Improvement of Sexual Behavior in Male Rats via Dietary Supplementation with Panax ginseng Extract Standardized with Ginsenoside Rg3

摘要

Korean ginseng ( Panax ginseng CA Meyer) is important traditional medicinal plants whose ginsenosides are generally accepted as serving to improve sexual functions, such as penile erection. The aim of the current study was to utilize panax ginseng extract standardized with ginsenoside Rg3 (PGRg3) to improve the sexual behavior in rats. Male rats were categorized on the basis of seven consecutive mating pre-tests as Sexually-Active (SA) and Sexually-Inactive (SI); and stretching-yawning, penile erection, sedation and stereotyped behavior of the same animals. The results indicated that PGRg3 at three tested doses (50, 150 and 450 mg kg^-1 b.wt.) enhanced the copulatory pattern of both SI and SA rats, ejaculation mechanisms, increase the sexual drive of SI rats. The two groups of rats, exhibited different behavioral responses to PGRg3. Moreover, PGRg3 was effective in SA rats at dose as low as 50 mg kg^-1 b.wt. however it was effective in SI rats at the higher doses (150 and 450 mg kg^-1 b.wt.). It could be concluded that PGRg3 succeeded to enhance sexual behavior and has beneficial effects as traditional medicinal herbal plant in male with sexual dysfunction.