South African plants and male reproductive healthcare: Conception and contraception

Ethnopharmacological relevanceTraditional remedies from plants have been use to treat male reproductive related disorders for ages in South Africa.AimThis study reviewed the current status of medicinal plants used in male reproductive healthcare as well as their effectiveness as a mode of treatment.MethodologyA detailed literature search was done by consulting books, peer-reviewed papers, scientific databases such as Scopus, Science direct and PubMed, and Google scholars. Keywords such as aphrodisiacs, conception, erectile dysfunction, fertility, infertility and sterility in relation to medicinal plants were used during the search. Plant species were selected based on their traditional use in different aspects of male reproductive healthcare.ResultsA total of 61 plants species were found to be used in treating male impotency or as aphrodisiacs. However, only six species have been evaluated scientifically and these plants showed significant activities either in promoting conception by improving fertility and promoting erection or in contraception by decreasing sperm motility, virility and membrane integrity.ConclusionThe importance of herbal products in the treatment of male infertility and related sexual disorders is undeniable. Scientific evaluations of the six species have proved the empirical use of these plants in the improvement of male sexual disorders as well as validating their traditional uses.

Graphical abstractThe importance of herbal products in the treatment of male infertility and related sexual disorders is undeniable. Sixty one plant species were found to be used to treat male sexual disorders. Scientific evaluations of some of these species have proved the empirical use of these plants in the improvement of male sexual disorders as well as validating their traditional uses.Download high-res image (148KB)Download full-size image