Root Extract of Purwoceng (Pimpinella pruatjan) Enhances Aggressiveness, but Not Libido, in Male Mice

Aims: Purwoceng herbs, Pimpinella pruatjan Molk., are widely marketed in Indonesia; it is believed that the plant was used by ancient Javanese kings as an aphrodisiac. Unfortunately, the claim that purwoceng is an effective aphrodisiac lacks support from biological and pharmacological studies. This study aimed to test whether purwoceng extract affects aggressiveness and sexual behaviour in mice.

Study Design: The study employed a completely randomised design using five concentration levels repeated three times.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at the Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Sciences, University of Lampung, Bandar Lampung, Indonesia, between December 2016 and March 2017.

Methodology: Male mice (n = 20), aged 4 months and weighing 25–30 g, were divided into four groups. Group 1 comprised animals treated individually with 0.5% CMC (carboxymethyl cellulose; as controls). Groups 2, 3 and 4 were treated with 0.8 mg, 1.6 mg and 3.2 mg, respectively, of purwoceng extract suspended in 0.5% CMC. All treatments were administered orally with a total suspension volume of 0.5 ml per feed, once daily for 35 days.

Results: The results showed that the mice treated with purwoceng extract had a shortened latency of attacks and increased frequency of attacks. However, none of the sexual behaviour parameters of the mice, including courtship latency, mounting latency, mounting frequency and latency of copulation, were affected by the purwoceng extract.

Conclusion: It is suggested that ethanolic root extract of purwoceng has the potential to enhance aggressiveness, but not libido, in male mice.