Evaluation of androgenic and aphrodisiac activity of Orchis latifolia L. in male albino rats

The bulbous rhizomes of Orchis latifolia (Orchidaceae) are used traditionally in Indian subcontinent, especially in the Northern region and Nepal as aphrodisiac and sexual stimulant. It holds the reputation of being a nutritive and restorative tonic. Lyophilized aqueous extract of roots were characterized using HPTLC, HPLC and LC-MS analysis. Aqueous extract was further used to study the effect of oral administration on sexual behavior, androgenic potential and spermatogenesis in male Wistar albino rats. A dose dependent effect was observed with the highest effect observed at 200mg/Kg body weight administration of lyophilized extract. There was a pronounced anabolic and spermatogenic effect in treated animals (p<0.05) as evidenced by weight gains in the body and reproductive organs and histological studies. Serum testosterone levels as well as nitrous oxide levels were also found to be significantly increased (p<0.5). The treatment also markedly affected sexual behavior of animals as reflected in reduction of mount latency, ejaculation latency, post ejaculatory latency, intromission latency and an increase of mount frequency and attraction towards female (p<0.05). Furthermore, a pronounced improvement in spermatogenesis was observable by histological examination of testicular tissues. The present study thus validates the Ayurvedic claims of denoting O. latifolia as an aphrodisiac.