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Alkaloids-rich extracts from Cannabis sativa, Datura stramonium, and Nicotiana tabacum modulate sexual behavior and key enzymes relevant to sexual function in rats

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Abstract

Datura stramonium and Nicotiana tabacum are plant-based psychoactive substances commonly employed as alternatives to the illicit plant, Cannabis sativa, during aphrodisiac concoction preparation. The present study compared the effect of illicit (Cannabis sativa) and licit (Nicotiana tabacum and Datura stramonium) psychoactive substances on sexual behavior and several biochemical parameters in the penile tissue of male rats. Alkaloid extracts were orally administered in doses of 5, 50, 500, and 2000 mg/kg bwt for 90 days. On day 90, behavioral studies were carried out, rats were sacrificed, penile tissues removed, and tissue homogenate prepared. Penile tissue homogenates were assayed for phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5), arginase, acetylcholinesterase, angiotensin-1 converting enzyme (ACE) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities, nitric oxide (NO), and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. Findings showed that alkaloid extracts of Datura stramonium reduced the mounting and intromission number, depleted the level of NO, increased the activities of PDE-5, arginase, ACE, and reduced AChE activities, while Datura stramonium and Nicotiana tabacum alkaloids increased ROS levels and inhibited the activity of LDH. In conclusion, the use of N. tabacum as an alternative to C. sativa during aphrodisiac concoction preparation may be justified while D. stramonium inclusion may not be to mediate aphrodisiac effects.

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  1. Functional Foods, Nutraceuticals and Phytomedicine Unit, Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Technology, P.M.B. 704, Akure, 340001, Nigeria

    Olamide W. Fasakin, Ganiyu Oboh & Ayokunle Olubode Ademosun

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  1. Olamide W. Fasakin
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  2. Ganiyu Oboh
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  3. Ayokunle Olubode Ademosun
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Correspondence to Ganiyu Oboh.

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The care and use of Laboratory Animals were approved by the Federal University of Technology Akure ethical committee, which was followed strictly and in compliance with the National Institute of Health guidelines. Ethical approval was obtained from the Centre for Research and Development (CERAD), Federal University of Technology, Akure with the number FUTA/ETH/2020/016.

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Fasakin, O.W., Oboh, G. & Ademosun, A.O. Alkaloids-rich extracts from Cannabis sativa, Datura stramonium, and Nicotiana tabacum modulate sexual behavior and key enzymes relevant to sexual function in rats. Comp Clin Pathol 31, 397–407 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00580-022-03339-z

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