This post is not limited only to the harmful side effects of Indian rosewood fruits on male fertility. There are several other health benefits of this plant, especially its fruits. Let us briefly look into the ways Indian rosewood affects male fertility negatively before we consider other interesting things.
Side effects of Indian rosewood fruits on male fertility
Have an anti-fertility effect: A study reveals that Dalbergia sissoo extract has an anti-spermatogenic effect detrimental to the production of sperm. Another study on male mice reveals that libido was not affected rather there was reversible suppression of spermatogenesis and fertility. [ 14, 15 ]
Bottom line
Dalbergia sissoo extract may be useful for birth control since the suppression of the male ability to produce sperm was reversible and no toxic impact was observed. [16].
Although there are undeniable side effects of Indian rosewood fruits on male fertility, the health benefits of Dalbergia Sissoo (Indian rosewood) are popular among herbal medicine practitioners, known for its anti-inflammatory effects, and useful in treating osteoporosis-related conditions. A recent study suggests that this plant is awesomely enriched with antioxidants that combat free radicals and boosts our body’s immunity. Below is a brief overview of this awesome plant.
Overview of Indian Rosewood
Dalbergia sissoo can grow into a medium or large tree.
Height: up to 25 meters vertical with a grey-yellow trunk,
Leaf structure: It leaves are leathery in shape.
Flower: It’s a flowering plant with fragrant flowers that develops from white to pink.
Pods: The pods have many shapes such as oblong, flat, and thin, strap-like with a length of 4-8 cm.
Seeds structure: This plant produces seeds that have the shape of a kidney of about 4 to 5 millimeters.
Root structure: It has a long tap root that supports its growth into a huge plant, including other shallow roots that produce suckers.
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Pharmaceutical Uses
In the United States, plants like Dalbergia Sissoo (Indian rosewood) are valued due to their properties, especially in the synthesis of chemicals that are used by pharmaceuticals industries in making antimicrobial, antiparasitic, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, Osteogenic, dermatological, gastrointestinal, and reproductive drugs.
Phytochemicals
Phytochemical screening of the presence of Dalbergia Sissoo reveals the presence of the following phytochemical compounds. [ 1, 2]
- Flavanoids
- Alkaloids
- Saponin.
- Phytosterols.
- Steroids
- Tannin
Common Name
Dalbergia Sissoo (Indian rosewood) is a plant known by different names and by different people, below is the common name of Dalbergia Sissoo.
Botanical name: Dalbergia Sissoo
English name: Indian Rosewood, Bombay Blackwood.
French: Ebenier Juane.
Arabic name: Sasam, Sarsoa.
Hindi: Shisham, sissu.
Indonesia: du Khaek, Pradu Khack.
Persian: Jag.
Sanskrit: Shinshapa, Aguru.
Spanish name: Sisu.
Countries Found
Dalbergia Sissoo is found in many countries such as Pakistan, India, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Persia, Iraq, Palestine, India, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Cyprus, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Mauritius, Nigeria, Sudan, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Tanzania and the United States of America.
Economic Importance
What is the economic importance of Indian Rosewood? Dalbergia Sissoo is what the Indians call shisham. Below are some notable economic benefits of this plant.
- Making plywood used for building boats
- It is a source of fuel for cooking food
- A source of furniture used in making wooden doors and windows.
- A vital ingredient for herbal, modern medicines.
Uses
Dalbergia Sissoo is used by most pharmaceutical industries to make drugs for Sore throats, dysentery, syphilis, bronchitis, inflammatory pains, infections, hernia, skin diseases, gonorrhea, and more.[2b]
Health Benefits Of Dalbergia Sissoo
Anti-inflammatory, analgesic effects
- Help relieves inflammatory pain
The anti-inflammatory property of Dalbergia sissoo is not questionable, according to a study on Wistar rats, the anti-inflammatory effect shows to be more potent with an increased dose of the ethanolic extract of Dalbergia sissoo bark when it was administered.
Another old study reveals the presence of a special chemical compound called chalcone which is shown to have analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects.[3]
Ani-diabetic effect
- May lower blood sugar level
A Study in 2016 reveals that extracts from Dalbergia sissoo leaves and bark possess anti-diabetic effects and hence can help treat diabetes [4]. An old study also suggests that the ethanolic extract of Dalbergia sissoo leaves have a hypoglycemic effect when analyzed in alloxanized diabetic rat. [5]
Dermatological impacts
- Useful in treating skin disease
Promotes radiant skin and may help in treating skin ailments such as hypopigmentation diseases. (e.g vitiligo).
According to a study on the cytotoxicity and in vitro melanogenic activity on the bark of Dalbergia sissoo, the bark extract was shown to stimulate melanogenesis at dosage suggesting that conditions like vitiligo can be treated [6]. But more research is needed to affirm this claim.
Osteogenic effects
- Help in treating bone-related conditions
Both the leaf and bark extract have been shown to have an osteogenic impact — a condition where bone formation (regrowth) is triggered [7, 8]. A study on Rats to determine the skeletal effect of the leaves and pod extracts from Dalbergia sissoo indicated osteoprotective effects resulting a bone formation and expression of osteogenic genes in the femur. [9]
Summary
Leaves and pods extract from Dalbergia sissoo possess bone formation properties and could be useful for treating osteoporosis and preventing bone loss triggered by estrogen deficiency.
Weight Management
- Weight Loss
Research shows that Dalbergia sissoo tea may suppress appetite and help in weight management. Make a tea with the leaf or bark of Indian rosewood and drink it anytime you want, it can help reduce your appetite, which is helpful if you are looking for a way to lose weight.
Antimicrobial effect
- Helpful in treating bacterial infections.
The extract of this plant has shown to have antibacterial properties having been used in traditional medicine folk to treat bacterial-related infections such as (Staphylococcus aureus), and more. [10, 11 ]
Antioxidant
- May slow down aging.
Research shows that this plant contains phytochemical compounds that may help boost the body’s defense system.
A study to determine the antioxidant effect of Dalbergia sissoo’s leaves, pod, and root extracts shows a powerful scavenging action against free radicals.[ 12, 13 ]
Oil Extracts
Herbal extracts: Shimshapa (Indian rosewood) herbal extracts can be from the root, leaf, pod, or Stem. It is known for its powerful medicinal uses in the manufacturing of certain drugs such as Osteogenic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-diabetic drugs.
Essential oil extracts of rosewood are useful in treating skin diseases. It can serve as a lymphatic tonic used in treating skin-related ailments such as eczema may it may also help curb stretch marks, wrinkles, eczema, acne, and others. An unconfirmed study also reveals that extracts from this plant may be used in treating vitiligo.
Side effects
Leaf extracts have anti-spermatogenic properties — can suppress the production of sperm in males while libido levels remain unaffected. A study supporting this reveals that leaf or bark extracts of Dalbergia sissoo show an anti-fertility effect on male rats.[14, 15, 16]
Contraindicated in pregnancy — leaf extract of rosewood is contraindicated in pregnancy and hence should be avoided during this period. In traditional medicine practices, juice extract of this plant could prevent conception and hence may have harmful effects on pregnancy.
Conclusion
Dalbergia Sissoo (Indian rosewood) is popular among herbal medicine practitioners. It is known for its anti-inflammatory, and analgesic effects. It possesses antioxidant property that fights free radicals, Its Osteogenic property helps in treating osteoporosis-related conditions. However, due to its anti-infertility effects, this plant has been shown to suppress sperm production in males.
JC is passionate about finding the impact of foods (feeding habits) on human fertility and reproductive health and a way to improve fertility.
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