From Zimbabwean Indigenous Knowledge: Scientific Substantiation of the Aphrodisiac Efficacy and Safety of Pittosporum viridiflorum in Male Rat Models

Introduction: Pittosporum viridiflorum, the multi habitat thriving plant species is widely believed to have been the source of sexual prowess for the polygamous kings and elites of the mighty medieval empire known as ‘Great Zimbabwe’. Despite the lack of systematic scientific validation, the macerated roots fractions continue to be the aphrodisiacs of choice among Zimbabweans.

Aims: To scientifically validate the aphrodisiac claims using male rats’ sexual performance investigation protocols. To evaluate the toxicity profile and to identify the pharmacologically active metabolites present in the lyophilized hydro-ethanolic crude extracts.

Methodology: Four concentrations of prepared Pittosporum viridiflorum root extract doses of 200, 400, 800 and 2000mg/kg as well as a commercial 5 mg/kg sildenafil citrate (standard) and distilled water (control) dosages were gavaged to male rats (n = 5 animals per group) for 21 days. The crude extract was subjected to screening protocols for various secondary metabolites of pharmacological relevance as well as acute oral toxicity profiling using OECD 425 TG. The sexual behaviour, mating parameters and hormonal changes in the male rats were evaluated accordingly.

Observation and Results: Compared with the control, a significant increase in mating behaviour, mating performance and the serum hormonal levels were observed in test animals which showed a dose‑dependent bias. The phytoscreening evaluation confirmed the presence of saponins, phytosterols, flavonoids, di-terpenoids, tannins, and polyphenols. The Extract was toxicological safe with an LD50 above 2000mg/kg body weight.

Conclusion: Pittosporum viridiflorum has excellent aphrodisiac activity on rats and is toxicologically safe for oral use. The abundant phytochemicals found are known to be pharmacologically active with regards to modulation of sexual hormones as well as sexual enhancement. It was further concluded that the traditional belief is valid, the plant can indeed be used as an alternative to modern medicines for various sexual dysfunctions and sexual performance enhancement.