ProLensis™ (Bulbine natalensis)

[heavyiron]

The prosexual effect of the testosterone booster ProLensis™ (Bulbine natalensis)

Bulbine natalensis is quickly gaining popularity in the sports supplement world. It's easy to see why – the effects of extracts of Bulbine natalensis recorded in animal studies are amazing.

The photo shows the African botanical Bulbine natalensis. Its Zulu name is ibhucu; Afrikaners call it rooiwortel. Bulbine natalensis is an indigenous African botanical that is traditionally used in South African herbal medicine to improve potency in men (as an aphrodisiac). Additionally the leaves, roots, and sap are all used respectively for a variety of ailments: to treat bug stings, mosquito bites, blisters, cold sores, mouth ulcers, cracked skin, to soothe sunburn, disinfect cuts, and to speed the healing of bruises. Bulbine natalensis has been safely used for thousands of years in Southern Africa which means that it has been granted “traditional medicine” status and is considered safe to use.

In 2009 researchers at the University of Ford Hare in South Africa published the results of an animal study in which they had given male rats water-based extracts of Bulbine natalensis for a week. The results demonstrate that it helps to boost testosterone, progesterone, luteinizing hormone, and follicle-stimulating hormone levels and decrease estrogen levels.

A control group was given 50 mg per kg body weight of sildenafil, the active ingredient in Viagra. Sildenafil had almost no effect on testosterone and luteinizing hormone levels. The Bulbine natalensis extract however significantly increased testosterone and luteinizing hormone levels at doses of 25 and 50 mg per kg body weight. Whereas the estradiol concentration decreased significantly at all the doses in the Bulbine natalensis extract groups. (25, 50, and 100mg per kg body weight). However the extract dose of 100mg per kg body weight decreased the serum testosterone and progesterone levels in male rats. The prolactin concentration was not affected by all the doses.

The figure above shows that the extracts led to an increase in the number of times that the experimental male rats mounted the females. The effect of Bulbine natalensis is greater than the effect of sildenafil. This means that the extract heightens sexual interest and this initial rodent data suggests that it has the potential to outperform the leading erectile dysfunction drug. This may be due to the spectacular effects of the extract on increasing testosterone levels. Rodents receiving Bulbine Natalensis had a serum testosterone level equal to 347% of the control group; in that same group, estrogen was 35% lower (50 mg per kg body weight group). According to another paper by the same researchers, published in 2010, the extract activates enzymes in the testes.

These results are indicative of prosexual stimulatory potentials of Bulbine natalensis in male rats. The aqueous extract of Bulbine natalensis stem at these doses (25 and 50 mg per kg body weight) may be used in the management of disorders of desire or libido, premature ejaculation and erectile dysfunction in males. Bulbine natalensis enhanced the success rate of mating and fertility due to increased libido as well as the levels of reproductive hormones (serum testosterone, progesterone, luteinizing hormone, and follicle-stimulating hormone) in male rats.

Human Application

How this data translates to humans is unclear. However preliminary data confirms that ProLensis™ (Bulbine natalensis) does in fact raise testosterone levels in human males. Since the rodent trial using the larger 100mg per kg body weight dose demonstrated a negative correlation to testosterone values it is very important that recommended doses of ProLensis™ are not exceeded as this may actually lower testosterone levels.

Athletes looking to enhance their hormonal profile, support a healthy endocrine system, or improve their recovery, can all benefit from the use of this botanical in a dietary supplement. Additionally, those looking to improve their libido or experience prosexual effects, may potentially benefit from ProLensis™ (Bulbine Natalensis).

ProLensis™ is one of the main ingredients in IronMagLabs ULTRA MALE Rx™ Testosterone Enhancement Formula

IronMagLabs Ultra Male Rx

References
1.Effect of aqueous extract of Bulbine natalensis (Baker) stem on the sexual behaviour of male rats.
2.Anabolic and androgenic activities of Bulbine natalensis stem in male Wistar rats.
3.Reproductive toxicologic evaluations of Bulbine natalensis Baker stem extract in albino rats.
4.Effect of Bulbine natalensis Baker stem extract on the functional indices and histology of the liver and kidney of male Wistar rats.

~heavyiron

 

[heavyiron]

Int J Androl. 2009 Dec;32(6):629-36. Epub 2008 Aug 15.
Effect of aqueous extract of Bulbine natalensis (Baker) stem on the sexual behaviour of male rats.

Yakubu MT, Afolayan AJ.
Source

Centre for Phytomedicine Research, Department of Botany, University of Fort Hare, Alice, South Africa.

Abstract

The phytochemical constituents of aqueous extract of Bulbine natalensis (Baker) stem and its effect on male rat sexual behaviour were evaluated for 7 days. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of saponins, cardiac glycoside, tannins, alkaloids and anthraquinones. Administration of the extract at the doses of 25 and 50 mg/kg body weight resulted in the significant increase (p < 0.05) in mount frequency, intromission frequency, ejaculatory latency, ejaculation frequency, serum testosterone and luteinizing hormone concentrations, computed indices of sexual behaviour, erection, quick flips, long flips and total penile reflexes whereas the mount latency, intromission latency and post-ejaculatory interval were significantly decreased (p < 0.05) throughout the experimental period. The 100 mg/kg body weight of the extract produced contrasting pattern to the lower doses of the extract in all the parameters of sexual behaviour monitored throughout the experimental period. The results are indicative of prosexual stimulatory potentials of Bulbine natalensis in male rats. The aqueous extract of Bulbine natalensis stem at these doses (25 and 50 mg/kg body weight) may be used in the management of disorders of desire/libido, premature ejaculation and erectile dysfunction in males.

PMID:18710410 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

 

[heavyiron]

Pharm Biol. 2010 May;48(5):568-76.
Anabolic and androgenic activities of Bulbine natalensis stem in male Wistar rats.

Yakubu MT, Afolayan AJ.
Source

Centre for Phytomedicine Research, Department of Botany, University of Fort Hare, Alice, South Africa.

Abstract

Aqueous extract of Bulbine natalensis Baker (Asphodelaceae) stem at 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg body weight was investigated for anabolic and androgenic effects in male Wistar rats. Sixty male rats were grouped into four (A-D) consisting of 15 each. Group A (control) was orally treated with 0.5 mL of distilled water for 14 days while groups B, C and D were treated like the control except they received 0.5 mL containing 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg body weight of the extract respectively. All the doses of the extract increased (P <0.05) the testicular-body weight ratio as well as alkaline phosphatase activity, glycogen, sialic acid, protein, and cholesterol content of the testes except the single administration of 100 mg/kg body weight which compared well (P>0.05) with the controls for glycogen and cholesterol. The testicular and serum testosterone concentration were increased except in the 100 mg/kg body weight where the effect on the tissue and serum hormone did not manifest until after the first and seven daily doses respectively. Testicular acid phosphatase activity, serum follicle stimulating and luteinizing hormone concentrations also increased at all the doses except in the 100 mg/kg body weight where the effect on the enzyme and the hormone did not manifest until after seven days. The increases were most pronounced in the 50 mg/kg body weight extract treated animals. The results indicate anabolic and androgenic activities of Bulbine natalensis stem in male rat testes with the 50 mg/kg body weight of the extract exhibiting the highest anabolizing and androgenic activities. These activities further support the folkloric use of the plant most especially at 50 mg/kg body weight in the management of male sexual dysfunction in South Africa.

PMID:20645801 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

 

[heavyiron]

Theriogenology. 2009 Aug;72(3):322-32. Epub 2009 May 1.
Reproductive toxicologic evaluations of Bulbine natalensis Baker stem extract in albino rats.

Yakubu MT, Afolayan AJ.
Source

Phytomedicine Research Centre, Department of Botany, University of Fort Hare, Alice 5700, South Africa.

Abstract

The effects of oral administration of aqueous extract of Bulbine natalensis Baker stem at daily doses of 25, 50, and 100mg/kg body weight on the reproductive function of Wistar rats were evaluated. The indices of mating and fertility success as well as quantal frequency increased after 7 days of treatment in all the dose groups except the 100mg/kg body weight group. The number of litters was not statistically different (P>0.05) from the control. Whereas the absolute weights of the epididymis, seminal vesicle, and prostate were not affected, that of the testes was significantly increased. The epididymal sperm count, motility, morphology, and viscosity were not different from the control after 7 days of treatment. The male rat serum testosterone, progesterone, luteinizing hormone, and follicle-stimulating hormone significantly increased in the 25 and 50mg/kg body weight groups, whereas the estradiol concentration decreased significantly at all the doses. The extract dose of 100mg/kg body weight decreased the serum testosterone and progesterone levels in male rats. The prolactin concentration was not affected by all the doses. All the indices of reproduction, maternal, embryo/fetotoxic, teratogenic, and reproductive hormones in the female rats were not statistically different from that of their control except the resorption index, which increased at the dose of 100mg/kg body weight of the extract. Histologic examination of the cross section of rat testes that received the extract at all the doses investigated revealed well-preserved seminiferous tubules with normal amount of stroma, normal population of spermatogenic and supporting cells, as well as normal spermatocytes within the lumen. The results revealed that the aqueous extract of Bulbine natalensis stem at doses of 25 and 50mg/kg body weight enhanced the success rate of mating and fertility due to increased libido as well as the levels of reproductive hormones in male rats. The absence of alterations in the reproductive parameters of female rats at doses of 25 and 50mg/kg body weight of Bulbine natalensis stem extract suggest that the extract is "safe" for use at these doses by females during the organogenic period of pregnancy, whereas the extract dose of 100mg/kg body weight portends a negative effect on some reproductive functions of male and female rats.

PMID:19410284 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

 

[heavyiron]

J Med Food. 2009 Aug;12(4):814-20.
Effect of Bulbine natalensis Baker stem extract on the functional indices and histology of the liver and kidney of male Wistar rats.

Afolayan AJ, Yakubu MT.
Source

Centre for Phytomedicine Research, Department of Botany, University of Fort Hare, Alice, South Africa. Aafolayan@ufh.ac.za

Abstract

The effects of aqueous extract of Bulbine natalensis Baker stem at 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg of body weight for 14 days on the functional indices of liver and kidney as well as the histology of the rat organs were evaluated. The extract did not significantly (P < .05) alter the total protein, sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium, magnesium, uric acid, and creatinine levels in the serum of rats. However, the 50 and 100 mg/kg of body weight doses reduced the liver- and kidney-body weight ratios by the end of the experimental period. While the extract increased the activities of liver gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine and aspartate aminotransferase (ALT and AST, respectively), and total bilirubin, globulin, and urea, the levels of albumin, conjugated bilirubin, inorganic phosphorus, and kidney ALP and GGT decreased. The activities of serum ALP, GGT, ALT, and AST also increased throughout the experimental period. The extract produced higher effects on the liver functional indices (39%) than the kidney parameters (21%). Histological examination revealed slight distortions in the architecture of the liver lobules as well as proximal and convoluted tubules of the kidney. The alterations produced in some of the functional indices as well as in the hepatorenal architecture may adversely affect the normal hepatic and renal functions. The parameter-specific effect of the extract suggests selective toxicity. This is an indication that the extract is not completely "safe" as an oral remedy.

PMID:19735182 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

 

[Arnold]