Pharmacological Evaluation Of Cannabis Indica For Their Aphrodisiac Potential

Objective: The plant Cannabis indica is a very popular and well known plant across the globe since thousands of years. In India also it is even more popular as bhang or marijuna from ancient time. A quite descriptions of this plant is written in various ancient books like the granths, vedas, puranas, ayurvedic books, dravyaguna, etc.. Number of medicinal properties have been described for different parts of the plant like flower buds(Ganja), Leaf (Bhang) & Leaf wax (Charas). All the parts of this plant have potent and complex psychotropic properties along with some additional therapeutic actions on different body systems. Here we have fond some opportunities to evaluate herbal extracts of leaves for having aphrodisiac potential. Method: The aphrodisiac activity of Cannabis indica leaf extracts (Pet.ether, methenol & aqueous) were evaluated in male albino rats. Extracts were administered at a dose of 150mg/kg body weight. At an interval of 0,7,14,21 & 28 day several sexual behavior parameters were determined. At the end serum testosterone and FSH level were also determined. Results: This study also contributes to the pharmacology of aphrodisiacs as the plant Cannabis indica leaf extracts has significant effects on sexual physiology. It has shown effects on sexual behaviors as well as significant change in gonadotropin hormone labels in animal blood serum. Conclusion: This study provides a strong experimental evidence for its aphrodisiac use.