Preliminary report on the safety of a new herbal formula and its effect on sperm quality.
OBJECTIVE
Male infertility is a serious problem, and its prevalence has been increasing. Therefore, we investigated the safety of a new herbal formula and its effects on sperm quality.


METHODS
An in vitro cytotoxicity test in TM3 Leydig cells was performed to evaluate cell viability after administration of five types of herbs separately and of a new herbal formula containing these five. An in vivo test in male mice was performed to evaluate the influence of the new herbal formula on the reproductive organs and sperm quality. After the 8- and 28-day oral administration of the new herbal formula, the weights of the reproductive organs were measured and the sperm count and motility were evaluated.


RESULTS
In the in vitro cytotoxicity test, less than 80% cell viability at concentrations of 500 mg/L and 1,000 mg/L of Rubus coreanus Miquel and Cuscuta chinensis Lam was observed. However, more than 80% cell viability was observed at all the tested concentrations of the new herbal formula. After the 8- and 28-day oral administration, there were no considerable changes in body weight. The weights of the testes, epididymis, and seminal vesicles after the 8- and 28-day oral administration were similar to those of the control. The sperm count and activity were significantly improved compared with those of the control group at 8 and 28 days after 100, 200, and 400 mg of oral administration.


CONCLUSIONS
The safety of the new formula and its positive effect on the sperm quality were observed after the oral administration of the formula.
Catholic Fertility Care Center, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Su Jin
SJ
Kim
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Mee Ran
MR
Kim
Korea Bio Medical Science Institute, Seoul, Korea.
Sung Yeoun
SY
Hwang
Department of Urology, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Woong Jin
WJ
Bae
Department of Urology, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Seol
S
Kim
Department of Urology, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Sung Hoo
SH
Hong
Department of Urology, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Ji Youl
JY
Lee
Department of Urology, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Tae-Kon
TK
Hwang
Department of Urology, Second Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China.
Zhiping
Z
Wang
Department of Urology, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Sae Woong
SW
Kim
Infertility, male; Phytotherapy; Safety; Spermatozoa