A combination of Ferula Asafoetida and Capparis spinosa to enhance sexual functioning in women

A concentrated dry extract of Ferula asafoetida roots and Capparis spinosa buds, was prepared into so called feminine tablets and assessed for safety and efficacy in enhancing female libido. Experimental studies on rats disclosed a high level of safety of this extract with LD50 of 15 g/kg. Cultured human fibroblasts incubated with increasing concentrations of the extract did not exhibit any sign of cellular toxicity as evidenced by LDH-release. Antioxidant properties were demonstrated using the lipid peroxidation method and were substantial at very low concentrations of this extract when incubated with rat liver cells and ferrosulphate. Derived from Sprague Dawley rats, arterial rings with and without their endothelial tissue were contracted under control conditions and during the addition of different extract concentrations. These experiments revealed the feminine extract to be a potent vasodilator due to an endothelial-mediated effect rather than a direct effect on arterial smooth muscle cells. Sixty young, married and healthy females were followed for 6 months while consuming one feminine tablet daily due to indications that separated them into two groups. Feminine was well tolerated by all females and no side effect was reported. The one group (n = 32) was studied due to difficulties in their sexual activity and the other (n = 28) was studied due to infertility that needed no further medical evaluations or treatment. Twenty seven ladies of the first group (84%) reported significant improvements in their sexual difficulties and their libido while the remaining 5 women reported no remarkable change. The FSH levels were significantly decreased, in the second group and five of women (18 %) got pregnant during 3.5 months of feminine consumption, whereas, 21 women of this group (75%) reported a secondary effect, namely, that their libido got remarkably improved within one month of feminine consumption. The results indicate that feminine is a safe sexual tonic enhancing the female sexual functioning rather than the female fertility.