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Testosterone, estrogen, progesterone, prolactin oxytocin, cortisol, pheromones are the various
hormones implicated in sexual function. Nutritional Information (Approximate Values)
Each serving / 1.41 g (one soft gelatin capsule) contains approximately:
L- Arginine 500 mg
Tribulus terrestris 200mg
Mucuna pruriens 20mg
Ginkgo biloba 20mg
Zinc (as Zinc sulphate monohydrate) 10mg
Yohimbine bark 1mg
Energy 6.61 kcal
Protein
Fat
0.43 g
0.53 g
Preface During the past decade, traditional systems of medicine have become a topic of global importance. Current estimates suggest hat, in many developing countries, a large proportion of the population relies heavily on traditional practitioners and edicinal plants to meet primary health care needs.
Although modern medicine may be available in these countries, herbal medicines (phytomedicines) have often maintained opularity for historical and cultural reasons. Concurrently, many people in developed countries have begun to turn to lternative or complementary therapies, including medicinal herbs.
Sexual function is a fundamental part of a man's identity and how he feels about himself. A man's sexual health (or dysfunction) as also been found to be a key factor in determining the capacity for maintaining healthy relationships. Erectile dysfunction ED), in its different forms, however, threatens this, and is thus an increasingly important topic. Infact, the cost for various nterventions can be staggering both physically and psychologically and have a considerable impact on quality of life.
The arrival of the synthetic ''love drug'', has, not only, captivated the public imagination, but has led to a flurry of activity to:
(i) re-assess ''old'' natural products for their use as agents to combat impotence, and
(ii) unearth a new natural product / products which can truly support Sexual function
Pro-sexual nutrients that have been touted to promote sexual health and well-being for centuries. Nano-Leo was created as a ro-sexual supplement Providing phyto androgens to support fertility vigor and vitality. Nano- Leo in addition to promoting exual health and sexual performance, the added sense of well-being would have an effect on desire for sex.
MALE SEXUAL DYSFUNCTION Male sexual dysfunction can be categorized as disorders of desire, disorders of orgasm, erectile dysfunction, disorders of ejaculation. Disorders Of Desire: Hypoactive sexual desire (HSD), defined as persistently or recurrently deficient (or absent) sexual fantasy and desire for sexual activity leading to marked istress or interpersonal difficulty. It results in a complete or almost complete lack of desire to have any type of sexual relation. Erectile Dysfunction (ed ): This is a problem with sexual arousal. ED can be defined as the difficulty in achieving or maintaining an erection sufficient for sexual activity or enetration, at least 50% of the time, for a period of six months. It results in significant psychological, social and physical morbidity, and annihilates his ssence of masculinity. ED is known to be a common sexual problem among the aging males of Asia. In one multinational study of men aged 40–70
years in four Asian countries, including Japan and Malaysia, it was estimated that the overall prevalence of moderate to complete ED was 34%.
Sex disorders of the male are classified into disorders of sexual function, sexual orientation, and sexual behaviour. In general, several factors must work n harmony to maintain normal sexual function. Such factors include neural activity, vascular events, intracavernosal nitric oxide system and androgens. thus, malfunctioning of at least one of these could lead to sexual dysfunction of any kind. Sexual dysfunction in men refers to repeated inability to achieve normal sexual intercourse. It can also be viewed as disorders that interfere with a full sexual response cycle. These disorders make it difficult for a person to enjoy or to have sexual intercourse. While sexual dysfunction rarely threatens physical health, it can take a heavy psychological toll, bringing
on depression, anxiety, and debilitating feelings of inadequacy. It has been discovered that men between 17 and 96 years old could suffer sexual dysfunction as a result of psychological or physical health problems. Generally, a prevalence of about 10% occurs across all ages. Because sexual dysfunction is an inevitable process of aging, the prevalence is over 50% in men between 50 and 70 years of age . As men age, the absolute number of Leydig cells decreases by about 40%, and the vigor of pulsatile lutenizing hormone release is dampened. In association with these events, free testosterone level also declines by approximately 1.2% per year. These have contributed in no small measure to prevalence of sexual dysfunction in the aged. Male sexual dysfunction (MSD) could be caused by various factors. These include: psychological disorders (performance anxiety, strained relationship, depression, stress, guilt an fear of sexual failure), androgen eficiencies (testosterone deficiency, hyperprolactinemia), chronic medical conditions (diabetes, hypertension, vascular insufficiency (atherosclerosis,venous leakage), penile disease (Peyronie's, priapism, phinosis, smooth muscle dysfunction), pelvic surgery (to correct arterial or inflow disorder),neurological disorders (Parkinson's disease, stroke, cerebral trauma, Alzhemier's spinal cord or nerve injury), drugs (side - effects) (anti-hypertensives,central agents, psychiatric medications, antiulcer, antidepressants, and anti-androgens), life style (chronic alcohol abuse, cigarette smoking), aging(decrease in hormonal level with age) and systemic diseases. Sexual dysfunction takes different forms in men. A dysfunction can be life-long and always present, acquired, situational, or generalized, occurring despite the situation.
- jmhg Vol. 4, No. 3, pp. 245–250, September 2007
Disorders Of Ejaculation: There exists a spectrum of disorders of ejaculation ranging from mild premature to severely retarded or absent ejaculation. The most commonest of all is premature ejaculation which is the most common male sexual dysfunction and can be any of the following:
a. Persistent or recurrent ejaculation with minimum sexual stimulation that occurs before, upon, or shortly after penetration and before the person wishes it
b. Marked distress or interpersonal difficulty; and
c. The condition does not arise as a direct effect of substance abuse
d. Painful ejaculation which results from side effect of tricyclic antidepressants
e. Inhibited or retarded ejaculation: This is when ejaculation does not occur
A MAN MAY HAVE A SEXUAL PROBLEM IF HE :
1 Ejaculates before he or his partner desires 2 Does not ejaculate, or experiences delayed ejaculation 3 Is unable to have an erection sufficient for pleasurable intercourse 4 Lacks or loses sexual desire Disorders Of Orgasm (anorgasmia) : Male orgasmic disorder is defined as a persistent or recurrent delay in, or absence of orgasm after a normal sexual excitement phase during sexual activity. Other disorders which have successfully responded to traditional medications include deranged physiological process of production of Testosterone & impaired spermatogenesis. - Pharmacognosy Reviews Vol 1, Issue 1, Jan-May, 2007 Testosterone, estrogen, progesterone, prolactin oxytocin, cortisol, pheromones are the various hormones implicated in sexual function. Testosterone : Testosterone has been shown to restore nocturnal penile tumescence responses in hypogonadal men, in whom this is impaired. A recent study showed testosterone increased sexual arousal and enjoyment among hypogonadal and normal men, and had a positive effect on mood only among men with abnormally low testosterone levels. In normal adult males, there exists wide individual variability in circulating testosterone levels that do not seem to be linked in any meaningful way with individual differences in levels of drive or sexual behavior. It is believed that the level of testosterone required for sexual interest and activity in adult males is lower than normal males circulating levels of testosterone. Among males with normal testosterone
levels, testosterone has not been shown to facilitate erection.
Estrogens : Most research suggests that estrogens have little direct influence on sexual desire in either males or females. In men, relatively high levels of exogenous estrogen have been somewhat effective in inhibiting sexual desire.
Progesterone : Early studies have revealed a decrease in sexual desire in men receiving intramuscular injections of progesterone. No controlled studies have been conducted on the relationship between progesterone treatment and sexual desire in men.
Prolactin : Men and women with abnormally high levels of prolactin report a decrease in sexual interest that is restored with bromocriptine treatment. It is unclear whether the reversal of sexual symptoms secondary to bromocriptine treatment is attributable to the lowering of serum prolactin levels, to the correction of hypothalamic-dopaminergic dysregulation, or to an interaction between these two mechanisms. Prolactin's effect on other aspects of human sexual behaviour remains equivocal. Erectile dysfunction has been described in men with abnormally high levels of prolactin, but has also been described in men with unusually low levels of prolactin, suggesting more than a simple inhibitory role of prolactin on erectile ability.
Oxytocin : Circulating levels of oxytocin increase during sexual arousal and orgasm in both men and women. Using a continuous blood sampling technique and electromyography, it was reported to have a positive correlation between oxytocin levels and the intensity, but not the duration of orgasmic contraction in males and females. Most of what we know about the influence of oxytocin on sexual behaviour however is based on animal studies. Cortisol : Hypercortisolism (Cushing syndrome) can produce a constellation of symptoms including depression, insomnia and decreased ibido in males and females. Cortisol levels were higher in men with psychogenic er4hen it is partially or completely disrupted. VASO-ACTIVE INTESTINAL POLYPEPTIDE (VIP) : VIP has been less well understood but is shown to colocalize with NO in nerves to genital blood vessels and smooth muscle. In women, systemic administration and local subepithelial injection of VIP result in increased vaginal blood flow and lubrication.(9) In addition, sexual arousal raises the level of VIP found in the plasma. In men VIP also co-localizes with NO and has been shown to play an important role in erection. SEROTONIN : Serotonin acts at both central and peripheral receptors in the mediation of sexual function. Centrally, serotonin appears to down regulate and diminish evels of mesolimbic dopaminergic activity and to elevate prolactin, resulting in decreased libido. In addition, serotonergic activation of different receptor subtypes has differential effects on sexual functioning. Activation of receptor subtype I lowers the threshold for ejaculations, while activation of A , 1 or I inhibits sexual behaviours and stimulation of 2 facilitates behaviour in animal models. Peripherally, at spinal or end-organ receptors, A B C C serotonin has inhibitory effects on ejaculation in animals. Also serotonin tends to cause problems with orgasm and desire more than arousal itself. Serotonin even acts on the smooth muscles of the genitals possibly inhibiting the muscular contractions that characterize orgasm. Further, serotonin acts at peripheral nerves, where it appears to affect the flow of genital sensory information. Lastly, serotonin may delay orgasm through pre-synaptic inhibition of adrenergic transmission, thus addressing premature ejaculation. DOPAMINE: All the four major dopaminergic CNS pathways are proposed to play a role in sexual behavior. The incerto-hypothalamic pathway stimulation increases all phases of male rat sexual behaviour and induces penile erection. The mesolimbic pathway is involved in the anticipatory phase of sexual activity associated with motivation and sexual reward. The nigrostriatal pathway is important in the motor behaviour required for consummatory sexual activity in male rats. Lastly the tubero infundibular pathway appears to play a role in baseline sexual interest as opposed to more acute behavioural changes. Regarding relationship between dopamine and prolactin, it remains unclear whether hyperprolactinemia itself is causative or acts as a surrogate marker for decreased dopmine. A recent F-MRI study demonstrated an increase in blood flow to specific dopaminergic and other brain structures when 17 college men and women viewed pictures of people they love and are sexually attracted to. EPINEPHRINE: Plasma levels of epinephrine have been shown to increase prior to viewing an erotic film, slowly increase during masturbation, peak at orgasm, and return to baseline level within several minutes of orgasm. The epinephrine and norepinephrine metabolite, vanillylmandelic acid, increases prior to intercourse and continue to be elevated over baseline upto 23 hours following sexual activity. NOREPINEPHRINE(NE): In men, blood plasma NE levels were positively correlated with arousal and erection during masturbation and sexual activity, increased upto 12-fold at orgasm and declined to baseline levels within 2 minutes of reaching orgasm. Studies suggest that NE is also active during the sexual response cycle of women. Blood plasma levels of NE increased during masturbation, peaked at orgasm, and slowly declined following orgasm in normally functioning women. ACETYLCHOLINE: Erection occurs when the smooth muscles of the corpus cavernosum relax permitting increased blood flow into the penile tissue. The human corpus cavernosum is innervated by cholinergic nerves and contains cholinergic receptors suggesting endogenous cholinergic activity in the penile tissue. Acetylcholine (Ach) appears to play a less direct role in sexual functioning that is largely a function of maintaining the balance of cholinergic and sympathetic input at the genital level. Ach antagonist, atropine showed no effect on either vaginal vaso-congestion or orgasm in women and large doses were insufficient to block penile erection in men, though in vitro administration of Ach to pre-contracted corpus cavernosum induced smooth muscle relaxation. Thus Ach is sufficient to produce vaso-congestion, but not essential for this effect. There are three proposed roles for cholinergic stimulation in promoting sexual arousal specifically1. Alteration of the balance of sympathetic and parasympathetic inputs 2. Facilitation of lubrication by increasing secretions HISTAMINE: Very little is known about the role of histamine in facilitating sexual functioning, but evidence suggests that activity at both H and H receptors in the 2 3 penis can cause erection. There are a few case reports of decreased desire in both men and women taking cimetidine (H antagonist), the mechanism of 2 which may be, decreased peripheral response to testosterone or decreased metabolism of estradiol leading to gynaecomastia in men. GAMMA AMINOBUTYRIC ACID (GABA): GABA enhancing benzodiazepine use has been implicated in case reports of decreased libido, erectile dysfunction and anorgasmia. While mechanisms are poorly understood, it is hypothesised that centrally mediated sedation and peripheral muscle relaxation may be responsible. Apart from the above
mentioned ones, many other putative neurotransmitters, including arginine, vasopressin, angiotensin II, substance P, neuropeptide-Y, a-MSH, GnRH are involved in sexual functioning, but there is little research into their precise role.
USE OF TRADITIONAL MEDICINE IN SEXUAL DYSFUNCTION Traditional medicine came into existence long before Western medicine was developed in Europe. The World Health Organization defined raditional medicine as the sum total of all knowledge and practices, whether explicable or not, used in diagnosing, preventing, and eliminating physical, mental, or societal imbalances. It relies exclusively on practical experience and observation handed down from generation to generation, whether verbally or in writing. The World Health Organization has estimated that 60–80% of the population of non-industrialized countries rely on traditional healthcare for their basic health care needs, either on its own or in conjunction with modern medical care. The demand for traditional medicine is increasing in many countries. Asian traditional medicine predominates in the Asian countries, and it is used for the treatment of various physical and mental illness. Since time immemorial, plants have been used medicinally for general health or to cure a specific illness. The majority of research into the safety and efficacy of medicinal plants or herbs is mainly done in vitro or is based on animal models and there are very limited studies on humans. However, with nodal agencies such as WHO world-wide, CDRI in India in collaboration with ICMR has breathed fresh life into the use of herbal
medicines for a variety of ailments and the biggest consumers of these medicines are the population suffering form ED. A number randomised and non-randomised clinical trials have been conducted both in India and other countries, thus traditional medicines gaining popularity. After the launch of Viagra, a search for the equivalent in the plant kingdom is being pursued with renewed vigor. Some of the various traditional medications used world-over include:
Tongkat Ali, Badam, Horny Goat Weed and Panax Ginseng in addition to these ingredients, a number of effective agents such as L-Arginine a semi-esential amino acid & Zinc an essential trace element have been successfully combined with traditional herbs to treat Male Sexual Dysfunction. Asian folklore describes various concoctions and cure-alls prepared from plants and animal tissues that can enhance male virility and are claimed to solve other sexual health problems, various traditional medicines used in Asia to unlock sexual vitality as well as ones that give sexual strength, stamina, increased libido, vitality and sexual energy and also improve the levels of master hormone testosterone and also improve the physiological process of spermatogenesis.
- jmhg Vol. 4, No. 3, pp. 245–250, September 2007
Ginkgo biloba, Yohimbe, Tribulus terrestris and Mucuna pruriensAPHRODISIACAphrodisiac was named after Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of sexual love, beauty and fruitfulness identified in Roman Mythology with the goddess venus, who was the daughter of Zeus and Dione. However, the Greek word 'aphros' means 'foam' and according to the tradition recounted by Hesoid,Aphrodite arose from the foam generated when the severed genitals of Uranius personification of Heavens were thrown into the sea. Several ancient authorities agreed that she was the wife of the lame blacksmith, Hephaestus. An aphrodisiac can therefore be described as any substance that enhances sex drive and or sexual pleasure. Aphrodisiac can also be viewed as any food, drug, scent or device that can arouse or increase sexual drive or libido. Most aphrodisiacs also heighten other aspects of sensory experience such as light, touch, smell, taste and hearing; and this enhanced sensory awareness contributes to sexual arousal and pleasure.
Based on their mechanism of actions, aphrodisiacs can be divided into three categories which include : a. Aphrodisiacs that simply provide a burst of nutritional value, thereby improving the immediate health or well being of the consumer and consequently improving sexual performance and libido. This simple improvement in general health can lead to a burst of energy and translate into an increased sexual appetite.
b. The second group are those with specific physiological effect. They may affect blood flow; mimic the burning of fire of sex and intercourse and increase the duration of sexual activity.
c. The third group of biologically active aphrodisiacs are those that are psychologically active in nature. They actually cross the blood brain -barrier and mimic or stimulate some areas of sexual arousal. Examples include hormones, pheromones and a wide variety of neurotransmitters.
A medicinal plant can be described as any plant in which one or more of its organs contain substances that can be used for therapeutic purposes or which are precursors for the synthesis of useful drugs. Medicinal plants are very ancient and only true natural medicines that have been found useful in several ways. They can be used directly or in other extracted forms for the management of various ailments because of the presence of many phytochemicals. They can also be used as agents or starting materials in the synthesis of drugs. Traditional herbs have also been a revolutionary breakthrough in the management of sexual inadequacies (sexual dysfunction) and have become known world wide as an “instant” treatment. Nutritional Information (Approximate Values) Each serving / 1.41 g (one soft gelatin capsule) contains approximately: L- Arginine 500 mg Tribulus terrestris 200mg Mucuna pruriens 20mg Ginkgo biloba 20mg Zinc (as Zinc sulphate monohydrate) 10mg Yohimbine bark 1mg Energy 6.61 kcal Protein Fat 0.43 g 0.53 g 3. Synthesis and secretion of NO and VIP, that are essential for arousal |
