Effect of Ethanol Extract of Parquetina Nigriscens on Testosterone Concentration of Paroxetine-Induced Erectile Dysfunctional Rats

Erectile dysfunction (ED) remains a prevalent concern affecting the quality of life for
numerous individuals globally. Paroxetine, a commonly prescribed antidepressant, has
been associated with ED as a side effect. This study aims to explore the potential
therapeutic effect of the ethanol extract of Parquetina nigriscens, a medicinal plant with
known aphrodisiac properties, on testosterone levels in rats with paroxetine-induced
erectile dysfunction.
A total of 35 male Wistar rats were divided into six groups, with each group consisting
of 6 rats, except for the naïve group which had 5 rats. To induce erectile dysfunction, rats
in groups B, C, D, E, and F were administered daily oral doses of 10 mg/kg of Paroxetine
suspension, while group A received normal saline throughout the entire study as the
control group. The presence of erectile dysfunction was confirmed by observing a
decrease in nitric oxide levels in the tissues after the twenty-one-day period. Following
the confirmation of erectile dysfunction, rats in groups B-F were then reorganized based
on their individual body weights. Following the reorganization, rats in group B were
given distilled water, which served as the negative control. Rats in group C were treated
with Sildenafil citrate, while rats in groups D, E, and F were exposed to varying doses of
Parquetina nigrescens ethanol extract at 50 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg, and 150 mg/kg,
respectively, over a span of 7 days. The findings indicate that giving rats in groups D, E,
and F Parquetina nigrescens ethanol extract led to elevated level testosterone in the
penile region when compared to the untreated group B.
In conclusion, this study suggests that Parquetina nigriscens may hold promise as a
natural remedy for addressing paroxetine-induced erectile dysfunction through its
potential to enhance testosterone production. Further research is warranted to elucidate
the precise mechanisms involved and to explore the potential clinical applications of
this herbal extract in treating human erectile dysfunction.