Review Article

Effects of Withania somnifera on Reproductive System: A Systematic Review of the Available Evidence

Table 3

Characteristics and results of animal-plant and cellular studies investigating effects of Withaniasomnifera on reproductive system.

NumberAuthor/yearType of studyParticipantIntervention protocolPlant/extractDuration of studiesResultsPlace

(1)Bhattarai et al., 2010 [54]In vitroGnRH neurons of male and female juvenile mice brain () under patch clamp techniqueBath application of the 400 ng/μl under condition of high clMethanolic extract of root powderND Production of potent membrane depolarization of the GnRH neurons, ↑ spontaneous action potentials, ↑   memetic activityRepublic of Korea

(2)Kataria et al., 2015 [55]In vitro & in vivo
(animal)
Rat hypothalamic GnV-3 cells & Wistar adult male rats (); 2 groups: control () and WS ()In vitro: 0.05–1.5% ASH-WEX
In vivo: 4 ml/kg ASH-WEX/oral route
Aqueous extract of leaves24 h & 21 daysIn vitro: significant changes in morphology and physiological in GnV-3 as cell body size and neurite process, ↓ LDH levels at higher concentrations of WS, ↑ release of GnRH extra cellularly in the GnV-3 cells after treatment with WS, no elevated cytotoxicity, viable of 61.2% of cell after WS
In vivo: no marked difference in GnRH level in WS-treated as compared to control group but upregulation of GnRH expression after treatment with WS
India

(3)Singh et al., 2013 [56]In vitro & in vivo (animal)Rat semen & proven fertility, male albino rat (); 3 groups: control (), WS 25 mg (), WS 50 mg ()2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 25 & 50 mg/kg/day/orallyEthanolic extract of stems20 s & 60 daysIn vitro: minimum effective concentration of WS to kill 1 million sperm in 20 s was around 10 ± 0.066
In vivo: ↓ sperm density of cauda epididymal sperms, ↓ weight of testes, ↓ epididymis and seminal vesicle, ↓ spermatogenesis, ↓ sperm motility of cauda epididymal sperms, ↓ seminiferous tubules size, ↓ leydig cell nuclei diameter, ↓ seminiferous tubular diameter, ↓ rate of fertility in high dose WS and no considerable changes in T, FSH, sperms morphology, serum biochemistry, hematological parameters, body weight compared to control group
India

(4)Ganu et al., 2010 [57]In vitro &
in vivo (animal)
Healthy male rats () & adult male mice (); 8 groups: control (), abutilon indicum with various doses (), WS with various doses (), sildenafil () 1 mg/ml & 100, 200, 400 mg/kg/POAqueous extract of roots28 d ↑ sperm count in all groups (), ↑ mounting frequency () with WS 200, 400, ↑ frequency of penile erection episodes (), ↑ number of female licking behaviors with WS 400 (), ↑ mating behavior with WS 400 (), ↑ body weight with WS 400 (), ↑ testes weight, ↑ weight of prostate with WS 400, 200 () compared to controlIndia

(5)Prithiviraj et al., 2013 [58]In vitro & in vivo (animal)Male Wistar albino rats (); 5 groups: cadmium-induced oxidative injury in testis (), control (), cadmium + WS (), cadmium and vitamin E (), control and WS ()300 mg/kg dissolved in 2% gum acacia /gavageRoot power30 days ↑ SOD (), ↑ CAT (), ↑ GPX (), ↑ GSH (), ↑ levels of Vit C (ascorbic acid) (), Vit E (αtocopherol) (), ↓ ROS, ↓ LPO, ↓ caspase-3 in Cd + WS testis compared to Cd testis, ↓ GST () in Cd + WS compared to normal level, ↓ apoptotic cells (), ↑ weight and volume of testes, ↑ leydig cell number (), ↓ necrotic or pathological change of testes in Cd + WS compared to control, no toxic side effect, stress, changes in behaviorIndia

(6)Kyathanahalli et al., 2014 [59]In vitro & in vivo (animal)Prepubertal male rats (); 3 groups: streptozotocin-induced testicular oxidative
impairments (), control (), STZ + WS ()
500 μg & 500 mg/kg/day/oral
gavage
Aqueous root extract15 daysIn vitro: considerable inhibition of deoxyribose and stable free radical DPPH
In vivo: ↓ LPO, ↓ ROS in testis cytosol 38%, mitochondria 24% of STZ + WS groups but no marked change, ↑ total Thiol (TSH, GSH), ↑ nonprotein thiol (NPSH) in testis cytosol and mitochondria, ↑ weights of testis, ↓ blood glucose of STZ + WS group compared to STZ group ()
India

ND, not determined; WS, Withania somnifera; FSH, follicular stimulating hormone; LH, luteinizing hormone; ALP, alkaline phosphatase; Cd, cadmium; GSH, glutathione peroxidase; SOD, superoxide dismutase; CAT, catalase; MDA, malondialdehyde; STD, seminiferous tubules diameter; T, testosterone; PRL, prolactin; LPO, lipid peroxidation; GABAA g-amino butyric acid; TG, triglyceride; EDSI, erectile dysfunction severity index; FSFI, female sexual function index; FSDS, female sexual distress scale; IMHQOL, Internet mental health quality of life scale; QEQ, quality of erection questionnaire; NZ, normozoospermic; OZ, oligozoospermic; AZ, asthenozoospermic; IDH, isocitrate dehydrogenase; LDH, lactate dehydrogenase; ALT, alanine aminotransferase; AST, aspartate aminotransferase; GPC, glycerophosphocholine; ↑, increase; ↓, decrease.