Tiger nut (Cyperus esculentus L.) supplemented diet modulate key biochemical indices relevant to erectile function in male rats

•Dietary supplementation of tiger nut was investigated on male erectile function.•Tiger nut supplemented diet increased nitric oxide level in penile tissue.•Reduction in the activities of adenosine deaminase, acetylcholinesterase and Arginase.•The dietary supplementation might have modulatory effect on erectile function in male. Tiger nut has been reportedly used in traditional medicine as sex enhancer. Hence, this study sought to investigate its effect in supplemented diet on some key biochemical indices relevant to erectile function in male rats. The rats were divided into five groups (n=8): rats fed basal diet; rats fed diet supplemented with 10% processed tiger nut; rats fed diet supplemented with 10% raw tiger nut; rats fed diet supplemented with 20% processed tiger nut and rats fed diet supplemented with 20% raw tiger nut. After 14days, the corpus cavernosum was isolated for the investigation of adenosine deaminase (ADA), acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and arginase activities as well as nitric oxide (NOx) and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents. A marked reduction in ADA, AChE and arginase activities with a concomitant increase in NOx content when compared to the control was observed. These activities could further buttress aphrodisiac properties of tiger nut as obtained in folklore.