Comparative Aphrodisiac Potentials of Alcohol and Aqueous Leaf Extracts of Sida Acuta in Improvement of Sexual Functions in Male Rats

Aphrodisiac is a socio-reproductive and economic term in man’s life. This study aims at investigating the aphrodisiac potentials of the aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Sida acuta leaves on male albino rats. The extraction gave a yield of 68% and further characterization of aqueous extract showed: appearance; solution, colour; dark amber, odour; slight odour, taste; terminal bitter leaf water, and texture; slightly slippery. The chemical properties of the extract showed proximate composition as: dry matter; 92.28%, crude proteins; 16.04%, ash; 8.53%, crude fibre; 4.18% , ethanol extract; 1.57% and energy; 2760 kcal / kg. The phytochemical analysis showed that alkaloids gave 6.67 ± 0.006; flavonoids; 2.94 ± 0.06; saponins; cross check; tannins; 4.14 ± 0.06; cardiac glycosides; 5.93 ± 0.05; phlobatanins; 3.92 ± 0.06; terpenoids; 5.59 ± 0.05 and anthraquinones; cross check. The extracts were fed to acclimatized sexually mature male albino rats which had their mature females introduced to them in isolated cages where their sexual behaviours were observed using CCTV Camera. Within an hour of observing these animals, it was noticed that the number of mountings increased in the order of viagra > ethanol > aqueous. The duration of intromission and coitus increased in the order of viagra > ethanol > aqueous. The number of ejaculations however, increased; ethanol > aqueous > viagra, and the detumescence time also followed the above order. This study showed that Sida acuta extracts significantly (p > 0.05) has aphrodisiac potentials that mimic viagra, and that these potentials are dose and time- dependent.