Study the effect of Ginseng extract on in vitro sperms activation

Background. Ginseng is a traditional medicinal herb known for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and fertility-enhancing properties. Its active components, ginsenosides, may improve sperm function through nitric oxide (NO)-mediated mechanisms. However, evidence of its direct in vitro effect on human sperm activation remains limited. Objective. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of ginseng extract supplementation in culture medium on sperm motility and morphology in asthenozoospermic men. Methods. Semen samples from 50 infertile men with asthenozoospermia were collected and divided into three groups: untreated control, PBS-treated placebo, and ginseng-treated (1 mg/mL) groups. After 30 minutes of incubation, sperm parameters were evaluated using Computer-Assisted Sperm Analysis (CASA). Results. The results showed that the addition of ginseng extract significantly enhanced progressive sperm motility in the treated group (87.21 ± 14.88%) compared to the untreated group (59.23 ± 22.27%) and pre-treatment baseline values (37.82 ± 13.64%) (p < 0.001). A significant improvement was also observed in the percentage of morphologically normal sperm. Morphologically normal sperm also increased significantly (68.75 ± 2.92%) in the ginseng group versus control (53.75 ± 0.99%) and baseline (34.25 ± 0.97%). Immotile sperm percentages were significantly reduced. Conclusion. In vitro supplementation of culture medium with ginseng extract appears to improve both motility and morphology of spermatozoa in vitro, suggesting its potential use in assisted reproductive techniques for asthenozoospermic patients.