The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of LN18178 on improving sperm virility.
A total of 40 Males aged between 25-45 years will be included in the study. Assessment of inclusion and exclusion criteria will be done based on clinical and laboratory investigations. The eligible subjects will be randomized as per the computer-generated randomization list. The subjects will be assigned to either LN18178 - 400 mg or placebo arms at 1:1 ratio. The subjects will be instructed to take one capsule daily in the morning after breakfast for 12 weeks. A part from primary and secondary outcomes, the study will also record the vital signs and adverse events to evaluate the herbal composition safety and tolerability. The safety assessment of the LN18178 will also include routine laboratory investigations on blood, urine and clinical chemistry at screening and the final visit of the intervention.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
40
Change in motility (% Motile Sperms) using manual microscopic examination.
Assessed through manual microscopic examination according to WHO guidelines. The percentage of motile sperm (progressive + non-progressive) will be calculated. A higher percentage reflects improved reproductive function.
Time frame: Screening, weeks 8, 12 & 16
Change in semen Concentration (millions/mL) using manual microscopic examination.
Measured manually using a Makler counting chamber. Concentration is expressed in millions of sperm per milliliter. Higher concentration indicates better fertility potential.
Time frame: Screening, weeks 8, 12 & 16
Change from baseline to the end of the study period in Morphology of sperm (% normal forms) using manual microscopic examination.
Assessed through microscopic evaluation following WHO criteria. The percentage of sperm with normal morphology will be reported. Greater % indicates enhanced fertility potential.
Time frame: Screening, weeks 8, 12 & 16
Change from baseline to the end of the study period in Sperm DNA fragmentation Index (% DFI) using Sperm Chromatin Dispersion method.
Assessed using the SCD (Sperm Chromatin Dispersion) method. The DNA Fragmentation Index (DFI) represents the percentage of sperm with fragmented DNA. A decrease in DFI is associated with improved fertilization potential.
Time frame: Screening, Weeks 12 & 16
Change from baseline to the end of the study period in International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-15)
A validated, self-administered questionnaire consisting of 15 items covering erectile function, orgasmic function, sexual desire, intercourse satisfaction, and overall satisfaction. Each item scored from 0 to 5; total score ranges from 0 to 75. Higher scores indicate better sexual function.
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Time frame: Baseline (day 1), Weeks 4, 8,12 & 16
Change from baseline to the end of the study period in Quality of life short form (SF-36)
The 36-Item Short Form (SF-36) is a self-reported questionnaire used to assess overall health and quality of life. It consists of 8 domains, each scored on a scale from 0 to 100. Higher scores indicate a better quality of life and improved health status.
Time frame: Baseline (day 1), Weeks 4, 8,12 & 16
Change from baseline to the end of the study period in Serum hormonal biomarkers: Total Testosterone (ng/mL) using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay method
Testosterone is a male sex hormone produced by the gonadal tissue. An increase in both total testosterone levels enhances sexual drive and supports sperm production
Time frame: Baseline (day 1), Weeks 12 &16
Change from baseline to the end of the study period in Serum hormonal biomarkers: Free Testosterone (pg/mL) using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay method
Testosterone is a male sex hormone produced by the gonadal tissue. An increase in both free testosterone levels enhances sexual drive and supports sperm production
Time frame: Baseline (day 1), Weeks 12 &16
Change from baseline to the end of the study period in Serum hormonal biomarkers: Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (mIU/mL) using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay method
Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), produced by the pituitary gland, plays a key role in supporting spermatogenesis. Any deviation from normal FSH levels can disrupt sperm production and affect sexual development.
Time frame: Baseline (day 1), Weeks 12 &16
Change from baseline to the end of the study period in Serum hormonal biomarkers: Luteinizing Hormone (mIU/mL) using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay method
Luteinizing hormone (LH), released by the pituitary gland, stimulates testosterone production. Maintenance LH levels within the normal range is important for healthy sexual function.
Time frame: Baseline (day 1), Weeks 12 &16
Change from baseline to the end of the study period in Serum hormonal biomarkers: Inhibin B (pg/ml) using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay method
Inhibin B is produced exclusively by the testes and plays a key role in regulating FSH secretion from the pituitary gland. Improvement in Inhibin B is an indication of healthy testicular volume and an adequate sperm count.
Time frame: Baseline (day 1), Weeks 12 &16
Change from baseline to the end of the study period in Semen oxidative stress markers MDA: Malondialdehyde (ng/mL) using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay method
MDA, an end product of lipid peroxidation. High lipid peroxidation as represented by MDA levels may cause changes in the sperm and diminish fertility. It is reported that the high MDA production in the male with low fertilization rates. Reduction of MDA by using antioxidant therapy was correlated with the improvement of fertilization rates. A decrease high MDA level of semen favours spermatogenesis.
Time frame: Baseline (day 1), Weeks 12 &16
Change from baseline to the end of the study period in Semen inflammation markers IL-6: Interleukin 6 (pg/mL) using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay method
IL-6 is a pro-inflammatory cytokine and high levels of IL-6 in seminal plasma are often linked to decreased sperm motility. Increased IL-6 levels in seminal plasma indicate inflammation in male reproductive tract, that affects sperm quality.
Time frame: Baseline (day 1), Weeks 12 &16
Change from baseline to the end of the study period in Semen oxidative stress markers GSH: Glutathione (µM) using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay method
GSH is a powerful antioxidant that neutralizes harmful free radicals (reactive oxygen species or ROS) within sperm cells. GSH helps maintain the integrity of sperm membranes, including the plasma membrane, which is essential for sperm motility and fertilization. Sperm motility is positively correlated with seminal reduced glutathione (GSH) levels. GSH deficiency has been shown to lead to the instability of the spermatozoa midpiece, thus resulting in defective motility and morphology of the spermatozoa.
Time frame: Baseline (day 1), Weeks 12 &16
Change from baseline to the end of the study period in Semen oxidative stress markers TAC: Total Antioxidant Capacity (mM) using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay method
Low seminal plasma antioxidants have been found to be implicated in reducing sperm concentration, motility and morphology. Total antioxidant capacity (TAC) has shown to be strongly correlated with semen quality and male infertility.
Time frame: Baseline (day 1), Weeks 12 &16
Change from baseline to the end of the study period in Semen inflammation markers TNF-alpha: Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha (pg/mL) using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay method
TNF-alpha, a cytokine involved in inflammation, can negatively impact sperm quality. Studies indicate that elevated TNF-alpha levels in seminal fluid are associated with reduced sperm motility, viability, and increased DNA damage. TNF-alpha can trigger programmed cell death (apoptosis) in sperm cells, leading to a reduction in sperm count.
Time frame: Baseline (day 1), Weeks 12 &16