An ethanolic extract of powdered B. laciniosa was fed at varying doses to male albino Wistar rats in the treatment groups by feeding needle for 28 days, during which time their sexual behaviour was monitored, and after which their reproductive glands were weighed and analysed.

Mount frequency – total number of mounts during the period of observation. Intromission latency – the time between introduction of the female to the occurrence of the first intromission (penetration).

Post-ejaculatory latency – the lag time between first intromission to the next within 30 mins. Mount latency – the time between introduction of the female to the occurrence of the first mount.

All the markers of sexual performance were improved in treated animals compared to the control group.

The treated rats showed a dose-dependent increase in mount frequency, and a reduction in mount latency, intromission latency, and post-ejaculatory latency. In other words, they “got down to it” with the receptive female sooner, and more often, than the control rats.

The B. laciniosa extract-treated animals demonstrated an increased body weight and increased weight of the sexual organs including the testis, prostate, seminal vesicles, and epididymis.

There was a statistically significant increase in fructose content and sperm count in the highest-dose treated group (fructose is a major source of energy for sperm).

A significant increase was observed in the serum LH and testosterone of the rats treated at higher doses, the testosterone levels in particular appearing to increase by approximately a factor of ten among the highest dose group.

Also known as pyrimidinecarboxylic acid, orotic acid is an intermediate in pyrimidine synthesis, which is required for DNA and RNA synthesis. It is naturally occurring in the diet; particularly in cow, goat, and sheep’s milk. Orotic acid is ultimately converted to betaalanine, which can subsequently be incorporated in anserine and carnosine.

Orotic acid enhances pyrimidine pools.

The body stores pools of pyrimidines and purines (such as ATP, GTP, CTP and UTP) and for use as energy sources, in cell signalling, and to participate in enzymatic reactions, and these pools can be taxed by intense and/or repeated exercise. [1]
Supplemental orotic acid may serve to replenish depleted pyrimidine pools.

Orotic acid may be nootropic

As a precursor of uridine monophosphate, orotic acid represents a source of bioavailable uridine. Although uridine is present in the diet, it is mainly in the form of RNA and not bioavailable. Several studies show nootropic effects of uridine, often in combination with choline and/or DHA

Orotic acid increases glycogen synthesis in muscle.

Orotic acid is also precursor of uridine triphosphate (UTP). UTP is converted by the enzyme UDP–glucose pyrophosphorylase to uridine diphosphate glucose (UDPG). Glycogen synthase then combines the glucose residues from UDPG into long chains of glycogen; the remaining UDP molecules can then be recycled back into the process. Skeletal muscle uses glycogen as a fuel source during strenuous and prolonged exercise. Experiments from the 1970s demonstrated that additional uridine increased the rate of glycogen synthesis (and thus that glycogen synthase was not the only rate-limiting step in the process). [2]

Orotic acid converts to beta-alanine, and may thus increase carnosine stores

Beta alanine is a product of the catabolism of uracil, a metabolite of uridine, of which orotic acid is a precursor. This process isn’t instant, but begins within minutes of absorption. [3] Orotic acid administration may therefore be viable alternative to beta-alanine, to avoid the paresthesia (‘pins-and-needles’) side effect associated with large doses (>750mg) of betaalanine. [4]

“Supplementation with mineral orotates or orotic acid may represent a practical strategy for boosting the level of carnosine and carnosine derivatives within the body.” [4]

Carnosine acts as a buffer to lactic acid, boosting muscle performance and reducing fatigue.

References:

[1] Yamamoto T, Moriwaki Y, Takahashi S, Tsutsumi Z, Yamakita J, Higashino K. Effect of muscular exercise on the concentration of uridine and purine bases in plasma–adenosine triphosphate consumption-induced pyrimidine degradation. Metab Clin Exp. 1997 Nov;46(11):1339–42.

[2] Haugaard ES, Frantz KB, Haugaard N. Effect of uridine on cellular UTP and glycogen synthesis in skeletal muscle: stimulation of UTP formation by insulin. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1977 Jun;74(6):2339–42.

[3] Aonuma S, Hama T, Tamaki N, Okumura H. Orotate as a β-Alanine Donor for Anserine and Carnosine Biosynthesis, and Effects of Actinomycin D and Azauracil on Their Pathway. The Journal of Biochemistry. 1969;66(2):123–32.

[4] McCarty MF, DiNicolantonio JJ. β-Alanine and orotate as supplements for cardiac protection. Open Heart. 2014 Jan 8;1(1):e000119.

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