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. 2022 Aug 4;58(8):1047.
doi: 10.3390/medicina58081047.

Eurycoma longifolia (Jack) Improves Serum Total Testosterone in Men: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Clinical Trials

Kristian Leisegang  1 , Renata Finelli  2 , Suresh C Sikka  3 , Manesh Kumar Panner Selvam  3
Affiliations

Eurycoma longifolia (Jack) Improves Serum Total Testosterone in Men: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Clinical Trials

Kristian Leisegang et al. Medicina (Kaunas). .

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Male hypogonadism is a clinical disorder characterized by reduced serum testosterone in men. Although treatment using herbal medicines, including Eurycoma longifolia, has been investigated, the benefits remain unclear. This study aims to investigate the efficacy of E. longifolia as a sole intervention to increase testosterone levels in males. Materials and Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) according to the PRISMA guidelines. Relevant articles were retrieved from the databases PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane, Ovid/Embase, and Google Scholar. Results: After literature screening, a total of nine studies was included in the systematic review. Five RCTs were included in the meta-analysis. A significant improvement in total testosterone levels after E. longifolia treatment was mostly reported in both healthy volunteers and hypogonadal men. The random model effect revealed a significant increase (SMD = 1.352, 95% CI 0.565 to 2.138, p = 0.001) in the total testosterone levels in men receiving E. longifolia supplementation, which was confirmed in the hypogonadism subgroup. Conclusions: This systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature supports the possible use of E. longifolia supplementation for enhancing testosterone production. Although more research is required before its use in clinical practice, this may represent a safe and promising therapeutic option, particularly in hypogonadal men.

Keywords: Eurycoma longifolia; Tongkat ali; hypogonadism; male; testosterone.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Flow diagram reporting the search strategy. SD: standard deviation.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Assessment of quality and risk of bias of the studies included in the meta-analysis, using the version 2 of the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials [23]. Studies included: Chan et al., 2021 [29]; Leitão et al., 2021 [28]; Chinnappan et al., 2021 [26]; George et al., 2013 [32]; Quin, 2021 [34].
Figure 3
Figure 3
Average net change in serum testosterone levels of men supplemented with Eurycoma longifolia. The pooled effect size is indicated by the diamond. As different groups were analyzed in their studies after E. longifolia supplementation, Leitão et al., 2021 [28], and Chinnappan et al., 2021 [26], are included twice in our analysis.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Average net change in serum testosterone levels of (A) normal healthy men and (B) men with hypogonadism supplemented with Eurycoma longifolia. The pooled effect size is indicated by the diamond.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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