Pheromones and Their Role As Aphrodisiacs: a Review
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See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/259173487 Pheromones and their role as aphrodisiacs: A review Article · December 2013 DOI: 10.1016/S2221-6189(13)60140-7 CITATIONS READS 2 212 4 authors, including: Alok Semwal Ratendra Kumar Himanchal Institute of Pharmacy, Paonta Sa… Translam Group of Institutions 41 PUBLICATIONS 74 CITATIONS 28 PUBLICATIONS 33 CITATIONS SEE PROFILE SEE PROFILE Ramandeep Singh Amar Shaheed Baba Ajit Singh Jujhar Singh … 49 PUBLICATIONS 128 CITATIONS SEE PROFILE Some of the authors of this publication are also working on these related projects: Aphrodisiac potential of Indian Medicinal plants. View project All content following this page was uploaded by Ratendra Kumar on 05 April 2016. The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file. All in-text references underlined in blue are added to the original document and are linked to publications on ResearchGate, letting you access and read them immediately. Journal of Acute Disease (2013)253-261 253 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Journal of Acute Disease journal homepage: www.jadweb.org Document heading doi: 10.1016/S2221-6189(13)60140-7 Pheromones and their role as aphrodisiacs: A review 1 2 1 3 Alok Semwal *, Ratendra Kumar , Udai Vir Singh Teotia , Ramandeep Singh 1Department of Pharmacy, Shri Venkateshwara University, Gajraula, U.P (India) 2Meerut Institute of Engineering & Technology, Meerut-250005, UP (India) 3Department of Pharmacy, Himachal Institute of Pharmacy, Paonta Sahib-173025, H.P (India) ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT Article history: Since the beginning of the human existence on the earth reproductive biology remained a main Received 28 June 2013 concern of research because of its importance. It is widely recognized and demonstrated that Received in revised form 28 July 2013 odors play an important role in mammalian reproduction. A large number of studies have been Accepted 26 August 2013 carried out in humans, in order to investigate possible pheromones, their properties, mechanism Available online 20 December 2013 of action, and possible receptors for their action. Till now scientific studies indicated that humans Keywords: use olfactory communication and are even able to produce and perceive certain pheromones. This review article aims to highlight the role of human pheromones as aphrodisiacs Pheromone Aphrodisiacs Reproduction Steroids glands at the base of the hair follicles, especially in the 1. Introduction armpits and in the genital region, which produce chemicals (pheromones), the odor of which might affect members of the The term aphrodisiac originated from the Greek word opposite sex. The chemicals are spread over the hair surface Aphrodite, the Greek god of love, Sex and romance. Aztec and then very efficiently dissipated. Volatile aliphatic acids and Incan cultures used aphrodisiacs for reproductive occur in the normal vaginal secretions of many primates, purposes they used plant and animal substances like, figs, including humans. Their strong odors (e.g., butyric acid bananas, chocolate, and cocoa bean. Ancient Asia used with its smell of rancid butter) have been shown to stimulate insects and animal parts for the same purpose. Aphrodisiacs male monkeys to increased sexual activity. Many steroidal are the substances which stimulate sexual desire, for e.g., hormones and related chemicals have a noticeable odor, basil, cinnamon, pine nuts, garlic, chilli-pepper, cardamom including chemicals called androstenones[2]. etc. Sexual desire is controlled by central nervous system Pheromones in animals and insects have been known for which integrates tactile, olfactory, auditory and mental a long time. These are the primary communication system stimuli; Sexual performance which is not always dependant for animals used to sense danger, food and mating. In fact on sexual desire is also called sexual performance or sexual animals rely on pheromones for their survival. Human capacity[1]. pheromones may be defined as natural chemicals produced First aphrodisiac was human body odor later on it was by an individual and transferred by air that affects the found that it is caused by pheromones. Humans have sexual physiology of another individual. They are believed to send out subconscious scent signals to the opposite sex *Corresponding author: Alok Semwal, Research Scholar, Department of Pharmacy, T that trigger very powerful responses.“ he ”word pheromone Shri Venkateshwara University, Gajraula, U.P (India). is derived from the Greek word pherein - to carry, and Tel: +91-9736295124 “ ” E-mail: [email protected] hormon - to excite. Karlson and Luscher[3](1959) coined Alok Semwal et al./ Journal of Acute Disease (2013)253-261 254 the term pheromone for the first time. Pheromones are also In particular, it is assumed that primer pheromones trigger called ectohormones, meaning chemical messengers that the secretion of GnRH from the hypothalamus, which in are transported outside the body and have the capability to turn triggers the release of gonadotropins (LH, FSH) from trigger responses like physiological and behavior changes. the pituitary gland. These gonadotropins influence gonadal Human pheromone detection has also been proposed to hormone secretion, e.g. follicle maturation in the ovaries in be the reason of instant attraction or dislike when first females, testosterone and sperm production in males[5]. meeting someone. Currently, human pheromones remained ambiguous bioactive compounds, as only a few have been 3. Occurrence of pheromones identified. Standard bioassays have suggested that they are nonvolatile, activate vomeronasal sensory neurons and regulate innate social behavior and neuroendocrine release, One of the first discoveries of pheromones was in the but unfortunately there is lack of scientific data to proof the 1930s. Entomologists noticed that female moths have the following action. extraordinary ability to excite male moths even when the Recent discoveries of potential pheromones reveal that males cannot see or hear them. This was the first case they may be more structurally and functionally diverse than when existence of certain type of chemical or fragrance previously defined[4]. With the progress in recent scientific was noticed by the scientists, which was responsible for the research it was found that not only the natural scents such sexual activity in moths. They discovered that the males as pheromones but also the synthetic smells originated from actually smell the fragrance of the females in the air with jasmine, vanilla, pumpkin and cranberry are aphrodisiac in very sensitive antennae. Eventually the scientists were able nature and arouses sexual desire. Scientists from worldwide to isolate the fragrance and they found out it can stimulate continue to study the effects of foods, herbs and other millions of moths with just three hundred millionths of an substances on the body in order to find powerful aphrodisiac ounce[6]. Later on it was determined that pheromones are agents. very potent in nature and even a single molecule of this pheromone was enough to stimulate the receptor cells of the moths. Scientists later discovered that the pheromone was 2. Pheromones secreted from the abdomen of the moth and was a chemical named bombykol (named after the moth, Bombyx mori) and Small, volatile organic molecules are of extreme its chemical structure was trans-10-cis-12-hexadecadienol importance among many animals for the transmission (Figure 1)[7]. of information on sexual availability to members of the S opposite sex. uch molecules“ are called pheromones,” after a Greek word meaning to transfer excitement . The human body also secrets several compounds with strong HO scent, as well as compounds which can be transformed by Figure 1. bacteria into chemicals with a strong and lingering odor. trans-10-cis-12-hexadecadienol. Pheromones are chemical messengers that are emitted into Some of the most well known and studied pheromones the environment from the body where they can then activate exist in social insects, including honeybees, ants, and specific physiological or behavioural responses in other termites. The most popular uses of pheromones for these individuals of the same species. According to their nature species include the caste system, or individual and class and mechanism pheromones are of various types, these recognition, alarm, and assembly and recruitment[8]. T 32 •include primers, releasers, signalers and modulators. here are a minimum of compounds just in the head Primer pheromones typically affect endocrine or of honeybee queens. Two of the most popular contrasting neuroendocrine responses such as the onset of puberty, pheromones in honeybees are 9-keto-2-decenoic acid and estrus/menstrual cycle timing and onset and pregnancy 9-hydroxy-2-decenoic acid (Figure 2 and 3). disruption.• O O Releaser pheromones typically elicit a behavioral response. Sexual attractants are the most common examples of releasers. HO • Figure 2. Modulator pheromones have been, thus far, 9-keto-2-decenoic acid. uniquely described for humans: These are chemosensory O cues• that modulate affect or context of other people. Signaler pheromones have been discussed as HO chemical signals that provide a variety of information to Figure 3. OH the smeller: sex of the sender, reproductive status, age and 9-hydroxy-2-decenoic acid. dominance status of the sender. Alok Semwal et al./ Journal of Acute Disease (2013)253-261 255 [14] 9-keto-2-decenoic acid protected