Project Materials

THE PHYTOCHEMICAL AND PROXIMATE ANALYSIS OF BURANTASHI STEM ON ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION

ABSTRACT

This study was conducted to examine the phytochemical and proximate effects of Burantashi stem on erectile dysfunction. Burantashi is a popular flavouring compound for barbecued meat (suya) in Nigeria, particularly in the north. Erectile dysfunction (ED) is described as a man’s persistent or recurring inability to achieve or sustain a penile erection sufficient for sexual activity (2nd International Consultation on Sexual Dysfunction – Paris, June 28th – July 1st, 2003). Following the discovery and introduction of Burantashi, research on the mechanism underlying penile erection has received a significant boost, with many preclinical and clinical papers published in the last five years on the peripheral regulation of, and mediators involved in human penile erection. The most well acknowledged risk factors for ED are addressed. The study focusses on human data and the safety and efficacy of Burantashi stem as a PDE5 inhibitor used to treat erectile dysfunction.

Chapter one

INTRODUCTION

Erectile dysfunction, or ED, is a sexual dysfunction that affects men and women’s reproductive systems. According to the National Institute of Health Consensus Developmental Panel on Impotence (1993), it is a sexual dysfunction in males defined as the inability to produce or maintain a penile erection sufficient for optimal sexual performance.

It is also referred to as male impotence or Baby D syndrome. According to the American Psychiatric Association (1994), it is characterised in women by the persistent or recurrent inability to attain or maintain an adequate lubrication-swelling response that is normally present during female sexual arousal, preventing sexual activity. As a result, it is also known as women’s impotence or female erectile dysfunction.

Impotence can also refer to various issues that interfere with sexual intercourse and reproduction, such as a lack of sexual desire and difficulty ejaculating or orgasm. The phrase “erectile dysfunction” makes it apparent that these other issues are not involved (NIH, 2005).

An erection arises as a result of blood entering and being maintained in sponge-like structures within the penis and clitoris. Sexual arousal, which sends messages from the brain to nerves in the pelvis, is the most common trigger for the process. Erectile dysfunction is defined as an erection that is persistently difficult or impossible to achieve despite arousal (Laumann et al, 1999).

1.1 The prevalence of erectile dysfunction among men

Erectile dysfunction, or ED, varies in severity; some men are completely unable to generate an erection, while others have variable capacity to achieve an erection and can only maintain a brief erection. Estimating the frequency of erectile dysfunction is difficult due to its varying severity.

Many men are often reluctant to address erectile dysfunction with their doctors, thus the disease goes undiagnosed. Nonetheless, scientists believe that ED affects 30 million men in the United States.

Again, according to statistical research conducted by Adegunloye and Eze in Nigeria in 2002 and 1994, respectively, results show that approximately 23-26.4% of men suffer from this condition, whereas Spector and Carey in 1999 discovered that approximately 4-9% of men suffer from the condition in the US.

While erectile dysfunction can occur at any age, it is rare in young men and more common in the elderly. By the age of 45, the majority of men have suffered erectile dysfunction at some point.

According to the Massachusetts Male Ageing Study, the prevalence of total impotence rises from 5% among males 40 years old to 15% among men 70 and beyond. Population studies conducted in the Netherlands discovered that 20% of males aged 50 to 54 had some kind of ED, as did 50% of men aged 70 to 78.

In 1998, the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey reported 1,520,000 visits to doctor’s offices for emergency care.

1.2 Prevalence of erectile dysfunction among women

Erectile dysfunction, often known as female erectile dysfunction, affects around 43% of American women (NIH Consensus Conference 1993).

And this medical illness is characterised by a persistent or recurring failure to achieve or maintain a clitoral erection until the end of sexual activity; an appropriate lubrication-swelling response, which is ordinarily present during female sexual arousal and sexual activity, is thus absent.

The condition is referred to as frigidity (American Psychiatric Association, 1994). Again, according to Otubu et al. in 1989, around 8.7% of women in the United States suffer from this ailment

whereas Adegunloye in 2002 and Eze in 1994 report that 35.3-40% of women in Nigeria suffer from this condition. Spector and Carey (1994) reported 5-10% in the United States.

Furthermore, female erectile dysfunction can occur at any age, but it is most common in older adults. Menopause is the most major age-related alteration (Karen, 2000; Rod et al., 2008).

Diabetes, atherosclerosis, hormone imbalances, neurological issues, and other organic factors can all contribute to erectile dysfunction, as can stress and sadness.

Aside from treating the underlying causes (organic or psychological), the first line treatment for ED is a trial of a PDE5 inhibitor (the first being sildenafil or Viagra).

In some cases, treatments may include urethral prostaglandin tablets, intracarvenous injections with a fine needle into the penis or clitoris to cause swelling, a penis or clitoris prosthesis, a penis or clitoris pump or vascular surgery, oestrogen replacement therapy for women, and so on (Kendric et al., 2005).

Although there are many treatments and strategies used to treat this ailment, for the sake of this project, the treatment is limited to yohimbine, an extract from Pausinystalia yohimbe.