~ 126 ~ Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry 2021; 10(3): 126-153 E-ISSN: 2278-4136 P-ISSN: 2349-8234 www.phytojournal.com JPP 2021; 10(3): 126-153 Received: 22-03-2021 Accepted: 23-04-2021 Azibanasamesa DC Owaba 1) Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island Bayelsa State, Nigeria. 2) Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State, Nigeria Emmanuel I Etim Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State, Nigeria Ekarika C Johnson Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State, Nigeria Uwemedimo F Umoh Department of Pharmacognosy and Natural Medicine, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Uyo, Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State, Nigeria Corresponding Author: Azibanasamesa DC Owaba 1) Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island Bayelsa State, Nigeria. 2) Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State, Nigeria Aphrodisiac agents used in traditional medicine and their mechanism of action - A Review Azibanasamesa DC Owaba, Emmanuel I Etim, Ekarika C Johnson and Uwemedimo F Umoh DOI: https://doi.org/10.22271/phyto.2021.v10.i3b.14085 Abstract Erectile dysfunction is the repeated inability to sustain erection firm enough for sexual intercourse while an aphrodisiac is an agent (food/drug) that arouses sexual activity. Various factors affect sexual performance in men, and include; psychological, hormonal abnormalities, aging, penile injury, chronic diseases, lifestyle, medications and radiation. Aphrodisiac medicinal plants could elicit their effect by providing essential nutrients such as vitamins, minerals and amino acids or could improve blood flow to the penile tissues, e.g. Kaempferia parviflora which could inhibit phosphodiesterase enzyme (PDE-5). Some medicinal plants stimulate or act on the central nervous system to derive their aphrodisiac effects, e.g. Pausinystalia yohimbe due to the presence of an alkaloid yohimbine. Medicinal plants could increase the serum level of cholesterol, testosterone, luteinizing hormone and follicle stimulating hormone and improving the overall male reproductive health. The aim of this research is to review the role of medicinal plants in the management of erectile disorders in men, which could lead to discovery of novel chemical scaffolds for the synthesis of potent aphrodisiac agents. Natural products particularly aphrodisiac medicinal plants remain an important source of new drugs, new drug leads and new chemical entities allowing the design, rational planning of new drug biomimetic, discovery of new therapeutic properties not yet attributed to known compounds and synthesis development. Keywords: Erectile dysfunction, Aphrodisiac agents, Medicinal Plants, Phosphodiesterase inhibitors, Testosterone 1. Introduction Erectile dysfunction may also refer to “Impotence” it is the repeated inability to sustain erection firm enough for sexual intercourse. The cause of erectile dysfunction varies among individuals. Erectile dysfunction can occur when any of the events that lead to erection is disrupted [1, 2] Erectile function is a balance between two contrasting forces, with orgasm happening in between [1] . The aim of this research is to review the role of medicinal plants in the management of erectile disorder in men and their mechanism of action. These could lead to discovery of novel chemical scaffolds for the synthesis of potent aphrodisiac agents. Different factors could cause erectile dysfunction in men, such as damage to nerves, smooth muscles and fibrous tissues. It could also result from diseases, such as diabetes, kidney diseases, chronic alcoholic, muscle sclerosis, atherosclerosis, vascular disease and Neurologic disorders. These diseases are responsible for about 70% of erectile dysfunction in Men [1, 3] , These factors could affect the sexual performance of individuals. 1.2 Factors Affecting Sexual Function i. Psychological: Erectile Dysfunction can also be caused by psychological conditions and social problems such as stress, depression, and unhappy relationships. Erectile dysfunction may be caused by diseases that affect libido and the brain’s perception of arousal, such as Alzheimer’s, stroke, Parkinson, or brain trauma and injury to the spinal cord which may interrupt neural pathways to the sacral region, preventing or inhibiting the process of achieving erection [3, 4-6] . ii. Hormonal Abnormalities: Hormonal abnormalities such as low level of testosterone or androgen have been implicated in the modulation of erectile functions, and high level of prolactin which could cause hypogonadism and low blood testosterone concentration levels could lead to decrease in sex drive. Prolactin increases the production of breast milk and suppresses the secretion of Luteinising Hormone (LH) and Follicle Stimulating Hormone. The role of prolactin in men is not known. However, high level of prolactin in men may cause hypogonadism; low blood testosterone levels, decrease in sex drive (libido) and