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Pharmaceuticals
Volume 19
Issue 1
10.3390/ph19010012
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This is an early access version, the complete PDF, HTML, and XML versions will be available soon.
Review

A Review of Traditional Chinese Medicine Formulations and Natural Active Ingredients with Therapeutic Potential for Male Infertility Targeting Oxidative Stress

by
Zhen Peng
1,
Ning Zhang
1,
Fengting Yin
1,
Ling Kong
1,
Hui Sun
1,*,
Chang Liu
1,
Yaning Wu
1,
Chenyue Wang
1 and
Xijun Wang
1,2,*
1
State key Laboratory of Integration and Innovation of Classic Formula and Modern Chinese Medicine, National Chinmedomics Research Center, National TCM Key Laboratory of Serum Pharmacochemistry, Metabolomics Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Heping Road 24, Harbin 150040, China
2
State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Avenida Wai Long, Taipa, Macau
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Pharmaceuticals 2026, 19(1), 12; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph19010012 (registering DOI)
Submission received: 27 November 2025 / Revised: 16 December 2025 / Accepted: 18 December 2025 / Published: 20 December 2025
(This article belongs to the Topic From Food to Medicine: Applications of Natural Bioactive Compounds)
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Abstract

Male infertility has emerged as a significant global concern, with male factors accounting for approximately 30% to 50% of infertility cases. Oxidative stress is recognized as the primary pathological mechanism affecting sperm structure and function. The development and application of chemically synthesized drug therapies are limited by lengthy research and development processes and significant adverse effects. Conversely, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) compounds offer promising clinical applications for enhancing male reproductive function, attributed to their distinctive advantages of multi-target coordination and holistic regulation. This paper systematically reviews classical TCM compounds, such as those that tonify the kidney and benefit essence, warm and invigorate kidney Yang, and replenish Qi and nourish blood. It also examines the molecular mechanisms of active natural ingredients, including flavonoids, polyphenols, terpenes, alkaloids, and polysaccharides. These compounds improve male fertility by modulating oxidative stress-related signaling pathways. Furthermore, this review anticipates future research trajectories and potential applications within this domain, with the objective of establishing a theoretical basis for the clinical treatment of idiopathic male infertility and the development of novel pharmacological interventions.
Keywords: traditional Chinese medicine compound; natural active ingredients; male reproductive function; oxidative stress; molecular mechanism traditional Chinese medicine compound; natural active ingredients; male reproductive function; oxidative stress; molecular mechanism
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MDPI and ACS Style

Peng, Z.; Zhang, N.; Yin, F.; Kong, L.; Sun, H.; Liu, C.; Wu, Y.; Wang, C.; Wang, X. A Review of Traditional Chinese Medicine Formulations and Natural Active Ingredients with Therapeutic Potential for Male Infertility Targeting Oxidative Stress. Pharmaceuticals 2026, 19, 12. https://doi.org/10.3390/ph19010012

AMA Style

Peng Z, Zhang N, Yin F, Kong L, Sun H, Liu C, Wu Y, Wang C, Wang X. A Review of Traditional Chinese Medicine Formulations and Natural Active Ingredients with Therapeutic Potential for Male Infertility Targeting Oxidative Stress. Pharmaceuticals. 2026; 19(1):12. https://doi.org/10.3390/ph19010012

Chicago/Turabian Style

Peng, Zhen, Ning Zhang, Fengting Yin, Ling Kong, Hui Sun, Chang Liu, Yaning Wu, Chenyue Wang, and Xijun Wang. 2026. "A Review of Traditional Chinese Medicine Formulations and Natural Active Ingredients with Therapeutic Potential for Male Infertility Targeting Oxidative Stress" Pharmaceuticals 19, no. 1: 12. https://doi.org/10.3390/ph19010012

APA Style

Peng, Z., Zhang, N., Yin, F., Kong, L., Sun, H., Liu, C., Wu, Y., Wang, C., & Wang, X. (2026). A Review of Traditional Chinese Medicine Formulations and Natural Active Ingredients with Therapeutic Potential for Male Infertility Targeting Oxidative Stress. Pharmaceuticals, 19(1), 12. https://doi.org/10.3390/ph19010012

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