Quantitative Phytochemical Screening, Antioxidant and Aphrodisiac Potential Studies of Hydroethanolic Root Extract of Carissa spicatum L.

Background and Objective: Carissa spinarum is a plant used in West African countries such as Togo to manage erectile dysfunction. Despite this usage, there are no scientific proof of its aphrodisiac potential. This work was then, carried out to evaluate the aphrodisiac potential of Carissa spinarum roots hydro-alcoholic extract associated with its quantitative phytochemical composition and its antioxidant activity. Materials and Methods: Prior to the aphrodisiac potential study, the quantitative phytochemical screening and the antioxidant activity of the extract were assessed. The quantitative phytochemical screening was done to determine the amount of tannin, total phenols, flavonoids and cardiac glycosides in the extract. The antioxidant properties were performed through total antioxidant capacity (TAC), reducing power and, free radicals 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) eliminating activity. The aphrodisiac potential of the extract was evaluated by studying its effect (75 and 150 mg kg‾¹) on sexual behavior (number of sexual rises and anogenital sniffing as well as their respective latency) in male ICR mice compared to sildenafil (5 mg kg‾¹). Results: The hydroethanolic root extract of Carissa spinarum contained 23.21±1.42 mg Eq AG/g of extract of total phenol, 14.97±0.30 mg Eq of rutin/g of extract of flavonoids, 7.09±1.42 mg of Eq AG/g of extract of tannins and 7.84±0.42 mg d’Eq of digoxin/g of extract of cardiac glycosides. The extract produced antioxidant activity and significantly altered sexual behavior parameters, especially at the dose of 150 mg kg‾¹. Thus, the number of sexual mounting and anogenital sniffing was significantly increased (p<0.0001). Inversely, their respective latency decreased significantly (p<0.0001). Conclusion: It emerges from this study, that the hydroethanolic extract of Carissa spinarum roots has antioxidant properties and aphrodisiac activities.