Mondia whitei is a medicinal plant native to Africa that has been used for centuries to treat a variety of ailments. It is known for its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anthelmintic properties, as well as its aphrodisiac effects. In addition to its medicinal uses, Mondia whitei has horticultural, nutritional, and sociocultural values. This review seeks to shed more light on the functions of Mondia whitei as an aphrodisiac based on available scientific evidence.
Mondia whitei has been used to treat anorexia, stress, bilarcia, sexual dysfunction, and general aches and pains. It is also used to treat heartburn, indigestion, flatulence, gonorrhea, abdominal pain, constipation, bilharcia, premature uterine contractions in pregnant women, appetite stimulant, asthma and high blood pressure. The roots are the most popular organ used in traditional medicine; however, this has caused the species to become rare or endangered in the wild. Researchers have evaluated the effectiveness of Mondia whitei by analyzing it for its biological activities.
Studies have documented the use of Mondia whitei in the treatment of malaria, sexual weakness, premature ejaculation and increased sperm production, as well as in the treatment of urinary tract infections, coughs, jaundice, headache and diarrhea. It has also been reported that Mondia whitei is traditionally used as an aphrodisiac to stimulate appetite and in the treatment of stomach pain, body pain, gastrointestinal disorders, gonorrhea and postpartum bleeding. It is used to treat hypertension, stroke, anemia, asthma, hangover, mastitis and allergies. It is also taken to improve sleep, improve urination, relieve labor pain and as a mouth freshener and chew bar.
The leaves serve as fodder for animals and are consumed by humans as vegetables. In an attempt to determine the possible objectives and mechanisms of action of Mondia whitei in the delay of ejaculation observed in the present study, the ejaculation prevention effects of Mondia whitei on dopamine-induced ejaculation in spinalized animals were evaluated. The data obtained with Mondia whitei show that the bioactive compounds present in this medicinal plant exert a retarding effect at the level of the spinal cord by blocking the expression of the ejaculatory motor pattern. Studies have shown that chronic treatment of rats with Mondia whitei induced a significant increase in serum and testicular testosterone levels, testicular protein content, and sperm density. The bottom line is that there is sufficient scientific evidence to support the use of Mondia whitei as an aphrodisiac. To ensure sustainable use and obtain maximum economic benefits from this medicinal plant it is necessary to have empirical information that details their ethnobotanical values, their state of conservation and their commercial potential.
Several authors have suggested solutions such as replacing plants or parts of plants to overcome the problem of overexploitation. Mondia whitei can be used as an alternative medicine in vivo in the treatment of men affected by asthenozoospermia (lower than the reference value for motility) and erectile dysfunction. Therefore it seems that the compounds contained in Mondia whitei extracts act differentially on several structures of the central nervous system involved in the expression of ejaculation.
