Screening of aphrodisiac property in sea slug, aplysia dactylomela

• Main Authors: Hashim, Ridzwan, Mohd Roslan, Noor Atika Elliyana, Zulkipli, Farah Hanis, Mohd Daud, Jamaluddin
• Format: Article
• Language: English; English
• Published: Elsevier (Singapore) Pte Ltd 2014
• Subjects: R Medicine (General)
• Online Access: http://irep.iium.edu.my/42093/1/Paper_Dugo_dugoRidzwan_%26_Jamaluddin_2004_1-s2.0-S1995764514602224-main.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/42093/4/42093_Screening%20of%20aphrodisiac%20_article.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/42093/; http://www.journals.elsevier.com/asian-pacific-journal-of-tropical-medicine/

Objective: To evaluate the aphrodisiac property of Aplysia dactylomela (A. dactylomelan), locally known as 'dugu-dugu', which is one of the sea slug species. Methods: Two types of extractions were used: aqueous and lipid. Three doses of each A. dactylomelan extract, respectively; 50, 100, 200 mg/kg were administered (i.p.) to male mice for mounting behavior test. Sildenafil citrate or Viagra(R) (5 mg/kg) being positive control while negative control received saline solution. Results: The animals treated with lipid extract at the respective dose exhibited mounting behavior, but the mounting frequency decreased at higher doses (100 and 200 mg/kg). However, all doses of aqueous extract did not show any mounting behavior. Meanwhile, in all doses of lipid extracts administered displayed significant difference 9P<0.05) from the positive control. Despite this, only the lipid extract of 50 mg/kg showed significant difference (P<0.05) with negative control. This signifies that lipid extracts especially in dose 50 mg/kg have a substantial effect of aphrodisiac property. In addition, the presence of steroids was detected in the phytochemical screening of lipid extract. Conclusions: The findings from this study provides preliminary scientific evidence that A. dactylomela could be used as an alternative medication of natural product for promoting sexual activity in men.