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Cited by 92Ginger and Zingiberaceae researchHormonal and reproductive studiesSperm and Testicular Function

Ginger and Testosterone

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Banihani, Saleem Ali·2018·Biomolecules
DOI 10.3390/biom8040119PMC PMC6316093
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Abstract

Enhancing and protecting testosterone production is one target for many scientists because of its crucial role as a primary sex hormone in males. Several in vivo trials have utilized different dietary supplements and medicinal plants to enhance testosterone production in males. Since 1991, various in-vivo, as well as basic research studies, have discovered a link between ginger (Zingiber officinale) and testosterone. However, such a link has not yet been collectively reviewed. This review systematically discusses and summarizes the effect of ginger and ginger extracts on testosterone. To achieve this contribution, we searched the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases for English language articles (full texts or abstracts) from November 1991 through August 2018 using the keywords “ginger” and “Zingiber officinale” versus “testosterone”. Additionally, the references from related published articles were also reviewed, only if relevant. In conclusion, the mainstream of research that links ginger to testosterone demonstrated that ginger supplementation, particularly in oxidative stress conditions, enhances testosterone production in males. The mechanisms by which this occurs mainly by enhancing luteinizing hormone (LH) production, increasing the level of cholesterol in the testes, reducing oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation in the testes, enhancing the activity of the antioxidant enzymes, normalizing blood glucose, increasing blood flow in the testes, increasing testicular weight, and recycling testosterone receptors. However, the effect of ginger on testosterone is not yet confirmed in humans. Therefore, clinical studies in this context of research are imperative.

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Authors
Banihani, S. A.
Affiliations
Jordan University of Science and Technology (JO)
Corresponding author
Banihani, Saleem Ali
ORCID
Banihani, Saleem Ali
Venue
Biomolecules
Publisher
MDPI AG
Published
2018-10-22
Volume
8
Issue
4
Pages
119
ISSN
2218-273X (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.3390/biom8040119
PMC
PMC6316093
OpenAlex
W2896086484
Cited by
92
References
1
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 7 · 2023: 18 · 2022: 14 · 2021: 10 · 2020: 24 · 2019: 8 · 2018: 2
FWCI
2.14
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Biomolecules (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, other-oa)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Funders
Jordan University of Science and Technology
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics › Pharmacology › Ginger and Zingiberaceae research
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism › Hormonal and reproductive studies
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Reproductive Medicine › Sperm and Testicular Function
Keywords
ginger, testosterone, testosterone production, androgens, dietary supplements, medicinal plants, oxidative stress, luteinizing hormone, cholesterol, lipid peroxidation, antioxidant enzymes, blood glucose, testicular blood flow, testicular weight, testosterone receptor
MeSH terms
Animals, Humans, Plant Extracts, Testosterone, Zingiber officinale

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