Phytochemicals and the breakthrough of traditional herbs in the management of sexual dysfunctions

Author

Adimoelja A

Address

School of medicine 'Hang Tuah' University, Teaching and Naval Hospital,Surabaya, Indonesia.

Source

Int J Androl, 23 Suppl 2(-HD-):82-4 2000

Abstract

Traditional herbs have been a revolutionary breakthrough in the management of erectile dysfunction and have become known world-wide as an 'instant' treatment. The modern view of the management of erectile dysfunction subscribes to a single etiology, i.e. the mechanism of erection. A large number of pharmacological agents are orally consumed and vasoactive agents inserted intraurethrally or injected intrapenially to regain good erection. Modern phytochemicals have developed from traditional herbs. Phytochemicals focus their mechanism of healing action to the root cause, i.e. the inability to control the proper function of the whole body system. Hence phytochemicals manage erectile dysfunction in the frame of sexual dysfunction as a whole entity. Protodioscin is a phytochemical agent derived from Tribulus terrestris L plant, which has been clinically proven to improve sexual desire and enhance erection via the conversion of protodioscine to DHEA (De-Hydro-Epi-Androsterone). Preliminary observations suggest that Tribulus terrestris L grown on different soils does not consistently produce the active component Protodioscin. Further photochemical studies of many other herbal plants are needed to explain the inconsistent results found with other herbal plants, such as in diversities of Ginseng, Eurycoma longifolia, Pimpinella pruacen, Muara puama, Ginkgo biloba, Yohimbe etc.

Language

Eng

Unique Identifier

20309682

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Major MeSH Headings

Impotence DT ; Medicine, Herbal ; Saponins TU

Minor MeSH Headings

Clinical Trials ; Double-Blind Method ; Fertility ; Human ; Male ; Multicenter Studies ; Placebos

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Publication Type

JOURNAL ARTICLE

ISSN

0105-6263

Country of Publication

ENGLAND

Entry Month

0009