Tetracarpidium conophorum Müll. Arg modulates sexual behaviour and biochemical parameters relevant to sexual function in male Wistar rats.

Walnut (Tetracarpidium conophorum Müll. Arg) has been reported to be an essential ingredient in folklore medicine for sexual enhancement with little scientific validation. Hence, this study investigated the effects of walnut supplemented diet on sexual behaviour and biochemical parameters relevant to erection in male Wistar rats. Forty animals used in this study were divided into five groups (n = 8); Group 1 - normal control rats fed with basal diet, Group II - rats fed diet supplemented with 10% processed walnut, Group III - rats fed diet supplemented with 10% raw walnut, Group IV - rats fed diet supplemented with 20% processed walnut and Group V - rats fed diet supplemented with 20% raw walnut. Behavioural studies (copulation tendency and anxiety) associated with sexual function, measurement of nitric oxide (NO) levels, adenosine deaminase (ADA), arginase and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activities in the Corpus cavernosum as well as characterization of bioactive components of the nut were evaluated. Marked reductions in ADA and arginase activities and a concomitant increase (% inclusion dependent) in the level of NO as well as enhanced sexual behaviours were observed in rat fed supplemented walnut when compared to the control. Furthermore, analysis of the walnut using high performance liquid chromatography indicated the presence of some polyphenols. From our findings, it showed that walnut improves sexual behaviour and modulates activities of key enzymes relevant to erection in male rats which may justify its used in traditional medicine.