A REVIEW ON MEDICINAL PLANTS USED AGAINST MALE INFERTILITY ACROSS REGIONAL, NATIONAL, AND GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES

Abstract

Male infertility is a significant reproductive health issue that contributes greatly to the global burden of infertility. Male reproductive health is known to be affected by factors such as oxidative stress, low sperm count, hormonal imbalance, erectile dysfunction, and sexual debility, among others. The present review tries to summarize the ethnomedicinal and traditional medicinal plants used in the management of male infertility at regional, national, and international levels. Relevant literature was retrieved from scientific databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and ResearchGate using keywords such as male infertility, ethnomedicine, medicinal plants, and reproductive disorders. Ethnomedicinal surveys carried out in tribal areas of Madhya Pradesh have disclosed the traditional utilization of some plant species such as Ficus benghalensis, Mucuna pruriens, Terminalia arjuna, Tribulus terrestris, and Asparagus racemosus for spermatorrhea, sexual weakness, impotency, and infertility-related disorders. Indian traditional systems of health care at the national level have documented many medicinal plants for improving semen quality, fertility, sexual vigor, and reproductive performance. International ethnomedicinal studies also reported the use of various medicinal plants for erectile dysfunction, low sperm count, premature ejaculation, and reproductive weakness. Most of these medicinal plants have antioxidant, aphrodisiac, androgenic, adaptogenic, and spermatogenic properties, which indicate their possible therapeutic importance in the management of male infertility.