Caesalpiniaceae Bark

[12]

34. Benincasa hispida

Ash gourd

Cucurbitaceae

Fruit

[12]

Cogn.

35. Blepharis edulis Linn.

Utangan/ Shikhi

Acanthaceae

Seeds

[35]

36. Boerhavia diffusa L. 37. Bombax ceiba Linn. 38. Boesenbergia

rotunda L. 39. Bryonia laciniosa Linn. 40. Bussea occidentalis 41. Butea frondosa Roxb. 42. Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.

Punarnava Silk-Cotton Tree Temu kunci

Nyctaginaceae Bombacaceae Zingeberaceae

Root Bark Rhizomes

Shivlingi Kpayeli Flame-of-the-forest Arhar

Cucurbitaceae Caesalpiniaceae Papilionaceae Fabaceae

Seed Bark, seed Whole plant Root

[11] [12] [25,36]

[105] [37] [12, 25] [11]

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Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry

43. Carica papaya L.

Papita

Caricaceae

Fruit

44. Cannabis indica L.

Indian hemp

Cannabinaceae Leaf

45. Cannabis sativa

Bhang

Cannabinaceae Leaf

46. Capparis erythrocarpus

Pitipiti

Capparidaceae Root

Isert.

47. Capsicum annuum L.

Capsicum

Solanaceae

Seed

48. Cassia mimosoides L.

Patwa ghas

Caesalpinaceae Seeds, Root

49. Cassia occidentalis Linn.

Kasondhi

Fabaceae

Leaf

50. Cassia sieberiana DC

African laburnum

Caesalpiniaceae Leaf

51. Celastrus paniculatus Willd.

Vandangul

Celastraceae

Seeds

52. Chenopodium album L.

White goosefoot

Chenopodiaceae Seed

53. Chlorophytum tuberosum

Safed musli

Liliaceae

Whole plant

Baker.

54. Chlorophytum arundinaceum Musli

Liliaceae

Root

55. Cissus quadrangularis Linn.

Edible stemmed vine Vitaceae

Root

56. Cocculus cordifolius Linn.

Guduchi

Menispermaceae Stem, leaf,

Root

57. Cocos nucifera Linn.

Coconut

Arecaceae

Endosperm

58. Cola acuminate Schott.

Cola

59. Cola caricaefolia G.Don

Baoguan Leaf

60. Cola gabonensis Schott & Endl. Kola nut

Malvaceae

Seed

Sterculiaceae

Leaf

Sterculiaceae

Fruit

61. Cola nitida Schott & Endl.

Kola nut

Sterculiaceae

Seed

62. Cola pachycarpa Schott &

Kola nut

Endl.

63. Cola rostrata Schott & Endl. Kola nut

64. Commiphora caudata Wt. & Emporium of

Arn.

medicinal plants

Sterculiaceae

Sterculiaceae Burseraceae

Seed

Seed Root, leaf

65. Commiphora mukul Hook. ex Stocks

66. Coriandrum sativum Linn. 67. Corynanthe pachycerus K

Schum.

Indian bdellium tree Burseraceae

Coriander Ivory coast

Apiaceae Rubiaceae

Root, leaf

Leaf Stem, Bark

[11] [38] [11 ] [39]

[40] [105] [41] [37] [105] [42-44] [45]

[105] [12] [46]

[14,47]

[48] [37] [24]

[24]

[24]

[24] [12]

[12]

[42] [39]

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Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry

68. Crocus sativus Linn.

Saffaron

Iridaceae

Stigma

69. Curcuma amada Roxb. 70. Curcuma angustifolia Roxb. 71. Curcuma aromatica Roxb. 72. Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) 73. Dactylorhiza

hatagirea (D. Don) Soo.

Mango ginger Tikhur Jangli haldi Lemongrass Marsh Orchid

Zingiberaceae Zingiberaceae Zingiberaceae Poaceae Orchidaceae

Rhizome Rhizome Rhizome Whole plant Root

74. Dalbergia sissoo Roxb 75. Daucus carota L.

Shisham Carrot

Fabaceae Umbelliferae

Wood Root

76. Desmodium gangeticum Linn.

Desmodium

Fabaceae

Root

(Papilionaceae)

77. Diodia scandens 78. Dioscorea bulbifera Linn 79. Diospyros melanoxylon

Roxb. 80. Dolichos lablab Linn. 81. Drypetes roxburghii (Wall.)

Huru.

Ivory coast abuse Wild Yam East Indian ebony

Flat bean, sem Putjev

Fabaceae Dioscoreaceae Ebenaceae

Roots Whole plant Flower

Fabaceae Euphorbiaceae

Seeds Leaf juice

82. Durio Zibethinus Murr. 83. Echinacea purpurea L.

Durian Fruit Indian head, comb flower

Bombacaceae Compositae

Fresh fruit Leaves

84. Ekerbegia capensis Sparrm.

Isongoroit

Meliaceae

Root

85. Emblica officinalis Gaertn.

Emblic

Euphorbiaceae Fruit

86. Eriodendron Anfractuosum DC.

White silk cotton tree

Bombaceae

Whole plant

87. Euadenia eminens Hook.f. 88. Euphorbia hirta L.

Dinsinkro Dudhi

Capparidaceae Euphorbiaceae

Root Leaves

[25] [12-13] [105] [105] [12] [20,49]

[41-42] [50] [12]

[108] [41] [12, 41] [23] [41]

[25,51] [52]

[29] [53-54] [46]

[39] [37]

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Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry

89. Eurycoma longifolia Jack

Tongkat Ali

90. Evolvulus alsinoides L.

Shankhahuli

91. Fadogia agrestis Schweinf.Ex Black aphrodisiac

Heim

92. Ferula hermonis

Shilsh-el-zallouh

93. Ficus arnottiana Miq.

Paras Pipal

94. Ficus racemosa L.

Gular

95. Ficus religiosa Linn.

Peepal tree

96. Ficus retusa

Chilkan

97. Ficus bengalensis L.

Bor

98. Flueggea virosa Roxb. ex

White-berry bush

Willd.

99. Garcinia afzelii Engl

Bitter kola

Simarubaceae Convolvulacae Rubiaceae

Whole plant Whole plant Stem

Umbelliferae Moraceae Moraceae Moraceae Moraceae Moraceae Euphorbiaceae

Root Bark Fruit Bark Latex Latex Whole Plant

Guttiferae

Bark

[55-63] [23] [64-65]

[66] [67] [11] [12] [68] [17] [48]

[37]

100. Garcinia kola Heckel 101. Gmelina arborea Roxb 102. Gossypium arboreum Linn.

103. Grewia asiatica L.

Bitter kola Coomb teak Kapas

Phalsa

Guttiferae Verbenaceae Malvaceae

Tiliaceae

Bark

[37]

Fruit

[12]

Bark, seeds, leaves, [23]

root

Fruit

[42]

104. Harissonia abyssinica Oliv

Zigua

Simaroubaceae Bark

[37]

105. Hibiscus rosa-sinensis

China rose

Malvaceae

Leaf

[12]

106. Hibiscus lobatus Murr.

Jungli Bhindi

107. Hibiscus sabdariffa Linn.

Roselle

108. Holostemma ada-kodien

Holostemma

Schult.

109. Hygrophila auriculata Schum. Katathua

Malvaceae Malvaceae Asclepiadaceae

Whole Plant Seed, leaf Root

Acanthaceae

Seeds

[105] [12] [12]

[105]

110. Hygrophila schulli (Ham.)

Marsh Barbel

Acanthaceae

Root, leaf, seed

[12]

111. Ipomoea mauritiana Jacq. 112. Jatropha curcas L. 113. Kaempferia parviflora 114. Lagenaria vulgaris Ser. 115. Landolphia dulcis

Giant potato Bakarandah Krachaidam Bottle gourd Hama-fufu

Convolvulaceae Euphorbiaceae Zingiberaceae Cucurbitaceae Apocynaceae

Root Seeds Rhizomes Fruit Root, Bark

[12] [105] [69] [12] [39]

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Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry

116. Linum usitatissimum L. 117. Litsea chinensis 118. Lycium barbarum 119. Mallotus philippensis Lam.

Alsi Medh Goji berry Rohini

120. Lepidium meyenii Walp. 121. Mangifera indica L. 122. Maranta arundinacea Linn. 123. Massularia acuminata 124. Mezoneuron benthamianum

Maca Mango Arrowroot Chewing stick Senegal

Linaceae Lauraceae Solanaceae Euphorbiaceae

Brassicaceae Anacardiaceae Zingiberaceae Rubiaceae Caesalpiniaceae

Seed Bark Polysaccharides Glandular hair on frutome Root Bark Rhizome Stem Twig or Stem

[11] [108] [108] [105]

[70-71] [12] [12] [72] [37]

125. Microdesmis keayana 126. Mimosa pudica L. 127. Mirabilis jalapa L.

Senegal Thottasiniki Four o' clock plant

Pandaceae Mimosoideae Nyctaginaceae

Roots Aerial part Root

[107] [73] [54]

128. Momordica charantia

Bitter Melon

Cucurbitaceae

Leaf

[74]

Descourt

129. Mondia whitei Linn.

White's ginger

Periplocaceae

Root

[75]

130. Montanoa tomentosa Cerv. 131. Morinda lucida 132. Mucuna pruriens Linn. DC. 133. Murdannia edulis Stokes 134. Myristica fragrans Houtt 135. Nerium indicum Mill.

Zoapatle Brimstonetree Poonai kali Siyamusli Nutmeg Kaner/Kanail

Asteraceae Rubiacaeae Fabaceae Commelinaceae Myristicaceae Apocynaceae

Whole plant Leaves Seed Dried root Seed Roots

[76] [77] [41] [105] [12, 25] [41]

136. Ocimum gratissimum

Vana Tulsi

Labiatae

Leaves

[12]

137. Orchis latifolia

Munjaataka

Orchidaceae

Roots

[78]

Linn.

138. Oxyantllus unilocularis

Ghana akan

Rubiaceae

Fruit, leaf

[37]

Hiern

139. Palisota hirusta K. Schum.

Ghana

Commelinaceae Leaf

[79]

140. Panax ginseng

Ginseng

Araliaceae

Root

[80]

141. Passiflora incarnate L.

Wild Passion Flower Passifloraceae

Leaf

[81]

142. Papaver somniferum L.

Poppy plant

Papaveraceae

Flower

[12]

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Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry

143. Pausinystalia yohimbe

Pierre

Rubiaceae

Bark

[82]

(K.Schum.)

Yohimbin

144. Pfaffia paniculata

Suma

Papilionaceae

145. Pedalium murex

Burra Gokhru

Pedaliaceae

146. Phyllanthus emblica L.

Aonla

Euphorbiaceae

147. Piper guineense Schumach.

West African Pepper Piperaceae

148. Piper officinarum DC

Chavica officinarum Piperaceae

149. Piper betle Linn.

Vettrilai

Piperaceae

150. Polyalthia suaveolens Engl.

Polyalthia

Annonaceae

151. Polygonatum multiflorum (L.) Solomon's Seal

Liliaceae

All

152. Prunus amygdalus batsch

Badama

Rosaceae

153. Psoralea corylifolia Linn.

Bavaci

Fabaceae

154. Ptychopetalum olacoides

Potency wood

Olacaceae

155. Punica granatum L.

Anar

Punicaceae

156. Rauvolfia vomitoria

Afzel. poison devil's Apocynaceae

pepper

157. Rhododendron anthopogon D. Ballu

Ericaceae

Don

Root Whole plant Fruit Root Fruit Leaf Fruit, root, leaf Root

Kernel Fruit Bark & Root Fruit Root

Leaf, flower

[83] [84] [105] [39] [12] [73] [85] [20]

[23] [23] [106] [11] [86-87]

[20]

158. Rhododendron lepidotum Wall. Snow Rose

ex D. Don

159. Ricinus communis L.

Castor

160. Rosa damascene Mill

Rose

161. Saccharum spontaneum Linn. Kasa

162. Santalum album Linn.

Sandal wood

163. Scindapsus officinalis Schott. Gajapipali

164. Securidaca

Violet tree

longepedunculata Slash

165. Sesamum indicum Linn

Tilli / Til

166. Shorea robusta geartn

Sal, Kabba

167. Sida cordifolia Linn.

Countary-mallow

168. Sida acuta Burn.F.

Bala

169. Sida rhombifolia

Bagauli

170. Solanum americanum Linn.

Makoi

171. Solanum indicum Linn.

Indian night Shade

Ericaceae

Leaf, flower

Euphorbiaceae Rosaceae Poaceae Santalaceae Arecaceae Polygalaceae

Seed Petal Root stock Heart wood Fruit Root bark

Pedaliaceae Dipterocarpaceae Malvaceae Malvaceae Malvaceae Solanaceae Solanaceae

Seds Bark, leaves, fruit Root, seed Whole plant Root Whole plant Root

[20]

[12] [88] [14,28] [88] [14, 28] [25]

[41] [23] [12] [11] [11] [105] [12]

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