| Abstract | Ferula hermonis has been widely used as a sexual
tonic in the Middle East. It is reputed to enhance
erectile function especially in diabetic
patients, although no scientific verification was
found. This study aimed to investigate the clinical
and biochemical effects of Ferula hermonis
on diabetic patients with erectile dysfunction.
Materials and Methods: Capsules containing
the dried alcoholic extract of Ferula hermonis
were administered to sixty diabetic patients divided
into three groups; group one (control
group) consisted of twenty patients received
placebo capsules, group two consisted of twenty
patients received capsules containing 500 mg of
the dried alcohol extract of Ferula hermonis
and group three consisted of twenty patients received
capsules containing 1000 mg of the
dried alcohol extract of Ferula hermonis. Patients
were examined both before and after eight
weeks of dried extract intake for these biochemical
tests; total testosterone, estrogen, total
cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-C, HDL-C,
blood glucose, body weight, ALT, and AST and
for erectile function tests; international index of
erectile function (IIEF-5), Rigiscan, and duplex
ultrasound.
Results: In comparison to control group, the
treated groups showed a statistically significant
increase in total testosterone (47%, and
145.66% increase for group two and group
three respectively, P<0.05), a statistically significant
increase in estrogen (52.2%, and
125.66% increase for group two and group
three respectively, P<0.05), a statistically significant
increase in IIEF-5 (21.48%, and 48.4%
increase for group two and group three respectively,
P<0.05), and a statistically significant
increase in Rigiscan parameters (P<0.05).
Lipid profile showed a statistically significant
decrease only at high dose (group three) in total
cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL (23.3%,
22.69%, and 26.52% respectively, P<0.05) but
no statistically significant difference was found
in HDL (P>0.05). Other biochemical parameters
and duplex ultrasound showed no statistically
significant difference (P>0.05).
Conclusions: Ferula hermonis has shown to be
of a beneficial effect on diabetic men with erectile dysfunction through increasing serum testosterone
and through improving lipoproteins
abnormalities associated with Diabetes mellitus.
The current study concluded the beneficial
effects of Ferula hermonis in diabetic patients
with erectile dysfunction. Ferula hermonis
could be used as a natural alternative remedy.
However, further studies of longer duration and
larger numbers of patients are required. In addition,
active ingredients should be separated
and tested for their specific activities and toxicities
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