Role of Antioxidant Natural Products in Management of Infertility: A Review of Their Medicinal Potential

Abstract

Infertility, a couple’s inability to conceive after one year of unprotected regular intercourse, is an important issue in the world. The use of natural products in the treatment of infertility has been considered as a possible alternative to conventional therapies. The present study aimed to investigate the effects and the mechanisms of various natural products on infertility. We collected articles regarding infertility and natural products using the research databases PubMed and Google Scholar. Several natural products possess antioxidant properties and androgenic activities on productive factors and hormones. Antioxidants are the first defense barrier against free radicals produced by oxidative stress (OS). They remove reactive oxygen stress (ROS), reducing insulin resistance, total cholesterol, fat accumulation, and cancer growth. Moreover, various natural products increase endometrial receptivity and fertility ability showing androgenic activities on productive factors and hormones. For example, Angelica keiskei powder and Astragalus mongholicus extract showed anti-infertility efficacies in males and females, respectively. On the other hand, adverse effects and acute toxicity of natural products were also reported. Tripterygium glycoside decreased fertility ability both in males and females. Results indicate that management of infertility with natural products could be beneficial with further clinical trials to evaluate the safety and effect.

Effect of Hesperetin Treatment on Blood Glucose Level, Spermatozoa Quality, and Spermatozoa Quantity in Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Mice

“…Alloxan induction causes damage to the cells of the pancreas, interferes with insulin production, causes hyperglycemia, and increases reactive oxygen species. Reactive oxygen species damage the mitochondrial membrane, potentially causing a loss of function which can induce sperm cell apoptosis (Loeken, 2012;Noh et al, 2020).…”

The Impact of Oxidative Stress in Human Pathology: Focus on Gastrointestinal Disorders

“…Literature data confirm the key role of oxidative stress in etiology of numerous and different diseases ( Figure 1 ), including metabolic syndrome [ 6 ], atherosclerosis [ 7 ], cardiovascular disease [ 8 , 9 ], cancer [ 10 , 11 ], neurodegenerative disorders [ 12 , 13 ] diabetes [ 14 ], infertility [ 15 ], renal diseases [ 16 ], and gastrointestinal and hepatic diseases [ 17 ].…”

Essential Role of CRIM1 on Endometrial Receptivity in Goat

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