Eurycoma Longifolia as a potential adoptogen of male sexual health: a systematic review on clinical studies

Thu, Hnin Ei; Mohamed, Isa Naina; Hussain, Zahid; Jayusman, Putri Ayu; Shuid, Ahmad Nazrun

https://doi.org/10.1016/S1875-5364(17)30010-9

Abstract

Eurycoma longifolia (EL) has been well recognized as a booster of male sexual health. Over the past few decades, numerous in vivo animal studies and human clinical trials have been conducted across the globe to explore the promising role of EL in managing various male sexual disorders, which include erectile dysfunction, male infertility, low libido, and downregulated testosterone levels. The aim of the present review is to analyze and summarize the literature on human clinical trials which revealed the clinical significance and therapeutic feasibility of EL in improving male sexual health. This systematic review is focused on the following databases: Medline, Wiley Online Library, BioMed Central, Hindawi, Web of Knowledge, PubMed Central and Google Scholar, using search terms such as “Eurycoma longifolia”, “EL”, “Tongkat Ali”, “male sexual health”, “sexual infertility”, “erectile dysfunction”, “male libido”, and “testosterone levels”. Notably, only human clinical studies published between 2000 and 2014 were selected and thoroughly reviewed for relevant citations. Out of 150 articles, 11 met the inclusion criteria. The majority of articles included were randomized placebo-controlled trials, multiple cohort studies, or pilot trials. All these studies demonstrated considerable effects of EL on male sexual health disorders. Among them, 7 studies revealed remarkable association between the use of EL and the efficacy in the treatment of male sexual disorders, and remaining 4 studies failed to demonstrate sufficient effects on male sexual health. In summary, there is convincing evidence for the prominence of EL in improving the male sexual health. The review also substantiates the use of current methodology in the development of novel and more rationale natural herbal medicines for the management of male sexual disorders.

The aim of the present review is to analyze and summarize the literature on human clinical trials which revealed the clinical significance and therapeutic feasibility of the Eurycoma longifolia (EL) in improving male sexual health. The findings of human clinical studies revealed a promising efficacy of EL to treat erectile dysfunction in sexually sluggish males by improving penile erection, erectile hardness and sexual performance. The clinical significance of EL in male infertility was also evidenced by significantly improving semen volume, concentration of sperms, and proportion of sperms having normal morphology, sperm motility, sexual libido, and overall sexual satisfaction. The critical analysis of the literature assessed that sex boosting effects of EL are due to its testosterone levels enhancing effects in males.

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