The effect of Eurycoma longifolia on the regulation of reproductive hormones in young males

• Main Authors: Chan, Kai Quin, Stewart, Claire, Chester, Neil, Hamzah, Sareena Hanim, Yusof, Ashril
• Format: Article
• Published: Wiley 2021
• Subjects: RC1200 Sports Medicine
• Online Access: http://eprints.um.edu.my/28147/

Eurycoma longifolia supplementation increases testosterone levels in humans via activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis and/or the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis mainly in older adults and nonhealthy populations. This study aimed to assess the impact of Eurycoma longifolia on the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axes in healthy young males since this might promote functional testosterone prowess. Thirty-two males (24.4 +/- 4.7 years; 1.74 +/- 0.07 m; 73.7 +/- 8.4 kg) in a placebo-controlled, double-blind, matched-paired study received 600 mg/day Eurycoma longifolia or placebo for two weeks. Blood analysis using repeated measures analysis of variance showed significant interaction and time effects for testosterone (F-1,F-30 = 9.04, p = .005), free testosterone (F-1,F-30 = 7.13, p = .012) and estradiol (F-1,F-30 = 8.07, p = .008) levels in favour of the treatment group, while luteinising hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone and sexual hormone-binding globulin did not. The lack of changes in luteinising hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone levels suggests that a lesser role played by Eurycoma longifolia in activating the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis in the young adults. The raised testosterone level may be due to a greater rate of hormone production via the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. The supplementation of Eurycoma longifolia for two weeks demonstrates steroidogenic effects on young men were dose-related. Consequently, the raised testosterone following Eurycoma longifolia supplementations could benefit muscle and strength gain in young adults.