**Author details**

interconnected endocrine, immune, and nervous systems. This re-regulation of a disordered or highly stressed system is achieved by metabolic regulators such as, catecholamines, glucocorticoids, cortisol, serotonin, nitric oxide (NO), cholecystokinin, corticotrophinreleasing factor (CRF), and sex hormones [71]. *Chlorophytum borivilianum* (Safed Musli) is often referred to as Viagra without the side effects [71]. Safed musli contains saponin and alkaloids which give musli its medicinal properties. Stigmasterol, a form of saponin is very similar in structure to testosterone and consequently can occupy the testosterone receptor sites-door‐ ways to the cells acting like an aphrodisiac. Hecogenin has steroidal-like effects that help to synthesize anabolic hormones. Anabolic hormones allow men to retain nitrogen more readily,

*Tribulus terrestris* is a herb that has been used in the traditional medicine of China and India for centuries. The active compounds in *Tribulus* are called steroidal saponins. The protective effect of *T. terrestris* for Streptozotocin –induced diabetic rats may be mediated by inhibiting oxidative stress [72]. Oral administration of 100 mg/kg of test drug has proven anabolic effect as evidenced by body weight gain in the body and reproductive organs. Improvement in sexual behaviour of male rats was characterized by increased amount and intromission frequency. Penile erection index (PEI) was also considerably enhanced without any noticeable toxicity. The testosterone level and sperm count also significantly increased. The results are comparable to that of standard drug, sidenafil citrate. Findings of the present study validate the traditional use of *T. terrestris* for its role in enhancing sexual behaviour and potential to be used in the

Ginseng is an essential constituent in traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of sexual impotence. It is likely that this effect reflects the tonic, restorative and adaptogenic properties. It has been shown that ginsenosides relax rabbit corpus cavernosum and this effect is mediated by nitric oxide, released from endothelial or neural cells. These endothelial and neurogenic effects of ginsenosides in inducing relaxation of the corpus cavernosum may account for the

*Eriosema kraussianum* Zulu indigenous plants are effective remedies for the treatment of ED and/or impotence. Five pyranoisoflavones have been isolated from the rootstock of *Eriosema kraussianum* and were screened for smooth muscle relaxation of rabbit penile muscle*.* The most active of the compounds had an activity of 75% of that found in Viagra. In a test on ED rabbit penile smooth muscle, it showed an activity close to that of Viagra, thus living up to the plant

Yohimbine is an alkaloid derived from the African yohimbe tree (*Pausinystalia yohimbe*). It blocks the presynaptic α-2 adrenergic receptors in the brain, leading to reduction of brain and spinal cord norepinephrine levels. Inhibition of sympathetic tone enhances sexual arousal and

Patients who fail to respond to pharmacotherapy or those who want a permanent solution usually have surgical implantations of penile prosthesis. These prosthetics can either be inflatable or malleable, however most patients prefer the inflatable devices because they

which helps form larger more bulging muscle during an erection.

treatment of ED [73].

its traditional use [75, 76].

**4.4. Surgical treatment**

NO release from penile nerves [77].

aphrodisiac effect of *Panax ginseng* [74].

288 Antioxidant-Antidiabetic Agents and Human Health

Guillaume Aboua1\*, Claudine Manirafasha1 , Boitumelo R. Mosito1 , Michelle van der Linde2 and Stefan S. du Plessis2

\*Address all correspondence to: abouay@cput.ac.za

1 Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Wellness, Cape Peninsula Uni‐ versity of Technology, Bellville, South Africa

2 Division of Medical Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Tygerberg, South Africa
