Chemical characterization and male fertility enhancing potentials of selected medicinal plants from Egypt: A systematic review

Introduction: The use of medicinal plants for the treatment of human diseases has deep historical roots in ancient Egypt, where herbal remedies were integral to traditional healthcare systems. This systematic review aimed to evaluate current evidence on the effects of native Egyptian medicinal plants on male fertility outcomes, alongside the chemical characterization of these plants' bioactive constituents.Methods: A systematic review was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines. Literature research was performed in PubMed and Scopus databases for studies published between 1968 and 2024. Search terms included ("Extract" OR "Medicinal Plants") AND ("Male infertility" OR "Male fertility"). Inclusion criteria were randomized controlled trials using experimental animal models, examining the impact of Egyptian medicinal plants on male fertility outcomes with appropriate control groups. Results: Out of the initial search, 9 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the final synthesis. These studies identified several plant species—Moringa oleifera, Allium sativum, Epimedium brevicornum, Punica granatum (Pomegranate), Sargassum virgatum, and Artemisia annua—as having fertility-enhancing properties in male animal models. These medicinal plant extracts improved fertility outcomes by modulating oxidative stress, reducing inflammatory biomarkers, and enhancing reproductive hormones such as follicle-stimulating hormone, testosterone, and luteinizing hormone. Chemical characterization consistently revealed the presence of bioactive compounds, including flavonoids, o-coumaric acid, alkaloids, ferulic acid, glycosides, p-coumaric acid, cardiac glycosides, chlorogenic acid, saponins, vanillic acid, phenols, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, sterols, catechin, tannins, gallic acid, and rutin.Conclusion: Egyptian medicinal plants represent a promising and culturally relevant approach for managing male infertility through mechanisms involving reductions in oxidative stress and inflammation. However, further well-designed studies are necessary to validate these findings and explore their broader therapeutic applications across different populations.