Ferula harmonis ‘zallouh’ and enhancing erectile function in rats: efficacy and toxicity study

Abstract

Ferula harmonis, which is locally called`zallouh' in the Middle East, is used as an aphrodisiac as it is reputed to enhance male sexual behavior, however, there is no scienti®c veri®cation. In this study, the oil extracted from the seeds of Ferula harmonis was tested for its ef®cacy in enhancing erectile function and toxicity in male rats. The sexual activities assessed by penile erection index were dose dependent. The ED 50 (12.03 mgakg) was 880 times less than the LD 50 (10.6 gakg). However, when doses ranging from 0.05, 0.5 to 2 gakg were given daily for 28 days, acute and subacute toxicity were observed. There was a decrease in total body weight, hepatomegaly, atrophic testis, signi®cant decrease in hemoglobin and red blood cell count. In addition, there was a signi®cant decrease in cholesterol level. All the above indicate that the crude oil from the plant Ferula harmonis can enhance erectile function, however, it becomes toxic if it is used for a long period of time. Further studies are underway to isolate and identify the active ingredients and their exact mechanisms of action.

Opposite effect of acute and subchronic treatments with Ferula hermonis on copulatory behavior of male rats

“…Copulatory behavior of male rats P Zanoli et al A previous study revealed that F. hermonis seed oil was able to stimulate erectile function. 6 In our study, Ferula acetonic extract significantly enhanced male sexual appetitive behavior in potent rats, as evidenced by reduced mount and intromission latencies in comparison with controls. These parameters are indeed considered to be inversely proportional to sexual motivation or desire.…”

“…The development of the method could be of importance in the quality control of products containing F. hermonis, which are emerging in the dietary supplement market. 5 A recent study performed with the aim of clarifying the efficacy and the safety of this plant was published by El-Thaher et al 6 The authors demonstrated the capacity of the crude oil extracted from the seeds of F. hermonis, when administered acutely in rats, to enhance erectile function. On the contrary, when chronically administered, it exerted unwanted and toxic effects such as decrease in total body weight, hepatomegaly and atrophic testis.…”

Activity of single components of Ferula hermonis on male rat sexual behavior

“…1 The enhancement of erectile function after oral ingestion of the crude oil extracted from the seeds of F. hermonis was observed in rats by ElThaher et al 2 On the other hand, the daily administration of the oil for 28 days was linked to toxic effects such as decreased body weight, hepatomegaly, atrophic testis, significant decrease in hemoglobin and red blood cells. 2 Moreover, an antifertility effect of the ethanolic extract obtained by F. hermonis roots, orally administered for 6 weeks to male and female mice, was reported. 3 It is noteworthy, however, that depending on the type of solvent used for the extraction procedure, F. hermonis exerted different effects on male rat sexual activity.…”

A novel compound JPM8: in vivo penile activity promotion in rats, effect on the relaxation and cGMP/cAMP accumulation in isolated rabbit corpora cavernosa

“…16,17 PEI improved with increasing dose. Maximum PEI values were obtained at the maximum dose of 0.625 mg=kg body weight for both drugs.…”