ASHWAGANDHA (WITHANIA SOMNIFERA): BOOST TESTOSTERONE AND INCREASE FERTILITY IN MEN (original) (raw)
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Role of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) in the management of male infertility
Reproductive Biomedicine Online, 2017
He has a PhD in male reproductive physiology from the University of Calcutta, India and over 24 peer reviewed publications in PubMed. He is a collaborating scientist with the American Center for Reproductive Medicine at Cleveland Clinic. KEY MESSAGE Withania sominifera roots improve semen quality by increasing sperm count and motility, regulating reproductive hormone levels and inhibiting lipid peroxidation. Proposed mechanisms underlying these effects are direct alleviation of oxidative stress and enhancement of hormonal balance via the gamma-aminobutyric acid-like mimetic pathway. Withania sominifera could potentially supplement routine treatment of male infertility. A B S T R A C T To manage male infertility caused by hormonal imbalance, infections and other predicaments, multifarious treatment strategies are emerging worldwide. Contemporary treatments, such as assisted reproductive techniques, are costly with low success rates of only 10–30%; however, herbal remedies are gaining more attention as an alternative or supplementary therapeutic modality for male infertility. The beneficial effects induced by oral intake of the roots of a small evergreen shrub, Withania sominifera (Ashwagandha) on semen quality of infertile men have previously been studied. Oral intake of Ashwagandha roots has been found to inhibit lipid peroxidation, improve sperm count and motility, and regulate reproductive hormone levels. The molecular mechanisms of these effects, however, are yet to be unveiled.
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) has been described in traditional Indian Ayurvedic medicine as an aphrodisiac that can be used to treat male sexual dysfunction and infertility. This pilot study was conducted to evaluate the spermatogenic activity of Ashwagandha root extract in oligospermic patients. Forty-six male patients with oligospermia (sperm count < 20 million/mL semen) were enrolled and randomized either to treatment ( = 21) with a full-spectrum root extract of Ashwagandha (675 mg/d in three doses for 90 days) or to placebo ( = 25) in the same protocol. Semen parameters and serum hormone levels were estimated at the end of 90-day treatment. There was a 167% increase in sperm count (9.59 ± 4.37 × 10 6 /mL to 25.61 ± 8.6 × 10 6 /mL; < 0.0001), 53% increase in semen volume (1.74 ± 0.58 mL to 2.76 ± 0.60 mL; < 0.0001), and 57% increase in sperm motility (18.62 ± 6.11% to 29.19 ± 6.31%; < 0.0001) on day 90 from baseline. The improvement in these parameters was minimal in the placebo-treated group. Furthermore, a significantly greater improvement and regulation were observed in serum hormone levels with the Ashwagandha treatment as compared to the placebo. The present study adds to the evidence on the therapeutic value of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), as attributed in Ayurveda for the treatment of oligospermia leading to infertility.
Effect of Withania somnifera in the treatment of male infertility: A literature review
Journal of Medicinal Plants Research
The high prevalence of male infertility associated with the high costs of its conventional treatment motivated researchers to look for alternative approaches to the treatment of sexual dysfunction. The use of medicinal plants for these fins has been adopted in Withania somnifera which is one of the plants that has been associated with improvements in male fertility. Thus, the aim of this study was to review data available in the literature on the effect of W. somnifera in the treatment of male infertility. The Pubmed, Lilacs and Medline databases from 2009 to 2019 were searched and 9 articles selected, including intervention articles, systematic review and meta-analysis. Also known as Aswagandha or "Indian Ginseng", the part of W. somnifera most used in treating infertility is the root, mainly in the form of extract. It acts through two mechanisms: "oxidative" and "non-oxidative", both associated with improved sperm count, motility and morphology. However, further studies should be conducted investigating isolated phytochemicals to verify their true functionality.
Annals of Biological Research, 2012
In recent years, population is facing many health problems like chronic non-communicable diseases like Cancer, Stroke, Diabetes, Cardiovascular disorders and Reproductive disorders fro very early age. Urbanization and mechanization have changed the life style of the whole population which has resulted in greater exposure to pollution, high consumption of salt and fat containing food, low physical activity and stress. Withania may be having antioxidant property; protecting male reproductive organs from ROS and can avoid infertility. The overall findings may be helpful to the population not only to treat infertility but also to maintain normal sexual life.
Aphrodisiac and Spermatogenic Potential of Ayurveda Formulation-Ashwagandhadi Lehya
Journal of Biologically Active Products from Nature, 2020
Ashwagandhadi Lehya is a multi-component herbal formulation, an official in the Ayurvedic Formulary of India. It is indicated as aphrodisiac and spermatogenic, containing Withania somnifera as one of major constituents. The objectives of the present studies were evaluation of aphrodisiac and spermatogenic potential and evolving probable mechanism. The spermatogenic potential was evaluated in vivo by estimating serum testosterone and serum cholesterol content, histological assessment of seminiferous tubules, and performing spermatozoa count from cauda fluid. Testosterone content secreted by isolated Leydig cells was evaluated in vitro. The effect of AL on the expression of mRNA, corresponding to 3-β-Hydroxyl Steroid Dehydrogenase and Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory Protein, using TM3 cell line was studied. The aphrodisiac potential was evaluated by performing sexual behavior studies in rats. The serum concentration of cholesterol and testosterone was increased by 2.29 and 0.9 fold, respectively in treated animals. Sperm concentration was increased by 57.9 fold in treated animals compared to control. The amount of testosterone was increased by 20.6 fold in Leydig cells. TM3 cells cultured with Ashwagandhadi Lehya, Withania somnifera, as well as Withaferin-A, showed enhanced expression of selected mRNA. Studies suggested that Ashwagandhadi Lehya could act on Leydig cells, stimulating steroidogenesis, and up-regulated testosterone synthesis. Elevated testosterone levels might influence spermatogenesis in vivo. The elevated serum concentration of testosterone might be attributed to the aphrodisiac potential of the Ashwagandhadi Lehya.
Effects of Withania somnifera on Reproductive System: A Systematic Review of the Available Evidence
BioMed Research International
Introduction. Withania somnifera (WS) also known as ashwagandha is a well-known medicinal plant used in traditional medicine in many countries for infertility treatment. The present study was aimed at systemically reviewing therapeutic effects of WS on the reproductive system. Methods. This systematic review study was designed in 2016. Required data were obtained from PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library, Science Direct, Web of Knowledge, Web of Science, and manual search of articles, grey literature, reference checking, and expert contact. Results. WS was found to improve reproductive system function by many ways. WS extract decreased infertility among male subjects, due to the enhancement in semen quality which is proposed due to the enhanced enzymatic activity in seminal plasma and decreasing oxidative stress. Also, WS extract improved luteinizing hormone and follicular stimulating hormone balance leading to folliculogenesis and increased gonadal weight, although some...
BioMed Research International, 2015
Background.Many women experience sexual dysfunction where there are orgasm disorders and sexual difficulties. Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is a herb known to improve the body’s physical and psychological condition.Objective.The purpose of the study was to determine the efficacy and safety of a high-concentration ashwagandha root extract (HCARE) supplementation for improving sexual function in healthy females.Methods.In this pilot study, 50 study subjects were randomized to either (i) HCARE-treated group or (ii) placebo- (starch-) treated group. The subjects consumed either HCARE or placebo capsules of 300mg twice daily for 8 weeks. Sexual function was assessed using two psychometric scales, the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) Questionnaire and the Female Sexual Distress Scale (FSDS), and by the number of total and successful sexual encounters.Results.The analysis indicates that treatment with HCARE leads to significantly higher improvement, relative to placebo, in the FSFI T...
Withania somnifera Improves Semen Quality in Stress-Related Male Fertility
2009
Stress has been reported to be a causative factor for male infertility. Withania somnifera has been documented in Ayurveda and Unani medicine system for its stress-combating properties. However, limited scientific literature is available on this aspect of W. somnifera. We undertook the present study to understand the role of stress in male infertility, and to test the ability of W. somnifera to combat stress and treat male infertility. We selected normozoospermic but infertile individuals (N = 60), further categorized in three groups: normozoospermic heavy smokers (N = 20), normozoospermics under psychological stress (N = 20) and normozoospermics with infertility of unknown etiology (N = 20). Normozoospermic fertile men (N = 60) were recruited as controls. The subjects were given root powder of W. somnifera at a rate of 5 g/day for 3 months. Measuring various biochemical and stress parameters before and after treatment, suggested a definite role of stress in male infertility and the ability of W. somnifera to treat stress-related infertility. Treatment resulted in a decrease in stress, improved the level of anti-oxidants and improved overall semen quality in a significant number of individuals. The treatment resulted in pregnancy in the partners of 14% of the patients.
Fertility and Sterility, 2010
Objective: To investigate the impact of Withania somnifera roots on semen profile, oxidative biomarkers, and reproductive hormone levels of infertile men. Design: Prospective study. Setting: Patient(s): Seventy-five normal healthy fertile men (control subjects) and 75 men undergoing infertility screening. Intervention(s): High-performance liquid chromatography assay procedure for quantization of vitamin A and E in seminal plasma. Biochemical parameters in seminal plasma were estimated by standard spectrophotometric procedures. Estimation of T, LH, FSH, and PRL in blood serum by RIA methods. Main Outcome Measures(s): Before and after the treatment, seminal plasma biochemical parameters, antioxidant vitamins, and serum T, LH, FSH, and PRL levels were measured. Result(s): Withania somnifera inhibited lipid peroxidation and protein carbonyl content and improved sperm count and motility. Treatment of infertile men recovered the seminal plasma levels of antioxidant enzymes and vitamins A, C, and E and corrected fructose. Moreover, treatment also significantly increased serum T and LH and reduced the levels of FSH and PRL. Conclusion(s): The treatment with W. somnifera effectively reduced oxidative stress, as assessed by decreased levels of various oxidants and improved level of diverse antioxidants. Moreover, the levels of T, LH, FSH and PRL, good indicators of semen quality, were also reversed in infertile subjects after treatment with the herbal preparation. (Fertil Steril Ò 2009;-:---.