Volume 21, Issue 6, 15 May 2014, Pages 901–905
Effects of Nigella sativa L. seed oil on abnormal semen quality in infertile men: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial
- Received 27 August 2013, Revised 1 December 2013, Accepted 22 February 2014, Available online 25 March 2014
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Abstract
In
recent years, wide utilization of herbal drugs has encouraged
scientists to determine their impressive effects on health. Since Nigella sativa L. seed (N. sativa) has many uses including infertility in traditional medicine, the effects of Nigella sativa
L. seed oil on abnormal semen quality in infertile men with abnormal
semen quality are of interest. This study was conducted on Iranian
infertile men with inclusion criteria of abnormal sperm morphology less
than 30% or sperm counts below 20 × 106/ml or type A and B motility less than 25% and 50% respectively. The patients in N. sativa oil group (n = 34) received 2.5 ml N. sativa oil and placebo group (n = 34)
received 2.5 ml liquid paraffin two times a day orally for 2 months. At
baseline and after 2 months, the sperm count, motility and morphology
and semen volume, pH and round cells as primary outcomes were determined
in both groups. Results showed that sperm count, motility and
morphology and semen volume, pH and round cells were improved
significantly in N. sativa oil treated group compared with placebo group after 2 months. It is concluded that daily intake of 5 ml N. sativa oil for two months improves abnormal semen quality in infertile men without any adverse effects.
Keywords
- Nigella sativa seed oil;
- Male infertility;
- Abnormal semen quality;
- Traditional medicine
- Corresponding author at: Institute of Medicinal Plants, ACECR, Karaj-Qazwain Freeway, Supa Boulevard, Jahade-Daneshgahi Research Society, Alborz, Karaj, Iran. Tel.: +98 26 34764010 20; fax: +98 26 34764010 20.
