Effectiveness and safety of herbal medicine for impotency

The aim of the study was to find out the effect of different natural herbal products on patients having impotence of unknown cause. A descriptive study. This study was conducted from January,2002 to December, 2003 in SOPD of Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, Karachi. This was hospital base study conducted in 50 patients of age ranging from 25-60 years attending Surgical Out Patients Department [SOPD] of Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, Karachi. The catchments area of hospital is mostly the district central Karachi with poor socio-economic status of the patients. The subjects included in the study were married active and healthy men. All individuals were proper clinical history along with examinations was recorded on proforma. Some specific investigations were done to rule out any cause of impotence and side effects were also recorded. Data collected was analyzed by statistical tests. The results were analyzed which showed that out of 50 patients 39 [78.0%] got benefit from the product, 08 [16%] had improvement in their symptoms while 03 [06%] had no improvement at all. These products Anacardium occidental, Asparagus descends, Cureuligo orchiodes, Orchis mascula and Macuna pruriens are natural herbal products gather in capsule known as Successor, which can be safely given to the patients having impotence of unknown cause. It has also been observed that there was some increased in sperm count on semen analysis seen in oligospermia cases. It can results in increase the motility and sperm count

Phenytoin and the reproductive system

In order to evaluate the effects of phenytoin on the reproductive system of rats in detail, 60 male rats were divided equally into 6 groups: 1-5 received 10 mg/kg/day phenytoin IP for 1,2,3,4 and 5 weeks, respectively. However, group 5 did not receive any phenytoin for the last 5th week. The control group [group 6] did not receive any treatment. The results revealed that phenytoin does not have any effect on body weight, weight of testes, seminal vesicle and prostate, serum testosterone and sperm count taken from left and right vas deferenses. However, the percentage of total motile sperm and sperm with full and sluggish motility decreased and the percentage of low motile sperm increased in all experimental groups. Nevertheless, phenytoin caused atrophy and hypoplasia in seminiferous tubules and not Leydig cells. These pathological changes were dose-dependent and more pronounced in the left testis. But phenytoin caused more changes in sperm count and motility of the right testis. This phenomenon was discussed in relation to the existence of asymmetrical control by the hypothalamus, and compensation of the left testis. In summary, it could be concluded that phenytoin affected the seminiferous tubules directly and decreased the total number of motile sperm. It was also discussed that these effects are not reversible after termination of injection

Effect of medroxy progesterone acetate and testosterone enanthate on vas deferens of rats.

Effects of medroxy progesterone acetate (MPA; 5 mg/kg) and MPA + testosterone enanthate (TE) (3 mg + 2 mg/kg) were investigated in vas deferens and on fertility (along with reversibility study) for 60 days through histopathology, morphometric and certain biochemical parameters such as total proteins, sialic acid, ATPase, SDH and testosterone. The study revealed for altered histopathology and contratile pattern of vas deferens resulting in reduced fertility. The study also indicated androgen antagonistic effect. These effects were found to be reversible 4 and 3 months after withdrawal of MPA and MPA + TE injections respectively. Thus, both types generated functional sterility in the rat, but MPA affected histophysiology of vasal tissue.

Antispermatogenic and androgenic activities of various extracts of Hibiscus rosa sinesis in albino mice.

The benzene chloroform and alcoholic extracts of the flowers of H.r.sinensis were administered (i.p.) at two different dose levels of 125 and 250 mg/kg body weight to adult male albino mice for 20 days. The results have shown decrease in the spermatogenic elements of testis and epididymal sperm count. High content of testicular cholesterol may be due to lowered androgen synthesis. The increase in the weight of accessory reproductive organs indicates the androgenicity of the plant extract itself, which is proved in the present study by testing the benzene extract in immature mice.

Effect of Y virilin on male infertility.

A prospective placebo controlled double blind study was conducted in patients attending male infertility clinics of our hospital to evaluate effects of a herbal formulation for male infertility--'Y-virilin'. In phase 1 forty patients with oligospermia with or without asthenospermia were randomly allocated to 2 treatment groups--Treatment Group A i.e. formulation under test and treatment Group B (Placebo). Therapy with these agents was given twice a day for 6 months. In phase 2, 12 patients with azospermia were administered either 'Y virilin' or the placebo (n = 6/Gp). In all patients along with semen analysis (sperm count, percentage of motile sperms and grade of motility) was done monthly for 6 months. Serum FSH levels were estimated before and at the end of therapy. A significant increase in sperm count was observed from 2-3 months in oligospermics receiving Y virilin as compared to basal values (p < 0.05). In Group B the follow-up sperm counts were either comparable to basal values or were lesser. However, the percentage and grade of motility did not differ in two groups at the end of respective treatment. No change was found in mean FSH value. During the therapy period incidence of conception was 20% in treatment Group A and 5% in Group B. Of the azospermic receiving 'Y-virilin' 50% showed a count of 10-20 millions/cmm while none from the placebo group. This study highlights the therapeutic potential of the tested formulation in the patients with infertility.

Inhibitory effects of formaldehyde on the reproductive system of male rats.

Formaldehyde, when administered to rats at a dose of 10 mg/kg body weight/day for a period of 30 days, resulted in a significant fall in sperm motility, viability and count. In addition, the DNA content was significantly lower in testis and prostate while the tissue protein content of prostate and epididymis had decreased in the treated rats. In vitro exposure to formaldehyde also inhibited the sperm motility and viability.

Biochemical and morphological changes of spermatozoa in progestin-androgen injected rats.

Bimonthly injections (im) of medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA, 5 mg/0.2 ml) and testosterone enanthate (TE, 2.5 mg/0.2 ml) to rats for 30 and 60 days induced oligospermia. The sperms from epididymis had defective metabolism, alterations in their morphology, viability and acrosome integrity. Thus this altered sperm function resulted in reduction in the fertility rate of MPA+TE treated animals.

Effect of styrene on testicular enzymes of growing rat.

Effect of styrene (100 or 200 mg/kg body wt/day) for 60 days was observed on testicular enzymes of postnatally maturing rats. A significant decrease in epididymal spermatozoa count was observed only at 200 mg/kg body weight dose. Activities of testicular sorbitol dehydrogenase and acid phosphatase decreased while activities of lactate dehydrogenase, beta-glucuronidase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase significantly increased only in animals exposed to styrene at a dose of 200 mg/kg body weight. The results suggest that exposure to high dose of styrene during developmental period alters the activities of enzymes associated with specific cell type of testis.

Effects of cadmium salt on phosphomonoesterases activity and fertilizing ability of fowl spermatozoa.

Daily administration of cadmium salt for 25 days (2.5 mg per Kg body weight) in the male domestic fowl caused the end of treatment period. An increased incidences of concentration. Fertility dropped to zero at the end of the treatment period. Activity of acid and alkaline phosphomonoesterases were also drastically reduced by the end of treatment period. An increased incidences of morphological abnormalities of spermatozoa were noticed in the treated birds. After 46 days cessation of the treatment, full recovery of the above measures was found. These alterations suggest the reversible type of effect of cadmium chloride on the spermatozoa of male domestic fowl.

Effect of steroidal fraction of seeds of Abrus precatorius Linn. on rat testis.

Dose-dependent degenerative changes in the testicular weights, sperm count, later stages of spermatogenesis and Leydig cells are observed in testis of rats treated with steroidal fraction of seeds of A. precatorius. These are correlated with the dose-dependent decrease in the enzyme activity of 3 alpha, 3 beta, 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, sorbitol dehydrogenase and leucine aminopeptidase. The steroidal fraction may also exert its influence indirectly at the pituitary level by a feedback mechanism, leading to decrease in production and release of testosterone which results in significant alterations in the testis.

Effect of zinc administration on seminal zinc and fertility of oligospermic males.

Fourteen infertile males (age 24-45 years; married over 2 years) with idiopathic oligospermia (sperm count less than 40 millions/ml) were investigated for the effect of oral zinc sulphate (220 mg) for 4 months on their serum and seminal zinc levels, and seminal parameters. With zinc administration serum zinc levels remained essentially unaffected, however, seminal zinc levels increased significantly. There was significant improvement in sperm count, number of progressively motile and normal spermatozoa, and acid phosphates activity. Wives of 3 patients conceived. Observations suggest that zinc has potential to be used in male infertility. However, further studies are warranted.

Açäo da pentoxifilina sobre o número e motilidade dos espermatózoides, em pacientes com oligoastenozoospermia normogonadotrópica idiopática / Effect of pentoxifylline on sperm number and motility, in patients with idiopathic normogonadotropic oligoasthinozoospermia

Vinte e seis pacientes com oligoastenozoospermia normogonadotrópica idiopática foram tratados com 1.200mg/dia de pentoxifilina, sendo que 17 completaram seis meses de tratamento e os demais interromperam aos três meses. Espermogramas realizados antes do tratamento e após três meses do início do mesmo comprovaram aumento do número de espermatozóides, significativamente mais acentuado nos pacientes com contagens mais elevadas antes do tratamento. Näo ocorreram variaçöes significativas da motilidade. Os resultados justificam estudos mais amplos