ACTA FAC MED NAISS 2019;36(1):15-26

Original article

UDC: 616.69-008.14:633.7:577

DOI: 10.2478/afmnai-2019-0002

 

Garcinia Kola Extracts Improve Biochemical Markers Associated with Erectile Function: Possible Applications in Clinical Treatment?

 

Adebola Busola Ojo1, Oluwafemi Adeleke Ojo2,3, Mary Abiola Okesola4, Basiru Olaitan Ajiboye2, Babatunji Emmanuel Oyinloye2,5

1Department of Biochemistry, Ekiti State University, PMB 5363, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria
2Phytomedicine and Biochemical Toxicology Unit, Department of Biochemistry, Afe Babalola University, PMB 5454, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria
3Department of Biochemistry, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria
4Department of Biochemistry, Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria
5Biotechnology and Structural Biochemistry (BSB) Group, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Zululand, KwaDlangezwa 3886, South Africa



summary


This work investigates the antiradical capacity and potential of Garcinia kola extracts to improve the biochemical markers associated with erectile function and its possible application in clinical treatment. Inhibitory properties of aqueous extract of G. kola on phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5), arginase, angiotensin I –converting enzyme (ACE), and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in rat’s genitals tissues were evaluated. Likewise, G. kola extract was explored for reducing power (FRAP) and 1.1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazil (DPPH) radical scavengin g abilities. G. kola extract exhibited greater PDE-5 (IC50 = 47.52 ± 0.01 μg/mL), ACE (IC50 = 46.90 ± 0.87 μg/mL), AChE (IC50 = 44.85 ± 1.33 μg/mL) and arginase (IC50 = 47.71 ± 0.25 μg/mL) inhibitory activity in the corpus cavernosum tissue than PDE-5 (IC50 = 75.58 ± 2.04 μg/mL), ACE (IC50 = 53.00 ± 0.30 μg/mL), AChE (IC50 = 54.57 ± 1.50 μg/mL) and arginase (IC50 = 69.68 ± 2.42 μg/mL) inhibitory activity in the testicular tissue homogenate. Furthermore, G. kola exhibited radical scavenging abilities against FRAP and DPPH* radicals. Hence, our results revealed that G. kola extracts are good sources for the development of nutraceuticals and pharmacological properties with attributes to enhance erectile performance.


Key words: Garcinia kola, erectile function, antioxidants, enzyme inhibition