The roles and potential mechanisms of traditional Chinese medicine on male infertility

Male infertility (MI) is a multifactorial disease leading to the disorder of male reproductive dysfunctions, which affecting approximately 50% of male partners in infertile couples. Male infertility has become the third most difficult disease in the world, since cardiovascular disease and cancer. Although conventional treatments such as medication, surgical operation, and advanced techniques have helped many male with infertility cause pregnancy in their female partners, effectiveness is not satisfactory and associated with adverse effects. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has been taken for clinical application to improve male infertility for thousands of years in China. The pharmacological mechanism of TCM has also been widely studied. In this study, we will summarize the effective TCM in treating MI, the clinical evaluations of TCM in treating MI, and the molecular mechanisms of TCM effects. Additionally, we will point out the limitations of current research and the challenges faced by the modernization of TCM.