title: Effects of Nigella sativa L. seed oil on abnormal semen quality in infertile men: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.
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 20×10(6)/ml or type A and B motility less than 25% and 50% respectively. The patients in N. sativa oil group (n=34) received 2.5mlN. sativa oil and placebo group (n=34) received 2.5ml 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 5ml N. sativa oil for two months improves abnormal semen quality in infertile men without any adverse effects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Payamenoor University, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kolahdooz
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Payamenoor University, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nasri
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mahdieh Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: S Zadeh
authors.initials: SZ
authors.lastname: Modarres
authors.affiliation: Pharmacology and Applied Medicine Department of Medicinal Plants Research Center, Institute of Medicinal Plants, ACECR, Alborz, Karaj, Iran.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kianbakht
authors.affiliation: Pharmacology and Applied Medicine Department of Medicinal Plants Research Center, Institute of Medicinal Plants, ACECR, Alborz, Karaj, Iran. Electronic address: huseini_fallah@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: H Fallah
authors.initials: HF
authors.lastname: Huseini
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D031881:Nigella sativa / Q000737:chemistry*; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012639:Seeds; D012661:Semen / Q000378:metabolism*; D055101:Semen Analysis; D013076:Sperm Count; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts; D010938:Plant Oils
keywords: Abnormal semen quality; Male infertility; Nigella sativa seed oil; Traditional medicine