Role of Medicinal Plants in Combating Anti-depressant Induced Male Infertility

Depression is a complex neurological disorder. More than two hundred million people are affected by depression. Anti-depressant drugs prescribed to alleviate the symptoms associated with depression can interact with the neuroendocrine system and alter the level of neurotransmitters in the CNS. Dopamine, serotonin, testosterone, and other hormones influence human reproductive functions and sexual behavior. Anti-depressant drugs induce multiple hormonal and neurochemical changes throughout the central and peripheral nervous system. They were found to impair male sexual function by altering the concentration of androgenic hormones. Moreover, they were found to deteriorate semen parameters and adversely affect the integrity of sperm DNA. The paper describes the role of anti-depressants in inducing male infertility and the potential of traditionally used medicinal plants in restoring male fertility, which is compromised by anti-depressants. Medicinal plants have been reported to restore testosterone, FSH, and LH level in patients who consume antidepressants. Although the studies could not provide a specific mechanism, it has been reported that the plants showed the ability to upregulated anti-oxidant pathways and counter the oxidative stress induced by anti-oxidants which inhibit sperm DNA damage and improve semen parameters.