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Cited by 47Sperm and Testicular FunctionHormonal and reproductive studiesPhytochemical Studies and Bioactivities

Efficacy of FurosapTM, a novel Trigonella foenum-graecum seed extract, in Enhancing Testosterone Level and Improving Sperm Profile in Male Volunteers

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Maheshwari, Anuj, Verma, Narsingh, Swaroop, Anand, Bagchi, Manashi, Preuss, Harry G., Tiwari, Kiran, Bagchi, Debasis·2017·International Journal of Medical Sciences
DOI 10.7150/ijms.17256PMC PMC5278660
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Abstract

Background: Dietary fiber rich fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) seeds have exhibited cardioprotective, hypolipidemic and other health benefits.Furosap (FS), an innovative, patented, 20% protodioscin-enriched extract was developed in our laboratory from fenugreek seeds.This study examined the free and total testosterone levels, sperm profile and morphology, sexual health, mood and mental alertness, and broad spectrum safety parameters of FS in 50 male volunteers following supplementation over a period of 12 weeks.Methods: Institutional Review Board (IRB) and other regulatory approvals were obtained for our study.This one-arm, open-labelled, multi-center study was conducted in 50 male volunteers (age: 35 to 65 years) over a period of 12 weeks to determine the efficacy of FS (500 mg/day/subject) on free and total testosterone levels, sperm profile, sperm morphology, libido and sexual health, mood and mental alertness, and broad spectrum safety parameters.Results: Free testosterone levels were improved up to 46% in 90% of the study population.85.4% of the study population showed improvements in sperm counts.Sperm morphology improved in 14.6% of volunteers.Majority of the subjects enrolled in the study demonstrated improvements in mental alertness and mood.Furthermore, cardiovascular health and libido were significantly improved.Extensive safety parameters were evaluated which included blood chemistry data.No significant changes were observed in serum lipid function, cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL and LDL levels, hemogram (CBC), hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity.Conclusion: Overall, the results demonstrate that FS, enriched in 20% protodioscin, is safe and effective in attenuating testosterone levels, healthy sperm profile, mental alertness, cardiovascular health and overall performance in human subjects.

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  • In 50 men aged 35-65 with symptomatic hypogonadism treated with 500 mg daily fenugreek seed extract for 12 weeks, free testosterone significantly increased (8 vs. 12 pg/mL, P=0.004), but total testosterone did not significantly increase (405 vs. 436 ng/dL, P=0.16).

    “A study by Maheshwari et al. treated 50 men aged 35–65 diagnosed with symptomatic hypogonadism with 500 mg of daily fenugreek seed extract for 12 weeks. Subjects experienced a significant increase in free testosterone (8 vs. 12 pg/mL, P=0.004), but no significant increase was noted in total testosterone (405 vs. 436 ng/dL, P=0.16), following 12 weeks of treatment (45).”

    From Non-testosterone management of male hypogonadism: an examination of the existing literature (2020) · cites this paper as [45]

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  • Fenugreek treatment resulted in no changes in DHEA levels, fasting blood sugars, liver enzymes, cholesterol levels, or total leukocyte counts.

    “No changes were noted in DHEA levels, fasting blood sugars, liver enzymes, cholesterol levels, or total leukocyte counts (45).”

    From Non-testosterone management of male hypogonadism: an examination of the existing literature (2020) · cites this paper as [45]

    The Results sections report no significant changes in fasting blood sugar, total leukocyte count, liver enzymes (AST, ALT and ALP), or cholesterol after Furosap treatment (pages not provided). They report this finding for DHEA-S, however, not DHEA itself; “no changes” also omits the paper’s statistical qualifier, “no significant changes.” (LLM, conf=0.87)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • Fenugreek treatment was associated with improvements in sperm count and motility after 4, 8, and 12 weeks, and sperm morphology at 8 and 12 weeks.

    “Improvements in sperm count and motility were also noted after 4, 8, and 12 weeks of treatment, with improvements in sperm morphology, noted at 8 and 12 weeks (45).”

    From Non-testosterone management of male hypogonadism: an examination of the existing literature (2020) · cites this paper as [45]

  • The clinical significance of the net benefit of herbal supplements is yet to be determined, with ambiguity regarding long-term safety.

    “Therefore, the clinical significance of this net benefit is yet to be determined, with ambiguity regarding long-term safety.[62][63][64][65][66][67][68][69][70][71][72][73]”

    From A systematic appraisal of emerging alternative therapies in men’s health and wellness (2025) · cites this paper as [63]

    The Conclusions (page unavailable) report benefits and describe the 12-week blood-chemistry findings as showing safety, but do not assess the clinical significance of a net benefit or discuss long-term safety. A search for those qualifications and for adverse-event reporting found no passage that states the attributed claim; the 12-week study does not itself establish a conclusion about long-term safety. (LLM, conf=0.72)

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References 31 · Cited by 47

Research works printed but not linked: 29

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Authors
Maheshwari, A., Verma, N., Swaroop, A., Bagchi, M., Preuss, H. G., Tiwari, K., & Bagchi, D.
Affiliations
  • Babu Banarasi Das University (IN)
  • King George's Medical University (IN)
  • Georgetown University Medical Center (US)
  • University of Houston (US)
Corresponding author
Bagchi, Debasis
ORCID
Venue
International Journal of Medical Sciences
Publisher
Ivyspring International Publisher
Published
2017
Volume
14
Issue
1
Pages
58-66
ISSN
1449-1907 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.7150/ijms.17256
PMC
PMC5278660
OpenAlex
W2576666790
Cited by
47
References
31
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 10 · 2020: 6 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 2 · 2017: 2
FWCI
4.77
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
cc-by-nc
Locations
  • International Journal of Medical Sciences (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Reproductive Medicine › Sperm and Testicular Function
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism › Hormonal and reproductive studies
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Phytochemical Studies and Bioactivities
Keywords
fenugreek seed extract, fenugreek, protodioscin, testosterone, free testosterone, sperm count, sperm morphology, male fertility, sexual desire, sexual health, mood, mental alertness, cardiovascular health, serum lipids, hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, dietary supplementation
MeSH terms
Adult, Affect, Aged, Humans, Leukocyte Count, Male, Middle Aged, Penile Erection, Plant Extracts, Sperm Count, Sperm Motility, Spermatozoa, Testosterone, Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate, Healthy Volunteers

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