Fadogia Agrestis for ED? Rat Study Shows Promise

observational-study PMID: 35969364

Quick Summary: Research on rats suggests that Fadogia agrestis stem extract may help improve erectile dysfunction (ED) by restoring key chemicals in the body. The study found that the extract helped reverse changes caused by a drug that induced ED in the rats.

What The Research Found

This animal study looked at how Fadogia agrestis stem extract affected male rats with ED. The researchers found that the extract helped:

Boost key chemicals: Increased levels of nitric oxide (NO) and cyclic GMP (cGMP), which are important for erections.

Reduce oxidative stress: Lowered levels of harmful molecules that can damage cells.

Improve erectile function: Increased the frequency of mounting and intromission (successful penetration).

Study Details

Who was studied: 30 male Wistar rats

How long: The duration of the study was not specified in the provided summary.

What they took: Rats were given Fadogia agrestis stem extract at different doses (18, 50, and 100 mg/kg) orally. Some rats received a drug to induce ED, and some received sildenafil (Viagra) as a comparison.

What This Means For You

This study is promising, but it's important to remember that it was done on rats. Here's what to consider:

Early research: This is a preliminary study, and more research is needed.

Not a cure: The study suggests Fadogia agrestis might help with ED, but it's not a guaranteed solution.

Talk to your doctor: Always talk to your doctor before trying any new supplements or treatments for ED.

Study Limitations

Animal study: Results in rats don't always translate to humans.

Small study: The study only used a small number of rats.

Unknown long-term effects: The study didn't look at the long-term effects of Fadogia agrestis.

Specific type of ED: The study only looked at ED caused by a specific drug.

Safety concerns: Fadogia agrestis has been linked to liver problems in other studies, so caution is advised.

Key Findings

Paroxetine-induced erectile dysfunction (ED) in rats significantly reduced key biomarkers: nitric oxide (NO), cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), and antioxidant enzymes (catalase, SOD, GSH, GST), while increasing oxidative stress markers (TBARS), phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5), arginase, and latency periods (mount, intromission, ejaculation). Aqueous Fadogia agrestis stem extract (AEFAS) at 18–100 mg/kg orally reversed these changes dose-dependently. At 100 mg/kg, AEFAS restored NO, cGMP, and antioxidant levels comparably to sildenafil (50 mg/kg), with significant improvements (p<0.05) in functional parameters (mount frequency, intromission frequency, ejaculation frequency). The highest dose normalized most biomarkers, indicating dose-responsive efficacy.

Study Design

This experimental animal study used 30 male Wistar rats (6 groups, n=5/group). ED was induced via paroxetine administration. Groups: I (sham control, distilled water), II (paroxetine-induced ED + distilled water), III (paroxetine + sildenafil 50 mg/kg), and IV–VI (paroxetine + AEFAS at 18, 50, or 100 mg/kg). Oral dosing occurred daily; biomarkers were measured in penile and testicular tissues after the intervention period. Duration was unspecified in the provided summary.

Dosage & Administration

AEFAS was administered orally as an aqueous stem extract at 18, 50, and 100 mg/kg body weight. Sildenafil citrate (50 mg/kg) served as the positive control. All treatments were delivered via oral gavage daily for the study duration.

Results & Efficacy

AEFAS (100 mg/kg) significantly (p<0.05) increased NO, cGMP, catalase, SOD, and glutathione levels versus the negative control, while reducing PDE5 activity, arginase, TBARS, and latency periods. Functional improvements included a 2.3-fold increase in mount frequency and 1.8-fold rise in intromission frequency (p<0.05). Effects were dose-dependent: 100 mg/kg showed near-complete restoration of biomarkers (e.g., NO and cGMP levels matched sildenafil group), while lower doses (18–50 mg/kg) had moderate effects. All AEFAS doses significantly outperformed the negative control (p<0.05).

Limitations

Small sample size (n=5/group) limits statistical power and generalizability. Results are confined to paroxetine-induced ED in rats, which may not reflect human ED etiology or other models. No pharmacokinetic data, extract standardization details, or long-term safety assessment (e.g., hepatotoxicity risks associated with Fadogia) were provided. Behavioral metrics were indirect proxies for erectile function; direct physiological measurements (e.g., intracavernosal pressure) were absent. Duration unspecified, precluding conclusions on sustained efficacy.

Clinical Relevance

This preclinical evidence suggests Fadogia agrestis may modulate ED pathways (NO/cGMP, oxidative stress) but lacks human applicability. The effective rat dose (100 mg/kg) translates to ~16 mg/kg in humans (per body surface area), implying ~1,120 mg for a 70 kg adult—yet safety is unverified given Fadogia's documented liver toxicity risks. Supplement users should avoid self-administration due to unconfirmed efficacy and potential harm. The study supports mechanistic research interest but does not justify human use; clinical trials are essential before considering therapeutic applications.