Burantashi
Burantashi (literally "penis get up") is a native Hausa-Fulani virility drug similar to Viagra.
Burantashi is used as a food additive to barbecued meat (suya) in Nigeria, especially the Northern parts. It is claimed to have aphrodisiac and penile-erection enhancing properties. It is derived from the bark of the African tree Pausinystalia yohimbe. Yohimbine, an alpha- 2 antagonist has been used widely with variable success in erectile dysfunction, but the whole bark of the tree was not studied until recently. Pure Burantashi powder obtained from a local suya vendor in Lagos, Nigeria was extracted aqueously and studied on the renal circulation of Sprague-Dawley rats [1]. In the in vivo study, the extract code-named "CCD-X", caused a rise in mean arterial pressure (MAP), and a rise in renal medullary blood flow (MBF). This systemic vasoconstrictor and renal medullary dilator action was attenuated separately by the endothelin -A receptor blocker - BMS-182874, ET-B blocker -BQ788, but blocked by their combination [1]. Further, the nitric oxide inhibitor (NO), L-Nomega - nitro-Arginine Methyl Ester (L-NAME) 10mg/kg totally inhibited the rise in medullary blood flow due to CCD-X ( P< 0.001).in vitro studies in isolated perfused kidneys (IPK) and in pressurised microvessels ( PMV) confirmed the in vivo effect to cause vasoconstriction, which was inhibited by endothelin A and B antagonists ( p< 0.001) The pressor dose response characteristic of CCD-X on PMV was similar to that of endothelin-1 with EC50 close to 100ng. It was concluded from these studies that, the aqueous extract exhibited (1) a vasoconstrictor effect -possibly alpha-2 mediated like yohimbine. However, it possessed additional effects as a Endothelin receptor ( A, B )agonist, and also released Nitric oxide like sildenafil (viagra). The possibility of a post-receptor cross-talk among ET-B, alpha-2 receptors and NO release was also considered. Burantashi is already being used dissolved in solution in the USA as a herbal alternative for erectile dysfunction " agbomola" - meaning - saviour of man hood. Thin layer chromatography showed that the bark is rich in sequisterpenes, and has antifungal and antibiotic properties as well. Whether CCD-X will be useful in sickle cell disease ( releasing NO) is unknown. Further basic and clinical research, (Randomized Controlled Trials) are needed.
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