%0 Journal Article
%T Effect of Cinnamomum cassia methanol extract and sildenafil on arginase and sexual function of young male Wistar rats.
%A Goswami SK
%A Inamdar MN
%A Jamwal R
%A Dethe S
%J J Sex Med
%V 11
%N 6
%D Jun 2014
%M 24758372
%F 3.937
%R 10.1111/jsm.12535
%X <B>BACKGROUND: </B>Herbs have been used as an aphrodisiac since ages. Cinnamomum cassia is an important ingredient of many Ayurvedic formulations to treat male sexual disorder including erectile dysfunction (ED).<BR><B>OBJECTIVE: </B>The objective of the present study was to evaluate erectogenic and aphrodisiac activity of methanol extract of C. cassia bark in young male rats.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>Methanol extract of C. cassia was screened in vitro for arginase inhibition potential and IC50 was determined. Effect of the extract was observed in vitro on phenylephrine pre-contracted isolated rat corpus cavernosum smooth muscle (CCSM) at 0.1, 1, 10, and 100 μg/mL. Young male Wistar rats were dosed with extract at 100 mg/kg body weight for 28 days and its effects on sexual behavior and penile smooth muscle : collagen level were observed.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>Effect of C. cassia was studied on arginase activity in vitro and sexual behavior of young male rats.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>C. cassia inhibited arginase activity in vitro with an IC50 of 61.72 ± 2.20 μg/mL. The extract relaxed phenylephrine pre-contracted isolated rat CCSM up to 43% and significantly increased (P < 0.05) sexual function of young male rats. Treatment with the extract also increased smooth muscle level and decreased collagen level in rat penile tissue.<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>The study proves usefulness of methanol extract of C. cassia bark for increasing sexual function.