Mahalaxmi Clinic, Nanaddham, Sulochana Shetty Marg, Sion (E), Mumbai, Maharashtra 400022, India.
Department of Pharmacology, B.V.D.U. Dental College & Hospital, Sector-7, C.B.D., Belpada, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra 400614, India.
Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2013;2013:571420. doi: 10.1155/2013/571420. Epub 2013 Nov 28.
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 (n = 21) with a full-spectrum root extract of Ashwagandha (675 mg/d in three doses for 90 days) or to placebo (n = 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; P < 0.0001), 53% increase in semen volume (1.74 ± 0.58 mL to 2.76 ± 0.60 mL; P < 0.0001), and 57% increase in sperm motility (18.62 ± 6.11% to 29.19 ± 6.31%; P < 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.
在传统的印度阿育吠陀医学中，印度人参（Withania somnifera）被描述为一种壮阳药，可用于治疗男性性功能障碍和不育症。这项初步研究旨在评估印度人参根提取物对少精子症患者的生精活性。招募了 46 名少精子症（精子计数<2000 万/mL 精液）男性患者，并按照随机、双盲、安慰剂对照的方法分为治疗组（n = 21）和安慰剂组（n = 25）。治疗组给予全谱印度人参根提取物（675mg/d，分 3 次服用，持续 90 天），安慰剂组给予相同方案的安慰剂。在 90 天治疗结束时评估精液参数和血清激素水平。与基线相比，精子计数增加了 167%（9.59 ± 4.37×10(6)/mL 至 25.61 ± 8.6×10(6)/mL；P < 0.0001），精液量增加了 53%（1.74 ± 0.58 mL 至 2.76 ± 0.60 mL；P < 0.0001），精子活力增加了 57%（18.62 ± 6.11%至 29.19 ± 6.31%；P < 0.0001）。在安慰剂治疗组中，这些参数的改善较小。此外，与安慰剂相比，印度人参治疗组的血清激素水平有显著更大的改善和调节。本研究为阿育吠陀医学中印度人参治疗少精子症导致不育的治疗价值提供了更多证据。
