APHRODISIAC ACTIVITY OF <i>VITIS VINIFERA</i> JUICE IN WISTAR RATS

Background: It has been known for over 6000 years that Vitis vinifera, grapes have therapeutic properties.  The grape's leaves have been used to treat diarrhea. The grape leaves were also used to treat bleeding, inflammatory, and analgesic diseases. Sore throats have been treated with unripe grapes. Constipation was treated with raisins. In this study, we assessed the aphrodisiac potential of Vitis vinifera juice in Wistar rats. Material and method: In this study mounting behaviour test, mating performance test and orientation activities of male rats were assessed to observe the effect of the juice on the sexual behaviour of the rats. The juice was given orally by gavage at the two doses of 4 ml/kg and 8 ml/kg. Sildenafil citrate (5 mg/kg) was utilized as the control drug. Result: The results of the analysis reveal that the number of mounts was significantly increased in treated groups when compared with the saline-treated group. the number of sperm positive females per cage was significantly increased in treated groups when compared with the saline-treated group. the number of anogenital sniffing, lickings, climbing’s and genital grooming were significantly increased in treated groups when compared with the saline-treated group. Conclusion: Vitis vinifera juice has shown a significant aphrodisiac activity in Wistar rats. This activity could be due to its elevating effect on noradrenaline levels in the brain of the animals.