The proprietary blend, LN18178, branded as Tesnor, was utilized in an 84-day randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, with researchers in India investigating its impact on sexual function.
The results suggest that LN18178 supplementation could significantly improve sexual desire and erectile function in older men with low sexual drive and mild to moderate erection difficulties.
Natural boosts for male sexual health
Aging reduces endocrine function in men, which can lead to a decline in physiological, biochemical, and psychological processes, including sexual health. Reduced sexual desire and performance have been found to negatively impact men’sand their partner’s quality of life and social well-being.
Testosterone, a key androgen, supports male sexual characteristics, reproductive health, bone and muscle mass, metabolic balance, and psychological well-being, however levels in men drop by approximately 0.4%-2% every year after age 30.
The researchers explained that testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) may help manage hypogonadism - a condition in which the body’s sex glands don’t produce enough sex hormones - in men, but it can also increase risks of serious side effects such as high blood pressure, liver toxicity, and increased risks of heart attack and stroke.
As a result, public interest in natural, plant-based diets and therapies to enhance male sexual function, hormone levels, erectile function, and libido has steadily grown, they noted.
Traditional Indian medicine has long used medicinal herbs to treat sexual disorders and enhance men’s sexual health. Pomegranate, rich in antioxidants like ellagic acid and flavonoids, has been found to enhance sperm quality and improves erectile function. And cocoa seeds which are high in antioxidant flavonoids such as catechins and epicatechins can promote nitric oxide production, support vascular health and enhance mood and cognitive function.
Previous in vitro research has found that LN18178 shows promise in boosting steroidogenesis, the processes by which cholesterol is converted to steroid hormones such as testosterone, and lowering aromatase activity, which can help preserve testosterone levels and prevent estrogen from rising too high.
Clinical trials have also found that LN18178 improved testosterone levels, muscle mass, strength, and aging male symptoms related to psychological, physical, and sexual health in men aged 21-55.
Supplement boosts erectile function and improves wellbeing
The researchers recruited 120 male volunteers between 40–70 years, with mild to moderate erectile dysfunction and low sexual desire. The study randomly assigned them to either the LN18178 group or the placebo group, and they consumed either 400 mg of LN18178 or a matched placebo capsule daily with breakfast.
Results showed participants who received LN18178 reported significant improvements in sexual functioning through a self-reporting questionnaire.
Erectile function scores increased with LN18178 supplementation, as did erection hardness scores. General fatigue was measured through multi-dimensional fatigue inventory (MFI) scores, where the LN18178 group showed significant improvements compared to placebo by days 42 and 84.
General wellbeing and fitness was also improved amongst the LN18178 group. Sleep quality significantly improved in the intervention group participants, as did hand-grip strength and walking distance ability as shown through a six-minute walk test. Overall health perception scores also improved in the intervention group.
As the authors noted, LN18178 supplementation appeared to reduce physical and psychological stress.
“In adult males, sexual function and performance are well-coordinated and regulated by physiological and psychological or emotional factors,” the authors wrote.
“Although sexual function is a multi-factorial process, testosterone plays a major and central role in modulating the emotional and neuro-physiological control of sexual arousal, erection and penetration, ejaculation, satisfaction, and overall performance.”
The researchers concluded that “LN18178 supplementation is safe and it increased overall sexual function and associated behavioral functions”.
They did however note that the current study didn’t test the efficacy of LN18178 supplementation on participants’ body composition and that further research should explore this.
Source: Int J Med Sci 2025; 22(2):383-397. doi:10.7150/ijms.99958; “A Combination of Punica granatum Fruit Rind and Theobroma cacao Seed Extracts Enhances Sexual Function in Aging Males in a Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Study.” Authors: M.K. Srivastava, et al