Efficacy and Safety Assessments of Ferula assa-foetida L., Traditionally used in Greco-Arab Herbal Medicine for Enhancing Male Fertility, Libido and Erectile Function

ABSTRACT

Based on knowledge from traditional Arabic and Islamic herbal medicine, this study aims to examine the effects of extracts from Ferula assa-foetida L on male fertility and sexual functioning in rats and in man. Therefore, ethanol extract from seeds and 50% water-ethanol extracts from roots were prepared into so-called “Masculine” tablets and assessed for their safety and efficacy in enhancing male libido. Results obtained show that Masculine exhibit high levels of safety in both cultured human fibroblasts and in experimental studies on rats with a LD₅₀ of 5 g/kg. Antioxidant properties were substantial both in rat liver cells and in human sperm cells at a concentration of 50µg/ml. Experiments with rat arterial rings with and without their endothelial tissue revealed, that Masculine is a potent vasodilator due to an endotheliamediated effect rather than a direct effect on smooth muscle cells. Episodes of penile erection were studied in two groups of rats and were significantly augmented in the Masculine treated group. Furthermore, two groups of healthy young men were studied and followed for 3 months while consuming one Masculine tablet daily. Masculine was well tolerated by all men and no side effects were reported. Both groups were recruited from fertility clinics, the first group (n = 60) was recruited due to incomplete azospermia that was medically untreatable, and the second group (n = 25) was recruited due to erectile dysfunction and impotence of no treatable cause. Quantitative and qualitative improvements of sperm counts were reported after two months of treatment in 17% and 60%, in the first and second group, respectively. In addition, 60% of the second group reported remarkable improvements in both their libido and erectile function. Taken collectively, our results indicate that Masculine is a safe sexual tonic enhancing male sexual functioning in animals and in man.

Keywords:

Ferula asafoetida, male impotence, erectile function, fertility, masculine, Arab herbal medicine.