Fadogia agrestis by Ray Sahelian, M.D.
Fadogia agrestis is used in Nigeria as an aphrodisiac. Fadogia contains alkaloids and saponins while anthraquinones and flavonoids are present in small amounts. Human studies with this herb are not available as of early 2007.
Aphrodisiac potentials of the aqueous extract of
Fadogia agrestis (Schweinf. Ex Hiern) stem in male albino rats.
Asian J Androl. 2005 Dec;7(4):399-404. Yakubu MT, Akanji MA, Oladiji AT.
Medicinal Plants Research Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, University of
Ilorin, PMB 1515, Ilorin, Nigeria.
To evaluate the phytochemical constituents and the aphrodisiac potential of the
aqueous extract of Fadogia agrestis (Rubiaceae) stem in male albino rats. Male
rats were orally dosed with 18 mg/kg, 50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg body weight,
respectively, of the Fadogia agrestis extract at 24 h intervals and their sexual
behavior parameters and serum testosterone concentration were evaluated at days
1, 3 and 5. All the doses resulted in significant increase in mount
frequency, intromission frequency and significantly prolonged the ejaculatory
latency (P 0.05) and reduced mount and intromission latency (P 0.05). There was
also a significant increase in serum testosterone concentrations in all the
groups in a manner suggestive of dose-dependence. The aqueous extract of Fadogia
agrestis stem increased the blood testosterone concentrations and this may be
the mechanism responsible for its aphrodisiac effects and various masculine
behaviors.