Abstract

A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW ON MEDICINAL PLANTS AND EMERGING THERAPIES FOR DIABETES INDUCED SEXUAL DYSFUNCTION

Abubakar Badeghar* and Prakash R. Biradar

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus, a chronic metabolic disorder, profoundly impacts reproductive health, contributing to complications such as sexual dysfunction. This review evaluates the efficacy of medicinal plants and emerging therapies in addressing diabetes-induced sexual dysfunction. Prominent botanicals, including Tribulus terrestris, Withania somnifera, and Panax ginseng, exhibit therapeutic potential by enhancing testosterone synthesis, mitigating oxidative stress, and improving vascular function. Rooted in traditional medicine, these plants offer complementary strategies to conventional pharmacological treatments. Beyond herbal interventions, the review highlights innovative approaches such as microbiome modulation, regenerative therapies using Human Urine-Derived Stem Cells (HUDSCs), and molecular interventions like pancreatic kininogenase to restore physiological balance. These multidisciplinary strategies aim to address the multifactorial pathogenesis of diabetes-related sexual dysfunction, encompassing hormonal deficits, endothelial damage, and neural impairment. By synthesizing current evidence, this review underscores the integrative potential of natural and novel therapies in improving reproductive outcomes for diabetic patients, advocating for further clinical validation to optimize safety and efficacy.

Keywords: Diabetes mellitus, Sexual dysfunction, Medicinal plants, Regenerative medicine, Oxidative stress, Microbiome therapy.