ABSTRACT:
Sexual desire (SD) is often considered normal, but many men lose their sexual life due to poor health conditions. Erectile dysfunction (ED), commonly called impotence, is a condition of sexual dysfunction in the process of male sexual activity. The use of common therapies such as phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibition will cause long-term side effects, so alternatives are needed to overcome it. One natural solution that has the potential as an aphrodisiac is Lelak (Uvaria rufa), a plant that is traditionally used by the people of East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia, to overcome male sexual dysfunction. This study aims to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of U. rufa caulis extract as an aphrodisiac through acute toxicity tests and in vivo testing. The 70% ethanol extract of U. rufa caulis (EeUrC), obtained through the maceration method, was evaluated for its toxicity based on the level of mortality in zebrafish embryos referring to OECD Guideline No. 236, and its aphrodisiac activity was measured through testicular weight parameters and the number of Leydig cells (LC). The results showed that the LD50 of EeUrC was 1096.7 µg/ml, which indicated relatively harmless (>1000 µg/ml), while (AA3) a dose of 1.7 mg/20 g BW of mice body weight per day was stated as the optimal dose for aphrodisiac activity. In conclusion, EeUrC is safe with mild toxicity and effective at optimal doses as an aphrodisiac.