Bioactivity of plants used traditionally in the treatment and management of men’s sexual health

Background: In many African societies, men still rely on the long cultural history of utilising medicinal plants to treat and manage their sexual health. Aim: The study evaluated biological activities of 10 ethnobotanically selected medicinal plants. Setting: These plants are used traditionally to treat and manage men’s sexual health in villages under the Thengwe Tribal Authority, Limpopo province. Methods: Acetone extracts were investigated for their antioxidant activity, anti-inflammatory activity against 15-lipoxygenase, inhibition of nitric oxide production on RAW 264.7 macrophages and antimicrobial activity against Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Candida albicans. Phytochemical analysis was performed by determination of total flavonoid and total phenolic content. Results: All the extracts investigated showed moderate to high content of flavonoids and total phenolic content. Cytotoxicity of the extracts was assessed using the XTT reduction assay against Vero monkey kidney cells. Diospyros mespiliformis extract was less toxic and showed significant antioxidant (IC50 = 8.34 µg/mL), anti-inflammatory (IC50 = 63 µg/mL) and antigonococcal (MIC = 0.39 mg/mL) activities. Extracts from Garcinia livingstonei and Rhoicissus tridentata also exhibited promising bioactivity. While these three extracts seem to inhibit the production of nitric oxide, the rest of the extracts seem to promote its production. Conclusion: The findings of the study revealed that the selected plants possess biological activities directly and indirectly associated with men’s sexual health.