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Hunteria umbellata seed extract administration modulates activities of phosphodiesterase-5 and purinergic enzymes relevant to erection in normal male rats

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Abstract

Hunteria umbellata is used in Nigerian traditional medicine for the treatment of erectile dysfunction and other male sexual related diseases but the basis remain unclear. This study investigated the effects of H. umbellata on phosphodiesterase-5, ectonucleotidases, adenosine deaminase and acetylcholinesterase activities in experimental animals. Twenty-four male rats were divided into four groups of six animals each; control group, Viagra administered group, 50 and 100 mg/kg body weight H. umbellata treated group. After 28 days of treatment, the animals were sacrificed and the effect of H. umbellata on the activities of enzymes mentioned above was evaluated. The results revealed a significant increase in PDE-5, ATPDase, adenosine deaminase and AChE activities in control group. However, treatment with H. umbellata caused a significant decrease in PDE-5, ATPDase, adenosine deaminase and AChE activities with concomitant increase in 5′-nucleotidase activity. Findings presented in this study revealed that H. umbellata could prevent the impairment of enzymes that regulate purinergic and NO/cGMP signaling and thereby be of biological importance in the management of erectile dysfunction.

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Acknowledgement

Authors are grateful to all members of Functional Foods and Nutraceutical Research Unit of Biochemistry Department, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria, for their support.

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  1. Functional Foods and Nutraceutical Unit, Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Technology, P.M.B. 704, Akure, 340001, Ondo State, Nigeria

    Ganiyu Oboh, Adeniyi A. Adebayo & Ayokunle O. Ademosun

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  1. Ganiyu Oboh
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  3. Ayokunle O. Ademosun
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Correspondence to Ganiyu Oboh.

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Handling of the animals was in accordance with the Guide for Care and Use of Laboratory Animals prepared by the National Academy of Science which was published by the National Institute of Health (USA). All animal experiments were performed according to the protocols and recommendation of the Institutional Animal Ethics committee of the School of Sciences, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria (Ethical No.: FUTA/SOS/1411).

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Oboh, G., Adebayo, A.A. & Ademosun, A.O. Hunteria umbellata seed extract administration modulates activities of phosphodiesterase-5 and purinergic enzymes relevant to erection in normal male rats. Orient Pharm Exp Med 19, 167–175 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13596-019-00368-y

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