Mucuna pruriensReduces Stress and Improves the Quality of Semen in Infertile Men

Abstract

The present investigation was undertaken to assess the role of Mucuna pruriens in infertile men who were under psychological stress. Study included 60 subjects who were undergoing infertility screening and were found to be suffering from psychological stress, assessed on the basis of a questionnaire and elevated serum cortisol levels. Age-matched 60 healthy men having normal semen parameters and who had previously initiated at least one pregnancy were included as controls. Infertile subjects were administered with M. pruriens seed powder (5 g day−1) orally. For carrying out morphological and biochemical analysis, semen samples were collected twice, first before starting treatment and second after 3 months of treatment. The results demonstrated decreased sperm count and motility in subjects who were under psychological stress. Moreover, serum cortisol and seminal plasma lipid peroxide levels were also found elevated along with decreased seminal plasma glutathione (GSH) and ascorbic acid contents and reduced superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase activity. Treatment with M. pruriens significantly ameliorated psychological stress and seminal plasma lipid peroxide levels along with improved sperm count and motility. Treatment also restored the levels of SOD, catalase, GSH and ascorbic acid in seminal plasma of infertile men. On the basis of results of the present study, it may be concluded that M. pruriens not only reactivates the anti-oxidant defense system of infertile men but it also helps in the management of stress and improves semen quality.

Vitamin C in Disease Prevention and Cure: An Overview

“…AA deficiency may lead to an increase in oxidative damage induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS) and increased ROS was observed in the semen of 25-45 % of infertile men [66]. This is further corroborated by association of decreased AA with increase seminal plasma lipid peroxidation as observed in human trial [67]. Others have also observed oxidative stress induced deleterious effect on male fertility [68,69].…”

Amazing bean Mucuna pruriens: A comprehensive review

“…According to Fung and Tan (2012), rats pretreated with M. pruriens seed extract showed protective effect against the lethal and cardiovascular depressant effects of Naja sputatrix venoms by neutralization of the venom toxins. Shukla and Mahdi (2010) demonstrated that oral administration of 5 g of Mucuna seed powder once in a day for men with decreased sperm count and motility ameliorated psychological stress and seminal plasma liquid peroxide levels along with improved sperm count and motility. The study also concluded that M. pruriens not only reactivates the anti oxidant defense mechanism, but also helps in the management of stress and improves semen quality.…”

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“…It has been reported to possess medicinal values and some works indicated the potential use of M. pruriens as alternative source of protein in fish feed (Ignacimuthu et al, 2008, Pugalenthi et al, 2005, Sridhar et al, 2007. The plant has been found to increase libido in men due to its dopaminergic properties (Giuliano et al, 2001, Shukla et al, 2010 intromission and ejaculation, and decreased latencies in normal male rats (Suresh et al, 2009, Suresh et al, 2010. However, no studies have been reported related to its in vivo effect on sex reversal, growth and immunostimulation of fish.…”