Impact of Tribulus Terrestris on male fertility: systematic review and meta-analysis

Document Type : Review Article

Authors

1 PhD candidate in Reproductive Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.

2 Assistant Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women's Health Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.

3 Associate Professor, Department of Reproductive Health, Nursing and Midwifery Care Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.

Abstract

Introduction: Infertility is one of the most common problems in the world. In addition to recent attention to complementary drugs and alternative medicine for treatment of infertility, such as male infertility, the effect of some herbal medicines on sperm parameters has been studied. This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted with aim to investigate the effect of Tribulus Terrestris on male fertility.
Methods: In this systematic review, the databases of PubMed ،Web of science ، google scholar , Scopus , Cochrane, Sid , Magiran, and Iranmedex were searched using the keywords of “Tribulus Terrestris”, “Fertility”, “Infertility”, “Oligo Azoospermia “and “Sperm parameters” without time and language limitation. All the articles published until 30 Nov 2017 were included in the study. Finally, nine articles were included that four articles were export in Meta-analysis process. Data were analyzed by comprehensive software (version 2). Cochran test and I2 index were used to assess the heterogeneity of the articles.
Results: out of 1075 obtained articles, nine articles were entered to the systematic study that four article were export in Meta analysis process. The combination of data showed that the use of Tribulus Terrestris in men was accompanied by an increase in the parameters of sperm concentration and improved sperm morphology and sperm motility.
Conclusion: Tribulus Terrestris is effective on the sperm parameters and sexual function in men and can be used as complementary medicine along with other treatments in infertility with male factors.
Key words: 

Keywords

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The Iranian Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Infertility
Volume 22, Issue 3
May 2019
Pages 76-86

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