Pro-ejaculatory effect of the aqueous crude extract of cihuapatli (Montanoa tomentosa) in spinal male rats

In the present study, the pro-sexual effect of the cihuapatli (Montanoa tomentosa) and its possible pro-ejaculatory properties in spinal male rats were examined. Systemic administration of the aqueous crude extracts of Montanoa tomentosa exerted a pro-ejaculatory effect and produced an increase in the number of discharges in the ejaculatory motor patterns in the spinal rats. The cihuapatli-induced ejaculatory responses included the expression of penile erections and penile movements and the potent expulsion of urethral contents and in some cases the expulsion of seminal plugs. The cihuapatli-induced ejaculatory motor patterns were similar to that obtained after systemic oxytocin. Cihuapatli- and oxytocin-induced ejaculatory motor responses and the penile erections and movements were abolished by the pre-treatment with hexamethonium, a selective oxytocin antagonist. Present data show that the cihuapatli extract acts directly at the spinal system in charge of the expression of the ejaculatory motor patterns and suggest that the aqueous crude extract exerts its aphrodisiacs properties by increasing sexual potency acting as an oxytocic agent. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.