Journal of Applied Physical Science International

Aframomum melegueta seeds are reported to have libido-enhancing properties, but the involvement of antioxidants in the improvement of mating behaviour has not been established. This study determined the effect of a 70% ethanol extract of Aframomum melegueta seeds on mating behaviour (MF, ML, IF, IL, EF, EL and PEI), serum hormones (testosterone (TET), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinising hormone (LH) and prolactin (PRL)), as well as oxidative stress biomarkers (SOD, CAT, GPx, GSH and MDA) in male Wistar rats. Twenty-five male Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups containing five rats each. Groups I, II and III were treated with 120, 240 and 360mg/Kg of the ethanolic extract of Aframomum melegueta seeds, while groups IV and V were treated with 1mg/Kg of testosterone and 10ml/Kg of distilled water to serve as positive and negative controls, respectively. The extract was found to significantly (P≤0.05) increase MF, IF and EF, while ML, IL and PEI were significantly decreased (P≤0.05) when compared with the negative control. However, the group treated with testosterone had mating behaviour parameters that were significantly higher (P≤0.05) than those of the treated group that received the highest dose (group III). Similarly, the serum levels of testosterone, FSH and LH were dose-dependently higher (P≤0.05) in the treated groups when compared with the negative control group, while the PRL level was significantly (P≤0.05) decreased in the treated and positive control groups. The levels of CAT, SOD, GPx and GSH were significantly (P≤0.05) increased, while MDA was significantly (P≤0.05) decreased in the treated groups compared with the negative control group. These results suggest that the extract produces a libido-enhancing effect, as indicated by mating behaviour, through increased testosterone via activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, which may be facilitated by improved oxidative status.