Background: The flower bud of Syzygium aromaticum (L.) Merr. & Perry. (clove) has been used in Unani medicine since ancient times for the treatment of male sexual disorders. The present study is aimed to investigate the effect of 50% ethanolic extract of clove on general mating behaviour, libido, potency along with its likely gastric ulceration and adverse effects on sexually normal male albino rats.

BackgroundSpices are considered as sexual invigorators in the Unani System of Medicine. In order to explore the sexual function improving effect of Myristica fragrans Houtt. (nutmeg) and Syzygium aromaticum (L) Merr. & Perry. (clove) an experimental study was conducted in normal male mice.MethodsThe extracts (50% ethanolic) of nutmeg and clove were administered (500 mg/kg; p.o.) to different groups of male Swiss mice. Mounting behaviour, mating performance, and general short term toxicity of the test drugs were determined and compared with the standard drug Penegra (Sildenafil citrate).ResultsThe extracts of the nutmeg and clove were found to stimulate the mounting behaviour of male mice, and also to significantly increase their mating performance. The drugs were devoid of any conspicuous general short term toxicity.ConclusionThe extracts (50% ethanolic) of nutmeg and clove enhanced the sexual behaviour of male mice.

BackgroundMyristica fragrans Houtt. (nutmeg) has been mentioned in Unani medicine to be of value in the management of male sexual disorders. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the aphrodisiac effect of 50% ethanolic extract of nutmeg along with its likely adverse effects and acute toxicity using various animal models.MethodsThe suspension of the extract was administered (100, 250 and 500 mg/kg, p.o.) to different groups of male rats daily for seven days. The female rats involved in mating were made receptive by hormonal treatment. The general mating behaviour, libido and potency were studied and compared with the standard reference drug sildenafil citrate. Likely adverse effects and acute toxicity of the extract were also evaluated.ResultsOral administration of the extract at the dose of 500 mg/kg, produced significant augmentation of sexual activity in male rats. It significantly increased the Mounting Frequency, Intromission Frequency, Intromission Latency and caused significant reduction in the Mounting Latency and Post Ejaculatory Interval. It also significantly increased Mounting Frequency with penile anaesthetisation as well as Erections, Quick Flips, Long Flips and the aggregate of penile reflexes with penile stimulation. The extract was also observed to be devoid of any adverse effects and acute toxicity.ConclusionThe resultant significant and sustained increase in the sexual activity of normal male rats without any conspicuous adverse effects indicates that the 50% ethanolic extract of nutmeg possesses aphrodisiac activity, increasing both libido and potency, which might be attributed to its nervous stimulating property. The present study thus provides a scientific rationale for the traditional use of nutmeg in the management of male sexual disorders.

Objectives This study quantitatively determined the total phenolic contents in ethanolic and aqueous extracts of Gul-e-Zoofa (flowers of Nepeta bracteata Benth) using a spectrophotometric method. We also performed a spectral study (UV and IR) of the ethanolic extract and a fluorescence study of the powdered drug and successive extracts to identify and characterize the genuine herbal drug, which has not been previously performed. Methods The total phenolic content was determined quantitatively using the Folin Ciocalteu reagent, with Gallic acid as the standard. The fluorescence characteristics of the powdered drug and successive extracts with and without chemical treatment during the day and under a UV light were recorded. The UV and IR spectra of the alcoholic extract of Gul-e-Zoofa were recorded using a spectrometer. Results The total phenolic contents of the alcoholic and aqueous extracts were found to be 326.28 and 319.14 mg/g of the Gallic acid equivalent (GAE), respectively. The wavelength of the maximum absorption in the UV spectrum was 320 nm, and the characteristic frequencies in the IR spectrum were 3465.31, 3220.07, 2927.3, 2856.1, 1709.07, 1610.19, 1404.5, 1250.2, 1056.42, 823.04, 775.58, 577.81, and 463.10 cm −1 . The fluorescence characteristics of the powdered drug were also observed. Conclusion This spectral and fluorescence study of the drug will be helpful for confirming the identity and purity of the genuine drug. The total phenolic content will be helpful for developing new drugs and standardizing the drug. The presence of a high total phenolic content shows that the flowers of N. bracteata Benth may possess antioxidant properties, which could lead to a new field of research in the future.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) has a poor prognosis with an overall survival of 14–15 months after surgery, radiation and chemotherapy using temozolomide (TMZ). A major problem is that the tumors acquire resistance to therapy. In an effort to improve the therapeutic efficacy of TMZ, we performed a genome‐wide RNA interference (RNAi) synthetic lethality screen to establish a functional gene signature for TMZ sensitivity in human GBM cells. We then queried the Connectivity Map database to search for drugs that would induce corresponding changes in gene expression. By this approach we identified several potential pharmacological sensitizers to TMZ, where the most potent drug was the established antipsychotic agent Thioridazine, which significantly improved TMZ sensitivity while not demonstrating any significant toxicity alone. Mechanistically, we show that the specific chemosensitizing effect of Thioridazine is mediated by impairing autophagy, thereby preventing adaptive metabolic alterations associated with TMZ resistance. Moreover, we demonstrate that Thioridazine inhibits late‐stage autophagy by impairing fusion between autophagosomes and lysosomes. Finally, Thioridazine in combination with TMZ significantly inhibits brain tumor growth in vivo, demonstrating the potential clinical benefits of compounds targeting the autophagy‐lysosome pathway. Our study emphasizes the feasibility of exploiting drug repurposing for the design of novel therapeutic strategies for GBM.