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Review
. 2023 Oct 26;33(1):27.
doi: 10.1186/s12610-023-00203-0.

The role of red ginseng in men's reproductive health: a literature review

Hao Wang  1 , Jiwei Zhang  1 , Dongyue Ma  1 , Ziwei Zhao  1 , Bin Yan  2 , Fu Wang  3
Affiliations
Review

The role of red ginseng in men's reproductive health: a literature review

Hao Wang et al. Basic Clin Androl. .

Abstract
in English, French

Background: Red ginseng (RG) is a traditional herb commonly used in China, Korea, and other East Asian countries. Recently, it has demonstrated a better clinical value in men's reproductive health (MRH). The present review aimed to examine the effects of RG treatment on MRH.

Results: Overall, 42 articles related to RG application in MRH were reviewed, of which 31 were animal experiments and 11 were clinical studies. Furthermore, this review analyzed the use of RG in some male reproductive diseases in clinical trials and determined the associated mechanisms of action. The mechanism of action of RG in MRH may be related to oxidative stress, regulation of sex hormones and spermatogenesis-related proteins, and anti-inflammation.

Conclusions: The application of RG for the treatment of male infertility, erectile dysfunction, and prostate diseases has the potential to contribute to MRH.

RéSUMé: CONTEXTE: Le ginseng rouge est une herbe traditionnelle couramment utilisée en Chine, en Corée et dans d'autres pays d'Asie de l'Est. Récemment, il a démontré une valeur clinique en santé reproductive des hommes. La présente revue visait à examiner les effets du traitement par ginseng rouge en santé reproductive masculine. RéSULTATS: Au total, 42 articles liés à l’utilisation du traitement par ginseng rouge en situation d’altérations de la santé reproductive mâle ont été examinés, dont 31 étaient des expériences sur des animaux et 11 des études cliniques. De plus, cette revue a analysé l'utilisation du ginseng rouge dans certaines maladies de la reproduction masculine lors d’essais cliniques, et a déterminé les mécanismes d'action associés. Le mécanisme d'action du ginseng rouge en santé reproductive mâle peut être lié au stress oxydatif, à la régulation des hormones sexuelles et des protéines liées à la spermatogenèse, et à une action anti-inflammatoire. CONCLUSIONS: L'application du ginseng rouge pour le traitement de l'infertilité masculine, de la dysfonction érectile et des maladies de la prostate a le potentiel de contribuer à la santé reproductive des hommes.

Keywords: Erectile dysfunction; Korea; Male infertility; Men’s reproductive health; Prostate diseases; Red ginseng.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Flow chart of the study search
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Mechanism of the therapeutic effect of red ginseng on male infertility. Abbreviations: FSH, follicle stimulating hormone; LH, luteinizing hormone; CREB, CAMP responsive element binding protein; PRx4, peroxiredoxin 4; GPx4, glutathione peroxidase 4; GSTm5, glutathione S-transferase mu 5, SIIS, subchronic intermittent immobilization stress. (Created with BioRender.com)
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Mechanism of the therapeutic effect of red ginseng on erectile dysfunction. Abbreviations: NOS, nitric oxide synthase; NO, nitric oxide; GTP, guanosine triphosphate; cGMP, cyclic guanosine monophosphate; GSH, glutathione; GSH-px, glutathione peroxidase; GSSG, glutathione oxidized; MDA, malondialdehyde; ROS, reactive oxygen species; TGF-β1, transforming growth factor-β 1. (Created with BioRender.com)
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Mechanism of the therapeutic effect of red ginseng on prostate diseases. Abbreviations: IL-6, interleukin-6; IL-1β, interleukin-1β; COX-2, cyclooxygenase-2; TNF-α, tumor necrosis factor-α; 5AR, 5α-reductase. (Created with BioRender.com)
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