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- Tongkat Ali (Eurycoma longifolia)
- Hypogonadism
- Testosterone
- Erectile Dysfunction
| Date:
11-15-2011 | HC#
071165-436
|
Re: Tongkat Ali Aqueous Extract Shows Promise in Study for Men Who Are Symptomatic of Hypogonadism Due to Low Testosterone
Tambi
MIBM, Imran MK, Henkel RR. Standardised water-soluble extract of Eurycoma longifolia, Tongkat ali, as
testosterone booster for managing men with late-onset hypogonadism? Andrologia. June 15, 2011; [epub ahead
of print]. doi: 10.1111/j.1439-0272.2011.01168.x.
Tongkat
ali (Eurycoma longifolia) is used as
an adaptogen in Malaysia and other regions of Southeast Asia. Water extracts of
the roots are also used traditionally for energy, vitality, and as an
aphrodisiac. Eurypeptides, polypeptides found in the root aqueous extract, have
been shown to stimulate the production of androgens, and numerous in vivo
studies support the aphrodisiac and testosterone-stimulating effects of the
root extract. However, research into the effects of Tongkat ali root extract on
humans is limited. Thus, this clinical study investigates for the first time whether
a water-soluble extract of Tongkat ali can improve testosterone output and
symptoms in men with late-onset hypogonadism (LOH).
Patients
with hypogonadism (an abnormal decrease in testosterone production) and LOH
were recruited from the Wellman Clinic at Damai Service Hospital in Kuala
Lumpur, Malaysia and were classified using the Aging Males' Symptoms (AMS) rating
scale in addition to serum testosterone levels. The AMS score consisted of the ratings
of 17-26 for no complaints, 27-36 for few complaints, 37-49 for mild complaints,
and 50 or above for severe complaints. Similarly, serum testosterone levels
were categorized as a normal range of 6-30.0 nM or a low range of <5.99 nM.
Treatments
consisted of 1 month of 2 capsules per day containing 100 mg each of
standardized, water-soluble patented extract of Tongkat ali. Extract material
was provided by Phytes Bioteks, Biotropics Malaysia Berhad, Malaysia. After 1
month, AMS scores and serum testosterone levels were again obtained from those
patients that completed the full course of treatment.
Of
the original 320 patients that qualified for the study, 64 Malaysian, 9 Indian,
and 3 Chinese (n=76) patients (age range=28-70 years; median age=51), completed
the study. No differences in responses were detected based on ethnicity. Significant
correlations between age, AMS scores, and serum testosterone levels were
observed both before and after the study with a significant correlation noted between
AMS score and testosterone (P<0.0001). The AMS score significantly decreased
after 1 month of treatment from 38.05 ± 9.25 to 23.67 ± 5.11 (P<0.0001).
Also, the serum testosterone levels increased from 5.66 ± 1.52 nM to 8.31 ±
2.47 nM (P<0.0001). Furthermore, 8 patients reported no complaints in the
AMS score prior to treatment, while 54 reported no complaints after 1 month of
treatment (P<0.0001). Similarly, normal serum testosterone levels were only
observed in 27 patients at baseline as opposed to 69 (90.8%) patients after 1
month of treatment (P<0.0001).
The
Tongkat ali extract used in this study did improve LOH as measured by a
significant decrease in AMS score and increase in serum testosterone levels. It
is suggested that the eurypeptides found previously in Tongkat ali root extract
may contribute to the activity observed. Despite the results presented in this
study, no placebo or parallel control group was used, and no evidence was
provided of the standardization or eurypeptide content of the extract.
Additionally, while the root extract is used traditionally and in animal
studies, no information is given about which part of Tongkat ali was extracted
and provided for this study. There was also no mention about possible or
reported adverse effects associated with the use of preparations of this plant.
Despite
these weaknesses, this study demonstrates that Tongkat ali is potentially a useful
herbal treatment for those suffering from LOH. The use of this plant may be
especially practical in developing countries such as Malaysia, where it is
widely available and may be more affordable than other medications. As this
study is an initial investigation into the potential therapeutic activity of
Tongkat ali in treating LOH, it supports future rigorous clinical trials of
well-characterized extracts of this plant.
—Amy C. Keller,
PhD
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