Efficacy and Safety of a Mixed Extract of Fenugreek Seed and Lespedeza Cuneata in the Treatment of Testosterone Deficiency Syndrome: A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial

Testosterone deficiency syndrome (TDS) is "a clinical and biochemical syndrome associated with advancing age and characterized by symptoms of a deficiency in serum testosterone levels". TDS can cause a significant decrease in quality of life and has many adverse effects on multiple organs in terms of men's health. In addition to the detrimental effect of sexual functions, men with TDS tend to have increased waist circumference, hyperglycemia, hypertriglyceridemia, hyperlipidemia, and a history of diabetes. TDS can be treated with testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). TRT should be initiated on an individualized basis in TDS patients who have clinical signs and symptoms of androgen deficiency if the benefits of treatment appear to outweigh the potential risks and only after thorough discussion with the patient. Different preparations of testosterone are currently available. The majority of clinical data shows that TRT is very safe and effective. There is currently no evidence that testosterone treatment increases the risk of prostate disease using modern guidelines. However, the fear of prostate cancer and the risk of erythrocytosis may represent the main limitations of TRT in aging men. Additionally, TRT cannot improve the function of Leydig cells (which produce testosterone), but only compensate for the lack of testosterone.

Limited research has focused on the use of herbal medicine to improve male health, particularly to increase testosterone levels and support healthy sexual function. Despite the increasing availability of effective conventional medical treatments, plant-derived and herbo-mineral remedies continue to be a popular alternative for men seeking to improve sexual function.

Trigonella foenum-graecum Linn, also known as fenugreek, is an aromatic annual plant that reaches heights of 30-60 cm. It is found wild in Kashmir, Punjab, and the upper Gangetic plains, and is widely cultivated in many parts of India. It is used internally as an abortifacient, antispasmodic, appetite stimulant, blood cleanser, laxative, tonic, and expectorant. It is also indicated externally for abscesses, boils, galactagogue, and for its demulcent and emollient properties. The seeds contain diosgenin along with three minor steroidal saponins (similagenin, savsalpogenin, and yuccagenin), choline, trimethylamine (a sex hormone in frogs), vitamins (A, B2, B6, B12, D), lysine, l-tryptophan rich proteins, mucilaginous fiber, coumarin, fenugreekine, nicotinic acid, sapogenins, phytic acid, scopletin and trigonelline, calcium, iron, β-carotene, and other vitamins and essential oils.

Previous studies have suggested that Trigonella foenum-graecum seed extract has positive effects on sexual health and quality of life, and that it demonstrates anabolic and androgenic activity in young patients. It is believed that these positive effects are due to increased testosterone, including free testosterone, and that Trigonella foenum-graecum seed extract may be an effective treatment for the symptoms of possible testosterone deficiency in aging men. The basis for this androgenic activity may be due to the fact that Trigonella foenum-graecum seeds contain soluble steroidal saponins, specifically furostanol glycosides, which are responsible for complexing cholesterol in the cell membrane. Other studies have found that Trigonella foenum-graecum increases testosterone and free testosterone, suggesting that it may be an incomplete 5-alpha reductase and aromatase inhibitor. The investigators investigated the efficacy and safety of a mixed extract of Trigonella foenum-graecum seed and lespedeza cuneata (TFG) for the treatment of TDS.