Natural products and their components ameliorate aging-induced reproductive disorders: a narrative review
Xiaowei Dai, Luying Zhang, Muhammad Akmal, Zhen-huan Zhou
Abstract
Aging affects various organs of the human body. Reproductive aging is the age-related decline in reproductive capacity, such as ovarian senescence and sperm senescence, which leads to reproductive disorders. Infertility and reproductive disorders are closely related, and improving the physical and mental health of these patients has a positive impact on social development and family relationships. Most natural products have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and immune-enhancing effects, which positively affect reproductive aging. Therefore, this article provides a brief introduction to the causes associated with reproductive aging and a review of the mechanisms of action of different types of natural products on aging-induced reproductive disorders. Therefore, we describe the causes associated with reproductive aging and synthesize the mechanisms of different types of natural products against aging-induced reproductive disorders. The article includes the latest findings and trends in relevant research from both in vitro and in vivo experiments, leading to the development of natural medicines for the treatment of reproductive aging that are both low in side effects and fast in efficacy. Natural products exert anti-reproductive disorders effects in males and females through various mechanisms, mainly including antioxidant activity, regulation of the ovarian microenvironment, and improvement of sperm quality. For example, icariin, the main ingredient in Epimedium, can reduce testicular toxicity and alleviate reproductive disorders; both ginseng and Cynomorium songaricum extracts can promote sperm production and improve sperm viability. Among the natural products of animal origin, antlers and oysters have significant ameliorating effects on reproductive disorders. However, there are still limitations in the study of aging-induced reproductive disorders, and the use of natural products in many clinical cases is relatively rare; thus, their safety in humans remains to be examined. Owing to their unique advantages and few side effects, natural products have great potential in the treatment of reproductive aging and are expected to be potential drugs for reducing the incidence of infertility worldwide. The anti-reproductive aging activities of these natural products should be explored more deeply in future studies to develop safer and more effective anti-reproductive aging drugs, thus contributing to improvements in the number and quality of newborns.