ArticleBMC complementary and alternative medicine2016
Comparative evaluation of the sexual functions and NF-κB and Nrf2 pathways of some aphrodisiac herbal extracts in male rats.
Article in BMC complementary and alternative medicine, 2016. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 25 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.
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Who cites it
25 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 57 citations in OpenAlex.
- Effects of Ashwagandha on Reproductive Health: A Systematic Review of Sex-Specific Hormonal and Fertility Outcomes.Phytotherapy research : PTR · 2026Pooled it
- Effects ofBioMed research international · 2018Pooled it
- A proprietary blend of standardizedInternational journal of medical sciences · 2022Trial
- Biogeochemical Evaluation of Shilajit: Testosterone-Modulating Effects, In Vivo Toxicity and Lipid Profile Analysis.Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026Article
- Evaluation of Potential Hormonal Activities of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera).Phytotherapy research : PTR · 2026Review
- Nutraceutical Supplementation + Holstein Feed Surplus in Rams: Corporal, Metabolic, and Testicular Volumetry-Sperm Variables; The Robin Hood Effect.Veterinary sciences · 2026Article
- Effects of combined plant bioactives and probiotic supplementation on ram semen quality outside the breeding season.Open veterinary journal · 2026Article
- Article
- Circular Economy, Dairy Cow Feed Leftovers, andBiology · 2024Article
- Poweromin X Ten, a polyherbal formulation improves male sexual function:F1000Research · 2024Article
- Effects ofPlants (Basel, Switzerland) · 2023Article
- Botanical drugs for treating erectile dysfunction: clinical evidence.Frontiers in pharmacology · 2023Review
- Review
- Protective effects of ThaiJournal of traditional and complementary medicine · 2022Article
- Phytomedicinal therapeutics for male infertility: critical insights and scientific updates.Journal of natural medicines · 2022Review
- Puncture vine (Tribulus Terrestris L.) in control of health and reproduction.Physiological research · 2021Review
- Phytochemical and Biological Evaluation of a Newly Designed Nutraceutical Self-Nanoemulsifying Self-Nanosuspension for Protection and Treatment of Cisplatin Induced Testicular Toxicity in Male Rats.Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) · 2021Article
- Critical review of theBulletin of the National Research Centre · 2021Review
- Effect of Herbal Medicine on Fertility Potential in Experimental Animals - an Update Review.Materia socio-medica · 2020Review
- Assessment of reproductive function in male albino rat fed dietary meal supplemented withHeliyon · 2019Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
10 authors at 3 institutions in 2 countries.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundMucuna pruriens, Tribulus terrestris and Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) are widely known as antioxidant effective herbals and have been reported to possess aphrodisiac activities in traditional usages. In this study, we determined the effects of these herbals on sexual functions, serum biochemical parameters, oxidative stress and levels of NF-κB, Nrf2, and HO-1 in reproductive tissues.
methodsThirty-five male rats were divided into five groups: the control group, sildenafil-treated group (5 mg/kg/d), Mucuna, Tribulus and Ashwagandha groups. The extract groups were treated orally either with Mucuna, Tribulus or Ashwagandha (300 mg/kg b.w.) for 8 weeks.
resultsAll of the extracts were found to be significantly effective in sexual functioning and antioxidant capacity and Tribulus showed the highest effectiveness. Serum testosterone levels significantly increased in Tribulus and Ashwagandha groups in comparison to control group. Tribulus was able to reduce the levels of NF-κB and increase the levels of Nrf2 and HO-1 to a much greater extent than Mucuna and Ashwagandha.
conclusionsThese results demonstrate for the first time that Mucuna, Tribulus and Ashwagandha supplementation improves sexual function in male rats via activating Nrf2/ HO-1 pathway while inhibiting the NF-κB levels. Moreover, Tribulus terrestris extract was found to be more bioavailable from Ashwagandha extract followed by Mucuna extract. Schematic representation of the mode of action of some aphrodisiac herbal extracts to improve sexual functions.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.