Effect of Withania somnifera in the treatment of male infertility: A literature review

The high prevalence of male infertility associated with the high costs of its conventional treatment motivated researchers to look for alternative approaches to the treatment of sexual dysfunction. The use of medicinal plants for these fins has been adopted in Withania somnifera which is one of the plants that has been associated with improvements in male fertility. Thus, the aim of this study was to review data available in the literature on the effect of W. somnifera in the treatment of male infertility. The Pubmed, Lilacs and Medline databases from 2009 to 2019 were searched and 9 articles selected, including intervention articles, systematic review and meta-analysis. Also known as Aswagandha or "Indian Ginseng", the part of W. somnifera most used in treating infertility is the root, mainly in the form of extract. It acts through two mechanisms: "oxidative" and "non-oxidative", both associated with improved sperm count, motility and morphology. However, further studies should be conducted investigating isolated phytochemicals to verify their true functionality. Key words: Male infertility, male sexual disorders, Withania somnifera.