Effect of Herbal Medicine on Fertility Potential in Experimental Animals - an Update Review

Abstract

Introduction: Sexual function greatly affects the quality of life. Any problem which affects satisfaction is considered sexual dysfunction. Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate how recently used of complementary and alternative medicines has increased in treating infertility. Methods: Study has descriptive character based on searched and analyzed facts from the published articles in scientific journals. Results: The majority of the studies done for the detection of the efficacy of medicinal plants in treating male infertility were done on experimental animals with few clinical studies. However, there is still a need for more studies to have certain results, as conflicting results were noted in different studies done on the effect of the same medicinal plant on spermatogenesis. It might be referred it to the absence of standardization among research models, the difference in extracts, administration route, doses and how long did the experiment last added to differences in the part of the plant used and plant collection. This review summarized the finding of many studies that studied the effect of different medicinal herbs on the testes, epididymis, sperm and prostate parameters, testosterone level and steroidogenesis, erection/ejaculation function and libido. Conclusion: The protective effect might be due to OLE competence to antagonize the oxidative stress and LPO. Londium suffruticosum I. suffruticosum leaf extract was administered to sub-fertile male rats, subfertility was induced by carbendazim, it resulted in increased spermatogenesis, increased sperm counts, lessened sperm agglutination by preserving normal pH in testicular microenvironment, increasing the testicular oxidative biomarkers, SOD, and CAT. It was found that the main active components of the extract are alkaloids, steroidal lactones and flavonoids.

Traditional Herbal Medicines and their Fertility Potential: A Review

“…Recently the use of complementary and alternative medicines (CAMs) has increased in treating infertility [20]. Sexual function greatly affects individual's quality of life, the normal male sexual response cycle consists of five phases: libido, erection, ejaculation, orgasm and detumescence subsequently [21]. pruriens on infertility is not well known.…”

“…Recently the use of complementary and alternative medicines (CAMs) has increased in treating infertility [20]. The finding of many studies that studied the effect of different medicinal herbs on the testes, epididymis, sperm and prostate parameters, testosterone level and steroidogenesis, erection/ejaculation function and libido [21]. Prostatectomy and radiotherapy for prostate cancer both cause damage to the neurovascular structures supplying the penis, that can lead to severe and refractory ED.…”

The Mechanisms and Management of Age-Related Oxidative Stress in Male Hypogonadism Associated with Non-communicable Chronic Disease

“…Numerous plants with antioxidant properties have been associated with increased testosterone in males, including improvements in male sexual behaviour, libido, and sexual function. The more common plants investigated include: Anacyclus pyrethrum , Arctium lappa , Cinnamomum zeylanicum , Coleus forskohlii , Corchorus depressus , Cynanchum wilfordii , Cyperus esculentus , Eurycoma longifolia , Garcinia cambogia , Lepidium meyenii , Moringa oleifera , Mucuna pruriens , Nigella sativa , Panax ginseng , Pedalium murex , Rhodiola rosea and Tribulus terrestris , Trigonella foenum-graecum Urtica doica , and Withania somnifera [ 197 , 198 , 199 , 200 ]. Trigonella foenum-graecum and Withania somnifera showed promising positive effects in clinical studies, whereas Lepidium meyenii , Rhodiola rosea , Tribulus terrestris , and Panax ginseng appeared to have less clinical evidence for increasing male testosterone, but may improve erectile dysfunction [ 199 , 200 ].…”

Protective Effect of Curculigo orchioides Gaertn. Extract on Heat Stress-Induced Spermatogenesis Complications in Murine Model

“…Recently, use of traditional medicines from medicinal plants has increased in treating male infertility. Many studies show evidence of the effect of medicinal herbs on the testicular tissue, epididymis, spermatogenesis, steroidogenesis, testosterone production, erection function, ejaculation, and libido [ 26 , 27 ]. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Curculigo orchioides extract on testicular histopathology alteration and blood testosterone levels in heat stress-induced male mice.…”