Comparison of the effect of Ceratonia siliqua L. fruit oral capsule and vitamin E on semen parameters in men with idiopathic infertility: a triple-blind randomized controlled clinical trial

Abstract

Abstract Objectives To compare the effect of oral Ceratonia siliqua (Carob) and vitamin E on sperm parameters in idiopathic infertile men. Methods In this triple-blind randomized controlled trial study, fifty 20–45-year-old infertile men with idiopathic abnormal sperm parameters were selected among men referring to the infertility clinic of Al Zahra-Iran Hospital, and randomly allocated into two groups. The first group received Carob capsules, 500 mg, and the second group received vitamin E capsules three times a day for 90 days. The primary outcomes of this study were the sperm parameters (count, motility, and morphology). Results After the intervention, the mean of sperm count increased from 49.08 to 60.22 million/mL in the carob vs. it increased from 47.64 to 58.88 million/mL in the vitamin E group (adjusted mean difference (aMD)=1.124 million/ml, 95% CI: −12.892 to 15.141). The mean sperm motility increased from 45.90 to 52.90% in the carob group but decreased from 55.23 to 38.10% in the vitamin E group (aMD=17.22%, 95% CI: 8.53 to 25.92). The mean sperms with normal morphology increased from 11.52 to 67.05% in the carob, and from 10.20 to 77.47% in the vitamin E group (aMD=−10.88%, 95% CI: −22.30 to 0.536). There was no serious side effect during the treatment course. Conclusions Taking 1,500 mg oral dose of Carob capsule per day for 90 days improved sperm motility but had no significant effect for improving morphology and count comparing to vitamin E capsule. Highlights – In traditional medicine, Carob has been used in the treatment of male infertility. – A human study on the effect of Carob on idiopathic male infertility has not been conducted. – Taking 1,500 mg oral dose of Carob capsule per day for 90 days improved sperm motility but had no significant effect for improving morphology and count comparing to vitamin E capsule.