The effect of Trigonella foenum-graecum extract on prostate-specific antigen, and prostate function in otherwise healthy men with benign prostate hyperplasia

The multifaceted potential of fenugreek seeds: From health benefits to food and nanotechnology applications

The present lifestyle, dietary patterns, psychological pressure, environmental factors, and the widespread exploitation of processed substances in food production and farming have collectively contributed to a substantial expediting in the development of various health problems. Globally, researchers have been seeking natural pharmaceutical substances with the potential to be employed in treating lifestyle-related diseases or delaying their onset. Fenugreek seeds have gained significant attention in various fields, including health, nutrition, and cutting-edge nanotechnology applications, due to their versatile qualities. The current investigation offers a comprehensive discussion of the nutritional composition and therapeutic potential of fenugreek seeds, with an emphasis on their plentiful reservoir of bioactive compounds. This seed demonstrates promising medicinal potential in addressing a wide range of health issues. Significantly, these findings indicate noteworthy properties, such as antidiabetic, antioxidant, anti-obesity, hypocholesterolemic, anticancer, and cardioprotective effects. Moreover, the components of fenugreek seeds are important in the development of a multitude of foods, which is the reason why they are used extensively in the area of food research. In addition to their nutritional value, their exploration of nanotechnology reveals a promising domain, utilizing the distinctive characteristics of seeds for many purposes, such as nanoparticle synthesis and oil for edible films and nanoemulsions. This review article focuses on a comprehensive analysis of fenugreek seeds, examining their wide-ranging applications in the fields of health, nutrition, food, and nanotechnology.

The multifaceted potential of fenugreek seeds: From health benefits to food and nanotechnology applications

The present lifestyle, dietary patterns, psychological pressure, environmental factors, and the widespread exploitation of processed substances in food production and farming have collectively contributed to a substantial expediting in the development of various health problems. Globally, researchers have been seeking natural pharmaceutical substances with the potential to be employed in treating lifestyle‐related diseases or delaying their onset. Fenugreek seeds have gained significant attention in various fields, including health, nutrition, and cutting‐edge nanotechnology applications, due to their versatile qualities. The current investigation offers a comprehensive discussion of the nutritional composition and therapeutic potential of fenugreek seeds, with an emphasis on their plentiful reservoir of bioactive compounds. This seed demonstrates promising medicinal potential in addressing a wide range of health issues. Significantly, these findings indicate noteworthy properties, such as antidiabetic, antioxidant, anti‐obesity, hypocholesterolemic, anticancer, and cardioprotective effects. Moreover, the components of fenugreek seeds are important in the development of a multitude of foods, which is the reason why they are used extensively in the area of food research. In addition to their nutritional value, their exploration of nanotechnology reveals a promising domain, utilizing the distinctive characteristics of seeds for many purposes, such as nanoparticle synthesis and oil for edible films and nanoemulsions. This review article focuses on a comprehensive analysis of fenugreek seeds, examining their wide‐ranging applications in the fields of health, nutrition, food, and nanotechnology.

Botanicals in health and disease of the testis and male fertility: A scoping review

BACKGROUND

Male factor infertility often results from testicular disorders leading to inadequate sperm quantity and quality. Both beneficial and detrimental effects of botanical products, especially herbal medicines, on testicular functions and male fertility have been reported in the literature.

PURPOSE

This scoping review aims to map the main clinical evidence on different impacts of botanical entities on the testis and to critically appraise relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published in the recent 5 years, so as to inform the future.

METHODS

Systematic reviews, meta-analyses and RCT reports on botanical impacts on testicular functions and male fertility were retrieved and synthesized from Pubmed, Web of Science, Scopus, Embase, ProQuest, Cochrane Library and Google Scholar up to 10th May 2022. RCTs published since 2018 were critically appraised against good practice guidelines for RCT and for reporting herbal studies.

RESULTS

We identified 24 systematic reviews and meta-analyses published since 2005, by authors from Iran (25%), China (21%), USA (12.5%) and 9 other countries. All but two were published in English. Only 3 systematic review protocols were identified, all published in English from China in the recent 3 years. We identified 125 RCTs published in six languages, mainly English (55%) and Chinese (42%). They were published since 1994 from 23 countries on all the six inhabitable continents, with China (46%), Australia (8%), USA (8%), India (7%) and Iran (5%) being the leading contributors. 72% and 28% RCTs published in English were on efficacy (botanicals vs placebo) and comparative effectiveness (a botanical vs other treatments), respectively. In contrast, 98% RCT reports in Chinese were on comparative effectiveness, with merely 2% on efficacy. Among all the 125 RCTs, 57% were studies in patients with semen abnormality and/or male infertility, 22% investigated herbal effects in healthy men, 14% were on patients with male sexual dysfunction and hypogonadism, and 7% were conducted in men with non-sexual disorders. Since 2018, 32 RCTs have been published, in English (69%) or Chinese (31%). Nineteen RCT reports from China, India, Japan and Korea all studied herbal formulae while the 13 RCT reports from Australia, Brazil, Czech and Italy, Iran, Malaysia, Spain, the UK and the USA all exclusively studied extracts of a single species. Putting geo-cultural differences aside, gossypol and extracts of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. f. were found to be detrimental to the testis and male fertility, while the extracts of Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal and traditional Chinese medicine Qilin Pill, etc., might improve testosterone levels and semen parameters, thus could be therapeutic for male sexual dysfunction and infertility. However, all still require further evaluation in view of recurring weaknesses in quality control of herbal materials, RCT design and reporting. For example, only 9%-23% of the RCTs published since 2018 provided information on voucher samples, chemical profiling, herbal authentication and herbal extraction.

CONCLUSION

Research on botanicals and the testis has been reported worldwide, demonstrating clear geo-cultural differences in studied plant species, botanical types, study objectives and quality of research design, implementation and reporting. Due to a few recurring weaknesses in the literature, this study is unable to recommend the use of any specific botanicals, however, current evidence does indicate that botanicals can be double-edged swords to the testis and male fertility. To secure better clinical evidence, future studies must faithfully implement existing and emerging good practice guidelines.

Examining the Effects of Herbs on Testosterone Concentrations in Men: A Systematic Review

Testosterone concentrations in males tend to decline with advancing age. Low testosterone, also known as androgen deficiency (AD), is associated with an increased risk of morbidity and mortality. Currently, the primary treatment for AD is testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), which may exacerbate pre-existing medical conditions. Therefore, the use of alternative options, such as herbs, spices, plants, or their extracts, has been explored as a potential treatment option for AD. The aim of this systematic review was to summarize and critically evaluate randomized controlled trials published on the efficacy of single herbal ingredients on testosterone concentrations, in addition to its fractions or binding proteins, in men (≥18 y). From the 4 databases searched, there were 13 herbs identified in 32 studies, published between 2001 and 2019. The main findings of this review indicate that 2 herbal extracts, fenugreek seed extracts and ashwagandha root and root/leaf extracts, have positive effects on testosterone concentrations in men. Also, some evidence exists for another herb and herbal extract, Asian red ginseng and forskohlii root extract. Overall, 9 out of 32 studies demonstrated statistically significant increases in testosterone concentrations. Moreover, 6 studies out of 32 were judged as having a low risk of bias. Current evidence is largely based on young, nonclinical populations, with 16 out of 32 studies using men <40 y of age. Conclusions are moderated by the paucity of research for many herbs, the variation in dosages and extracts used, small sample sizes, and the heterogeneity of study characteristics. Also, further research is required before definitive conclusions on efficacy and safety can be made. This systematic review was registered at PROSPERO as CRD42020173623.