[Frontiers in Bioscience E2, 1001-1014, June 1, 2010]

Nature versus nurture - plant resources in management of male infertility

Madhukar Shivajirao Dama, Singh P Akhand, Singh Rajender

From Endocrinology Division, Central Drug Research Institute, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, Lucknow, India - 226001

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Abstract
2. Introduction
3. Medicinal plants
3.1. Asparagus recemosus
3.2. Asteracantha longifolia
3.3. Chlorophytum borivilianum
3.4. Clerodendrum serratum
3.5. Dioscorea bulbifera
3.6. Morinda Citrifolia
3.7. Moringa oleifera
3.8. Mucuna pruriens
3.9. Plumbago zeylanica
3.10. Semecarpus anacardium
3.11. Solanum surratense & Solanum Xanthocarpum
3.12. Tribulus terrestris
3.13. Trichopus zeylanicus
3.14. Withania somnifera
3.15. Herbal Formulations
4. Discussion
5. Conclusion
6. Acknowledgements
7. References

1. ABSTRACT

Male infertility, apart from being a multi-factorial disorder, has no defined etiology in almost half of the infertile men. The complex etiology demands a complex remedy which can heal several ailments together. Currently available specific treatments are largely inefficient in infertility treatment. Medicinal plants present a repertoire capable of providing varied constituents which could be helpful in infertility management. However, the literature on the same is scanty and we have not explored even 1% of the available plant resources. Herein, we present a systematic review of clinical and experimental data on the use of Indian medicinal herbs in the treatment of male infertility. Literature suggests that most of the medicinal herbs exhibit a three dimensional effect of reducing oxidative/psychological stress, fatigue and promoting libido. This review is oriented to identify and highlight aphrodisiac, adaptogenic, anti-oxidant and nutritional properties of these plants and aims at promoting exploration of these valuable medicinal resources.