Introduction: Erectile dysfunction is the persistent or recurrent inability to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient for intercourse. Despite various treatment options, not all patients respond adequately and their usefulness is limited by adverse effects and cost. Botanical medicine and natural products have been and continue to be invaluable and untapped sources of new drugs, including potentially those to treat erectile dysfunction.
Objectives: To review the current literature on botanical medicine traditionally used as aphrodisiacs and treatment of erectile dysfunction, in particular, scientific and clinical investigations that have been performed, possible active phytoconstituents, and mechanisms of action and to identify gaps in current knowledge to better guide future research efforts.
Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted via PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, and Web of Science on English publications, using various keywords, for example, "herb", "natural product", combined with "erectile dysfunction", "aphrodisiac", and "sexual performance".
Results: 369 relevant articles studying medicinal plants used for erectile dysfunction were analyzed. A total of 718 plants from 145 families and 499 genera were reported to be used traditionally as aphrodisiacs and treatment of erectile dysfunction. Top plants used include Pausinystalia johimbe, Lepidium meyenii, and Panax ginseng. Different plant parts are used, with roots being the most common. Less than half of these plants have been evaluated scientifically, using various research methodologies. Clinical trials conducted were collated. Current scientific investigation shows mixed results about their usefulness in enhancing sexual performance. A limited number of studies have attempted to elucidate the mechanisms of action of these medicinal plants.
Conclusion: A comprehensive literature review on botanical medicine and natural products used for treatment of erectile dysfunction was successfully conducted. Although medicinal plants serve as a potential source of lead compounds for erectile dysfunction drugs, further studies are warranted to further evaluate their efficacy and safety. SinVJ-E, Anand GS, Koh H-L. Botanical Medicine and Natural Products Used for Erectile Dysfunction. Sex Med Rev 2021;9:568-592.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.sxmr.2020.10.005 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Sildenafil oral suspension formulation for erectile dysfunction: is it love at first sight?
Int J Impot Res
January 2025
Department of Urology, University of Naples, Federico II, 80013, Naples, Italy.
Introduction: Dolutegravir is now extensively used in sub-Saharan Africa as a preferred component of antiretroviral therapy (ART). There is a paucity of large studies using routinely collected data from African people living with HIV on dolutegravir-based regimens to inform HIV programmes. We reviewed data in a large programme clinic of people living with HIV on dolutegravir to determine the real-world safety and tolerability of dolutegravir and to describe drivers of treatment discontinuation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPhosphodiesterase Type 5 Inhibitors in Male Reproduction: Molecular Mechanisms and Clinical Implications for Fertility Management.
Cells
January 2025
Third Department of Urology, Attikon University Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 12462 Athens, Greece.
Phosphodiesterases, particularly the type 5 isoform (PDE5), have gained recognition as pivotal regulators of male reproductive physiology, exerting significant influence on testicular function, sperm maturation, and overall fertility potential. Over the past several decades, investigations have expanded beyond the original therapeutic intent of PDE5 inhibitors for erectile dysfunction, exploring their broader reproductive implications. This narrative review integrates current evidence from in vitro studies, animal models, and clinical research to clarify the roles of PDEs in effecting the male reproductive tract, with an emphasis on the mechanistic pathways underlying cyclic nucleotide signaling, the cellular specificity of PDE isoform expression, and the effects of PDE5 inhibitors on Leydig and Sertoli cell functions.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAnalysis of Risk Factors Associated with Organic Erectile Dysfunction in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Erectile Dysfunction.
Discov Med
January 2025
Department of Urology, The Affiliated Hefei Hospital of Anhui Medical University (The Second People's Hospital of Hefei), 230011 Hefei, Anhui, China.
Background: Diabetes mellitus is a common metabolic disorder, and diabetic erectile dysfunction (DMED) is one of its common complications. The differentiation of the types of erectile dysfunction (ED) is fundamental to treatment, yet there is a lack of simple and efficacious tools for this purpose in clinical practice. In this study, we endeavor to predict ED types using commonly available clinical data from diabetic patients, aiming to develop and assess a risk prediction model for organic erectile dysfunction in individuals with type 2 diabetes.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCorrection: Integrated Mendelian randomization and single-cell RNA-sequencing analyses identified OAS1 as a novel therapeutic target for erectile dysfunction via targeting fibroblasts.
Biol Direct
January 2025
Department of Urology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No.85 Wujin Road, Shanghai, 200080, China.
Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!