WORLD JOURNAL OF ADVANCE
HEALTHCARE RESEARCH

Asha Murshida Muthalib*, Mohamed Musthafa Mohamed Nifras and Subairu Mohomed Mujahid

ABSTRACT

Infertility is a disease of the reproductive system defined by the failure to achieve a clinical pregnancy after 12 months or more of regular unprotected sexual intercourse. A male factor contributes to infertility in approximately 50% of couples who fail to conceive, causing significant psychosocial and marital stress. Mucuna pruriens is an annual and perennial legume which belongs to the family Fabaceae having different types of therapeutic activity. Conventionally, Mucuna pruriens seeds are used for maintaining male infertility in traditional systems of medicine and it is widely used as a potent aphrodisiac and spermatogenic agent. Google Scholar and PubMed were explored to obtain the evidences on the effect of Mucuna pruriens on male infertility and other pharmacological activities. The mechanisms involved in the beneficial effects of Mucuna pruriens in male infertility are improving semen quality, improving sperm count and motility, rejuvenating the harmonic balance of male reproductive hormones, and improving sexual behavior, libido and potency. Apart from beneficial effects of Mucuna pruriens on male infertility, it possesses some most common pharmacological activities including Anti-oxidant, Anti-inflammatory, Aphrodisiac, Hepatoprotective and Anti-Parkinson’s activity. The plant is reported to have L-3-4 dihydroxy - phenylalanine (L-DOPA) as a major constituent mainly in seeds. Alkaloidal constituents such as Mucunadine, Mucunine, Prurienidine, Prurienine are reported from seeds. This review emphasizes the potential role of Mucuna pruriens in the management of male infertility systematically through literature review available to date. Some other activities of Mucuna pruriens are also summarized in this review.

[Full Text Article] [Download Certificate]