Sains Malaysiana 46(6)(2017): 845–849

http://dx.doi.org/10.17576/jsm-2017-4606-02

 

Evaluation of the Aphrodisiac Potential of Rice Field Eel, Monopterus albusExtracts in Male Mice

(Penilaian Potensi Afrodisiak Ekstrak Belut Sawah, Monopterus albuske atas Tikus Jantan)

 

NOR INTAN FAZLEEN ZULKEFLI* & RIDZWAN HASHIM

 

Department of Biomedical Sciences, Kulliyyah of Allied Health Science (KAHS), International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), 25200 Kuantan, Pahang Darul Makmur, Malaysia

 

Received: 4 April 2016/Accepted: 14 December 2016

 

ABSTRACT

Rice field eel, Monopterus albus, is widely consumed by the local people as a source of traditional medicine. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the M. albus aqueous and lipid extracts as an aphrodisiac based on the mounting behaviour and mating assessment. The doses used for both extracts were 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg. Negative control mice received 0.9% saline while positive control received 5 mg/kg Sildenafil citrate or Viagra®. The observation was carried out for 1 h after administration of the respective doses of the extracts. Male mice treated with the different doses of lipid extract showed substantial mounting behaviour. Meanwhile, only male mice treated with 200 mg/kg aqueous extract displayed aphrodisiac property which was similar to 200 mg/kg lipid dose. As both extracts produced higher number of mounting than Sildenafil citrate at 1st h of observation, this indicated that they are as competent as Sildenafil citrate. In conclusion, this study provides evidence that M. albus could be used as an alternative source for male sexual activity.

 

Keywords: Aphrodisiac; mating assessment; Monopterus albus; mounting behaviour; rice field eel

 

ABSTRAK

Belut sawah, Monopterus albus, digunakan secara meluas oleh penduduk tempatan sebagai sumber perubatan tradisi. Oleh itu, kajian ini dijalankan untuk menilai potensi ekstrak air dan lipid sebagai afrodisiak berdasarkan penilaian tingkah laku seks dan mengawan. Dos yang digunakan untuk kedua-dua ekstrak adalah 50, 100 dan 200 mg/kg. Tikus kawalan negatif menerima 0.9% larutan garam manakala kawalan positif menerima 5 mg/kg Sildenafil sitrat atau Viagra®. Pemerhatian ke atas tikus telah dijalankan selama satu jam selepas setiap dos ekstrak diberikan. Tikus jantan yang dirawat dengan setiap dos yang berbeza bagi ekstrak lipid menunjukkan peningkatan dalam bilangan memanjat ke atas tikus betina. Sementara itu, hanya tikus jantan yang dirawat dengan dos 200 mg/kg ekstrak air menunjukkan kesan afrodisiak sebagaimana tikus jantan yang dirawat dengan 200 mg/kg ekstrak lipid. Oleh kerana kedua-dua ekstrak menghasilkan bilangan memanjat yang lebih tinggi daripada Sildenafil sitrat pada jam pertama pemerhatian, ini menunjukkan bahawa kedua-dua ekstrak tersebut setanding dengan Sildenafil sitrat. Kesimpulannya, kajian ini membuktikan bahawa M. albus boleh digunakan sebagai sumber alternatif untuk aktiviti seks jantan.

 

Kata kunci: Afrodisiak; belut sawah; Monopterus albus; penilaian mengawan; tingkah laku seks

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*Corresponding author; email: norintanfazleen@gmail.com