TITLE:
Effect of Aqueous Extract of Phoenix dactylifera Pollen on Dopamine System of Nucleus Accumbens in Male Rats
AUTHORS:
Ali Abedi, Seyyed Morteza Karimian, Mohsen Parviz, Perham Mohammadi, Hamid Reza Sadeghipour Roudsari
KEYWORDS:
Phoenix dactylifera; Date Palm Pollen; Dopamine; Nucleus Accumbens; Microdialysis; Male Rat
JOURNAL NAME:
Neuroscience and Medicine,
Vol.5 No.1,
March
24,
2014
ABSTRACT:
Background: Dopamine has been known
to facilitate male sexual function. Methods: The effect of aqueous extract (140
mg/kg) of Phoenix dactylifera date palm pollen on sexual behavior and determining
of dopamine transmission in the nucleus accumbens was studied
in male rats using in vivo microdialysis. Results: Releasing of dopamine increased significantly in the
nucleus accumbens when a receptive female was introduced behind a screen (p 0.001). During copulation, dopamine
increased markedly in control and treated rats. Phoenix dactylifera Date Palm Pollen enhanced the orientation of males towards females by
increasing mounting and ano-genital investigatory behavior. Improving of sexual
behavior and dopamine release was higher in treated rats in comparison with
control (p 0.001). Conclusion: These
results indicate a neurochemical basis for interaction between dopaminergic
agents and male sexual behavior. Therefore, Phoenix dactylifera Date Palm Pollen
seems to act as a dopamine agonist and to cure
male infertility. It can be used as an aphrodisiac that
leads to further increases in dopamine release.