PIPER BETLE LEAVES IMPAIRS MASCULINE SEXUAL-BEHAVIOR OF RATS

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a water extract o f mature leaves of Piper betle on male sexual behaviour of rats. 1.0 m t of either the undiluted extract (500 g of leaves extracted into 1 L of distilled water) or 1:1 diluted extract or 1:3 diluted extract or d istilled water (vehicle) was orally administered to four groups of rat s (n = 6-7) three times a day (9.00, 12.00 and 15.00h) on a single day (day 1 of treatment). Parameters of male sexual behaviour (% mounted, % intromitted, % ejaculated, number of mounts and intromission, laten cies of mounts, intromission and ejaculations, copulatory efficiency a nd intercopulatory interval) were monitored and computed Ih post treat ment with all groups and on day 3, 7, 14, 28 or 35 with the group trea ted with the highest dose, by pairing each male individually with a ho rmonally primed receptive female. The lower dose did not significantly alter any of the sexual behaviour parameters evaluated. The mid-dose significantly prolonged the latencies of mounting, intromission and ej aculation and intercopulatory interval. On the other hand, the highest dose completely abolished mountings, intromissions and ejaculations o f all treated rats. These altered parameters became normal or near nor mal between days 3 and 35. Moreover, the extract-induced sexual behavi oural effects were dose-dependent. The highest dose also produced mild but significant hypotensive action Ih post treatment. However, this d ose of extract had no significant effect on heart rate or possessed si gnificant analgesic activity (by tail flick and hot plate techniques) or sedative action (by rat hole-board technique). The highest dose als o had no significant effect on serum prolactin level (on day 3) and th e wet weight of sexual accessory glands (on day 7). Based on the resul ts of this study, it is concluded that mature Piper betle leaves posse ss potent male antisexual behavioural activity.