Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine

The Korean Society for Reproductive Medicine (대한생식의학회)
권호 표지
DOI QR코드

DOI QR Code

Review of potential spermatogenic and aphrodisiac effects of the Ferula genus

  • Seyyed Majid Bagheri (Department of Physiology, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences) ;
  • Amir Shieh (Department of Physiology, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences) ;
  • Jalil Alizadeh Ghalenoei (Department of Physiology, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences) ;
  • Maryam Yadegari (Department of Anatomical Sciences, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences) ;
  • Nasrin Alborzi (Neuroendocrine Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences)
  • Received : 2023.03.14
  • Accepted : 2023.06.17
  • Published : 2023.09.30
Download PDF
⟨ Previous Next ⟩

Abstract

Objective: Men's sexual health plays an important role in male fertility and childbearing, as it is associated with factors such as sexual desire, healthy spermatogenesis, and erectile function. In various cultures, medicinal plants have been utilized to address male sexual issues, including infertility and erectile dysfunction. Despite recent advancements in medical science for treating male impotence, some men opt for herbal supplements as an alternative, given that numerous herbs have the potential to enhance male sexual performance. The Apiaceae family is one of the oldest plant families used for medicinal purposes. Ferula, a genus within this family, comprises approximately 170 different species worldwide. Members of this genus possess numerous therapeutic properties due to the presence of various compounds. This article aims to explore the potential impacts of Ferula plants on the male reproductive system. Methods: This review article was prepared by searching for terms including Ferula and "aphrodisiac," Ferula and "spermatogenesis," and Ferula and "male reproductive system." Relevant information was gathered through electronic databases, including ISI Web of Knowledge, PubMed, and Google Scholar. Results: The findings indicated that relatively comprehensive studies have been conducted in this area, revealing that certain Ferula species have been employed in folk medicine to boost fertility and libido. Recent research has corroborated these effects. Conclusion: It is hoped that new aphrodisiac compounds with fewer side effects can be isolated from Ferula plants in the future.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

We are very grateful to the staff of the Yazd Neuroendocrinology Research Center. We also very thankful from Dr. Fatemeh Zare Mehrjardi for facilitating the project.

References

  1. Monga M, Bernie J, Rajasekaran M. Male infertility and erectile dysfunction in spinal cord injury: a review. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 1999;80:1331-9. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0003-9993(99)90039-4
  2. Babakhanzadeh E, Nazari M, Ghasemifar S, Khodadadian A. Some of the factors involved in male infertility: a prospective review. Int J Gen Med 2020;13:29-41. https://doi.org/10.2147/IJGM.S241099
  3. Leaver RB. Male infertility: an overview of causes and treatment options. Br J Nurs 2016;25:S35-40. https://doi.org/10.12968/bjon.2016.25.18.S35
  4. Schlegel PN, Sigman M, Collura B, De Jonge CJ, Eisenberg ML, Lamb DJ, et al. Diagnosis and treatment of infertility in men: AUA/ASRM Guideline Part I. J Urol 2021;205:36-43. https://doi.org/10.1097/JU.0000000000001521
  5. Leslie SW, Soon-Sutton TL, Khan MA. Male infertility. StatPearls Publishing; 2023.
  6. Johannes CB, Araujo AB, Feldman HA, Derby CA, Kleinman KP, McKinlay JB. Incidence of erectile dysfunction in men 40 to 69 years old: longitudinal results from the Massachusetts male aging study. J Urol 2000;163:460-3. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0022-5347(05)67900-1
  7. Ludwig W, Phillips M. Organic causes of erectile dysfunction in men under 40. Urol Int 2014;92:1-6. https://doi.org/10.1159/000354931
  8. Agrahari N, Lakshameesha C, Roy S, Awadhesh NC. Regulatory insight for aphrodisiac drugs. J Drug Des Res 2021;8:1077.
  9. Rew KT. Men's health: male sexual dysfunction. FP Essent 2021;503:28-33.
  10. Yuan H, Ma Q, Ye L, Piao G. The traditional medicine and modern medicine from natural products. Molecules 2016;21:559.
  11. Amiri MS, Joharchi MR. Ethnobotanical knowledge of Apiaceae family in Iran: a review. Avicenna J Phytomed 2016;6:621-35.
  12. Christensen LP, Brandt K. Bioactive polyacetylenes in food plants of the Apiaceae family: occurrence, bioactivity and analysis. J Pharm Biomed Anal 2006;41:683-93. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpba.2006.01.057
  13. Moran J, van Rijswijk B, Traicevski V, Kitajima EW, Mackenzie AM, Gibbs AJ. Potyviruses, novel and known, in cultivated and wild species of the family Apiaceae in Australia. Arch Virol 2002;147:1855-67. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00705-002-0865-8
  14. Aydogan F, Baykan S, Soliman GA, Yusufoglu H, Bedir E. Evaluation of the potential aphrodisiac activity of sesquiterpenoids from roots of Ferula huber-morathii Pesmen in male rats. J Ethnopharmacol 2020;257:112868.
  15. Bagheri SM, Yadegari M, Zare-Mohazabiye F, Momeni-Asl H, Mirjalili A, Anvari M, et al. Effect of Ferula assa foetida oleo-gum-resin on gastric ulcer in indomethacin-ulcerated rats. J Curr Res Sci Med 2018;4:42-6. https://doi.org/10.4103/jcrsm.jcrsm_48_17
  16. Iranshahy M, Iranshahi M. Traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology of asafoetida (Ferula assa-foetida oleo-gum-resin): a review. J Ethnopharmacol 2011;134:1-10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2010.11.067
  17. Eigner D, Scholz D. Ferula asa-foetida and Curcuma longa in traditional medical treatment and diet in Nepal. J Ethnopharmacol 1999;67:1-6. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0378-8741(98)00234-7
  18. Bagheri SM, Yadegari M, Behpur M, Javidmehr D. Antilithiatic and hepatoprotective effects of Ferula assa-foetida oleo-gum-resin on ethylene glycol-induced lithiasis in rats. Urol Sci 2018;29:180-5. https://doi.org/10.4103/UROS.UROS_10_18
  19. Bagheri SM, Dashti-R MH, Morshedi A. Antinociceptive effect of Ferula assa-foetida oleo-gum-resin in mice. Res Pharm Sci 2014;9:207-12.
  20. Ebrahimzadeh MA, Nabavi SM, Nabavi SF, Dehpour AA. Antioxidant activity of hydroalcholic extract of Ferula gummosa Boiss roots. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2011;15:658-64. 
  21. Lamnaouer D. Anticoagulant activity of coumarins from Ferula communis L. Therapie 1999;54:747-51.
  22. Bagheri SM, Rezvani ME, Vahidi AR, Esmaili M. Anticonvulsant effect of Ferula assa-foetida oleo gum resin on chemical and amygdala-kindled rats. N Am J Med Sci 2014;6:408-12. https://doi.org/10.4103/1947-2714.139296
  23. Bagheri S, Hejazian Sh, Dashti-R M. The relaxant effect of seed's essential oil and oleo-gum-resin of Ferula assa-foetida on isolated rat's ileum. Ann Med Health Sci Res 2014;4:238-41. https://doi.org/10.4103/2141-9248.129050
  24. Vijayalakshmi, Adiga S, Bhat P, Chaturvedi A, Bairy KL, Kamath S. Evaluation of the effect of Ferula asafoetida Linn. gum extract on learning and memory in Wistar rats. Indian J Pharmacol 2012;44:82-7. https://doi.org/10.4103/0253-7613.91873
  25. Bagheri SM, Dashti-R MH. Influence of asafoetida on prevention and treatment of memory impairment induced by d-galactose and NaNO2 in mice. Am J Alzheimers Dis Other Demen 2015; 30:607-12. https://doi.org/10.1177/1533317515576388
  26. Iranshahi M, Alizadeh M. Antihyperglycemic effect of Asafoetida (Ferula assafoetida Oleo-Gum-Resin) in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. World Appl Sci J 2012;17:157-62.
  27. Deveci E, Tel-Cayan G, Duru ME. Phenolic profile, antioxidant, anticholinesterase, and anti-tyrosinase activities of the various extracts of Ferula elaeochytris and Sideritis stricta. Int J Food Prop 2018;21:771-83. https://doi.org/10.1080/10942912.2018.1431660
  28. Kumar TB, Reddy VJ, Rushendran R, Mamatha T, Roja J, Roopavani T. Antidepressant activity of ethanolic extract of oleo gum resins of Ferula asafoetida Linn. J Pre-Clin Clin Res 2017;11:50-60. https://doi.org/10.26444/jpccr/75721
  29. Bagheri SM, Abdian-Asl A, Moghadam MT, Yadegari M, Mirjalili A, Zare-Mohazabieh F, et al. Antitumor effect of Ferula assa foetida oleo gum resin against breast cancer induced by 4T1 cells in BALB/c mice. J Ayurveda Integr Med 2017;8:152-8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaim.2017.02.013
  30. Bagheri SM, Maghsoudi MJ, Yadegari M. Preventive effect of Ferula asafoetida oleo gum resin on histopathology in cuprizone-induced demyelination mice. Int J Prev Med 2020;11:179.
  31. Sayed-Ahmad B, Talou T, Saad Z, Hijazi A, Merah O. The Apiaceae: ethnomedicinal family as source for industrial uses. Ind Crops Prod 2017;109:661-71. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2017.09.027
  32. Sattar Z, Iranshahi M. Phytochemistry and pharmacology of Ferula hermonis Boiss: a review. Drug Res (Stuttg) 2017;67:437-46. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0043-109100
  33. Hanafi EM, Raouf AA, Kassem SS, Abdel-Kader MM, Elkadrawy HH. A novel herbal remedy to alleviate drawbacks of heat stress in rats with special references to some reproductive and molecular alterations. Glob J Biotechnol Biochem 2010;5:145-52.
  34. Al-Salhie KC, Al-Hummod SK. Ferula hermonis roots extract on testicular biometry and reproductive hormones in local ducks. Indian Vet J 2019;96:14-7.
  35. Abdulkareem TA, Khalil RI, Salman AH. Effect of adding Ferula hermonis Boiss roots and some antioxidants to Tris extender on post-cryopreserved sperm abnormalities percentage of Holstein bulls. Al-Anbar J Vet Sci 2018;11:70-81.
  36. Hadidi KA, Aburjai T, Battah AK. A comparative study of Ferula hermonis root extracts and sildenafil on copulatory behaviour of male rats. Fitoterapia 2003;74:242-6. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0367-326X(03)00032-7
  37. Girgis SM, ElRaouf AA, Abdou HS. Protective effect of Ferula hermonis root extract against cycraminduced DNA, biochemical and testicular damage in rats. Jordan J Biol Sci 2021;14:105-10. https://doi.org/10.54319/jjbs/140114
  38. Osman NN. Antioxidant effects of Ferula hermonis and bee honey on γ-radiation-induced oxidative testicular damage in rats. J Radiat Res Appl Sci 2011;4(4A):1201-19.
  39. Khleifat K, Homady MH, Tarawneh KA, Shakhanbeh J. Effect of Ferula hormonis extract on social aggression, fertility and some physiological parameters in prepubertal male mice. Endocr J 2001;48:473-82. https://doi.org/10.1507/endocrj.48.473
  40. Ayuob NN, Al-Harbi MS, Abdulhadi SS. Is the chronic use of Ferula harmonis to enhance mice erectile function effective and safe?: a histopathological study. Syst Biol Reprod Med 2014;60:282-92. https://doi.org/10.3109/19396368.2014.923059
  41. Al-Harbi MS. The effect of Ferula hermonis roots extract on some physiological, biochemical and behavioral aspects in laboratory mice [dissertation]. King Abdulaziz University Faculty of Sciences; 2010.
  42. El-Thaher TS, Matalka KZ, Taha HA, Badwan AA. Ferula harmonis 'zallouh' and enhancing erectile function in rats: efficacy and toxicity study. Int J Impot Res 2001;13:247-51. https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijir.3900706
  43. Zanoli P, Benelli A, Rivasi M, Baraldi C, Vezzalini F, Baraldi M. Opposite effect of acute and subchronic treatments with Ferula hermonis on copulatory behavior of male rats. Int J Impot Res 2003;15:450-5. https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijir.3901051
  44. Abdel-Kader MM, Kassem SS, Danial EN, El-Raouf AA, Hanafi EM. Evaluation of Ferula hermonis root extract as a growt promoter. Int J Acad Res 2011;3:140-7.
  45. Colman-Saizarbitoria T, Boutros P, Amesty A, Bahsas A, Mathison Y, Garrido Mdel R, et al. Ferutinin stimulates nitric oxide synthase activity in median eminence of the rat. J Ethnopharmacol 2006;106:327-32. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2006.01.025
  46. Zanoli P, Rivasi M, Zavatti M, Brusiani F, Vezzalini F, Baraldi M. Activity of single components of Ferula hermonis on male rat sexual behavior. Int J Impot Res 2005;17:513-8. https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijir.3901346
  47. Bagheri S, Javidmehr D, Ghaffari M, Ghoderti-Shatori E. Chemical compositions and antiproliferative effect of essential oil of asafoetida on MCF7 human breast cancer cell line and female wistar rats. Cancer Transl Med 2020;6:34.
  48. Bafghi AF, Bagheri SM, Hejazian SH. Antileishmanial activity of Ferula assa-foetida oleo gum resin against Leishmania major: an in vitro study. J Ayurveda Integr Med 2014;5:223-6. https://doi.org/10.4103/0975-9476.146567
  49. Bagheri SM, Mohamadsadeghi H, Hejazian ES. Antinociceptive effect of seed's essential oil of Ferula assa-foetida in mice. Int J Clin Exp Physiol 2017;4:34-7. https://doi.org/10.4103/ijcep.ijcep_5_17
  50. Shieh A, Bagheri SM, Yadegari M, Javidmehr D, Farhadi Z. Therapeutic effect of Ferula assa-foetida oleo-gum resin in rats with letrozole-induced polycystic ovary syndrome. Clin Exp Reprod Med 2022;49:239-47. https://doi.org/10.5653/cerm.2022.05449
  51. O'g'li E. Influence of herbaceous grain on Ferula assafoet on the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of snowflake rams sperm. Asian J Multidimens Res 2019;8:6-10. https://doi.org/10.5958/2278-4853.2019.00298.2
  52. Selyametovich SR, Nabievich NA, Khakimovich TS. Study of Asphervon gum effect on diuresis, spermatogenesis and its effect on testosterone level in rat male blood. Indian J Forensic Med Toxicol 2022;16:1056-63. https://doi.org/10.37506/ijfmt.v16i1.17635
  53. Ayoubi AR, Valizadeh R, Arshami J, Mousavi Z. The effect of water-alcholic extracted gum of Ferula asafoetida on body and testes weight, testosterone and spermatogenesis in adult male wistar rat. Iran J Anim Sci Res 2014;6:173-80.
  54. Bagheri SM, Yadegari M, Porentezari M, Mirjalili A, Hasanpor A, Dashti RM, et al. Effect of Ferula assa-foetida oleo gum resin on spermatic parameters and testicular histopathology in male wistar rats. J Ayurveda Integr Med 2015;6:175-80. https://doi.org/10.4103/0975-9476.146552
  55. Bagheri SM, Yadegari M, Mirjalily A, Rezvani ME. Evaluation of toxicity effects of asafetida on biochemical, hematological, and histological parameters in male Wistar rats. Toxicol Int 2015;22:61-5. https://doi.org/10.4103/0971-6580.172258
  56. Manayi A, Aliakbari F, Hadjiakhondi A. Effects of Ferula assa-foetida extract on spermatogenesis of rats. Res J Pharmacogn 2017; 4(Supplement):97.
  57. Kassis E, Fulder S, Khalil K, Hadieh B, Nahhas F, Saad B, et al. Efficacy and safety assessments of Ferula assa-foetida L., traditionally used in Greco-Arab herbal medicine for enhancing male fertility, libido and erectile function. Open Complement Med J 2009;1: 102-9.
  58. Yusufoglu HS, Soliman GA, Abdel-Rahman RF, Abdel-Kader MS, Genaie MA, Bedir E, et al. Antioxidant and antihyperglycemic effects of Ferula drudeana and Ferula huber-morathii in experimental diabetic rats. Int J Pharmacol 2015;11:738-48. https://doi.org/10.3923/ijp.2015.738.748
  59. Kiziltas H, Goren AC, Bingol Z, Alwasel SH, Gulcin I. Anticholinergic, antidiabetic and antioxidant activities of Ferula orientalis L. determination of its polyphenol contents by LC-HRMS. Rec Nat Prod 2021;15:513-28. https://doi.org/10.25135/rnp.236.21.02.1983
  60. Karakaya S, Yilmaz Oral D, Gur S, Kilic CS. Effect of aerial part and root extracts from Ferula orientalis L. growing in Turkey on erectile dysfunction in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Biol Divers Conserv 2019;12:1-6. https://doi.org/10.5505/biodicon.2019.29392
  61. Eser N, Buyuknacar HS, Cimentepe OO, Gocmen C, Ucar Y, Erdogan S, et al. The effect of Ferula elaeochytris root extract on erectile dysfunction in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat. Int J Impot Res 2020;32:186-94. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41443-019-0137-8
  62. Inanan BE, Acar U, Inanan T. Effects of dietary Ferula elaeochytris root powder concentrations on haematology, serum biochemical parameters, spermatozoa parameters, and oxidative status in tissues of males goldfish (Carassius auratus). Aquaculture 2021; 544:737087.
  63. Eser N, Yoldas A, Yigin A, Yumusak N, Bozkurt AS, Kokbas U, et al. The protective effect of Ferula elaeochytris on age-related erectile dysfunction. J Ethnopharmacol 2020;258:112921.
  64. Tosun F, Goger F, Iscan G, Kurkcuoglu M, Kuran FK, Miski M. Biological activities of the fruit essential oil, fruit, and root extracts of Ferula drudeana Korovin, the putative Anatolian ecotype of the Silphion plant. Plants (Basel) 2023;12:830.
  65. Alqarni MH, Soliman GA, Salkini MA, Alam P, Yusufoglu HS, Baykan S, et al. The potential aphrodisiac effect of Ferula drudeana Korovin extracts and isolated sesquiterpene coumarins in male rats. Pharmacogn Mag 2020;16:404-9. https://doi.org/10.4103/pm.pm_551_19
  66. Seki Y, Sarikanat M, Sever K, Durmuskahya C. Extraction and properties of Ferula communis (chakshir) fibers as novel reinforcement for composites materials. Compos B Eng 2013;44:517-23. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesb.2012.03.013
  67. Akaberi M, Iranshahy M, Iranshahi M. Review of the traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicology of giant fennel (Ferula communis L. subsp. communis). Iran J Basic Med Sci 2015;18:1050-62.
  68. Koca SB, Ozdogan HB, Ozmen O, Biyikli M, Yigit NO. Effects of Tribulus terrestris and Ferula communis extracts on growth and gonad histology of red zebra cichlid Maylandia estherae (Konings, 1995). Indian J Fish 2021;68:157-63.  https://doi.org/10.21077/ijf.2021.68.4.110798-19