ABSTRACT Erectile dysfunction (ED), a prevalent male reproductive disorder, is closely associated with oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction, and impaired nitric oxide signaling, particularly under diabetic conditions. Emerging evidence suggests that functional foods may serve as adjunct, nonpharmacological strategies for ED management. This study developed and evaluated a nutritionally enriched Donkwa–Goron‐Tula snack for its effects on sexual behavior and biochemical markers of erectile function in high‐fat diet/streptozotocin (HFD/STZ)‐induced diabetic male rats. Forty‐two adult male Wistar rats were divided into seven groups: normal control, HFD/STZ control, HFD/STZ + metformin, and HFD/STZ treated with varying formulations of Donkwa–Goron‐Tula (D100, D90G10, D85G15, and D80G20). Following a 21‐day experimental analysis, parameters such as sexual behavior (mount frequency, mount latency, intromission frequency, and intromission latency) were studied. Penile tissue homogenates were analyzed for nitric oxide (NO), arginase, phosphodiesterase‐5 (PDE‐5), angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE), reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), and antioxidant enzymes. HFD/STZ induction significantly impaired sexual performance; elevated PDE‐5, arginase, and ACE activities; reduced NO levels; and disrupted redox balance, as evidenced by increased ROS and MDA. Treatment with Donkwa–Goron‐Tula formulations improved sexual behavior and attenuated biochemical alterations. Notably, D80G20 significantly enhanced antioxidant defenses, increasing superoxide dismutase (3.14 ± 0.14), catalase (0.04 ± 0.03), glutathione peroxidase (0.28 ± 0.12), and reduced glutathione (1.39 ± 0.06) whereas reduced PDE‐5 (2.53 ± 0.12) and arginase (0.84 ± 0.46) activities. These findings demonstrate that Donkwa–Goron‐Tula enriched snacks mitigate diabetes‐induced erectile dysfunction by improving oxidative status, modulating key enzymatic pathways, and restoring sexual behavior. The formulation, particularly D80G20, shows promise as a functional dietary intervention for the prevention and management of ED.
Mamukuyomi et al. (Wed,) studied this question.