Review

Wuzi Yanzong prescription (五子衍宗丸) from Traditional Chinese Medicine for male infertility: a narrative review

  • Zhimin CHEN ,
  • Mingyue AO ,
  • Yujiao LIAO ,
  • Lingying YU ,
  • Zhuo YANG ,
  • Lin HU ,
  • Wenbing LI ,
  • Changjiang HU ,
  • Yongxiang GAO
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  • 1 Department of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China
    2 Department of Pharmacy, Chengdu Women’s & Children’s Central Hospital, Chengdu 610074, China
    3 Institute of Qinghai-tibetan Plateau, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu 610041, China

Received date: 2021-11-19

  Accepted date: 2022-03-17

  Online published: 2023-03-14

Supported by

National Natural Science Foundation of China: Study on the Mechanism of “Stir-frying with Salt-water Into the Kidney, Kidney Governing Reproduction” Based on Composition of Wuzi Yanzong Wan Before and After Salted(81773899);Fellowship of China Postdoctoral Science Foundation: Study on the Material Basis and Mechanism of Huangsi Yujin Vinegar for “Soothing the Liver and Relieving Pain”(2020M673567XB);Key R & D projects of Science & Technology Department of Sichuan Province: National Intangible Cultural Heritage-Protection, Inheritance and Development of Sichuan Traditional Chinese Medicine Processing Skills(2020YFS0359);Xinglin Scholar Research Premotion Project of Chengdu University of TCM: Research on the Scientific Connotation of Wuzi Yanzong Pill Processing Efficiency Enhancement Based on “Composition Target Path”(BSH2019026);Open Research Fund of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Key Laboratory of Systematic Research of Distinctive Chinese Medicine Resources in Southwest China: Study on the Scientific Connotation of Wuzi Yanzong Pill Processing(2020BSH012)

Abstract

Wuzi Yanzong prescription (WYP), as a classical prescription for male infertility with kidney essence deficiency, is composed of Gouqizi (Fructus Lycii), Tusizi (Semen Cuscutae), Wuweizi (Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis), Fupenzi (Fructus Rubi Chingii) and Cheqianzi (Semen Plantaginis). It has been used for hundreds of years in the treatment of male infertility, known as “the first prescription of ancient and modern seeds”, with convincing clinical evidence. At present, more than 100 chemical compounds have been isolated from WYP, including polysaccharide, fatty acids, flavonoids, phenylpropanoids, organic acids, alkaloids, terpenoids, etc. Pharmacological and clinical studies show that WYP has an obvious effect on reproductive system diseases, especially male infertility, which has a very wide application prospect. It also has effects on the nervous system, inhibiting liver injury, lowering blood sugar and blood lipid, anti-aging, improving immunity, resisting hypoxia and fatigue effects. This study reviewed the chemical constituents, quality control, pharmacology, and clinical application of WYP. There is no doubt about the clinical value of WYP, but its quality control system is not perfect, pharmacological mechanism is not fully explained, and clinical applications need to be reevaluated. Therefore, the follow-up researches should proceed from the theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and clinical applications, further explain the theoretical connotation, reveal the mechanism of action, and provide the basis for the secondary development of classic famous prescriptions. In addition, WYP is mostly used in combination with western medicines besides being used alone. Whether it can improve the efficacy and reduce side effects will also be a meaningful research direction in the future.

Cite this article

Zhimin CHEN , Mingyue AO , Yujiao LIAO , Lingying YU , Zhuo YANG , Lin HU , Wenbing LI , Changjiang HU , Yongxiang GAO . Wuzi Yanzong prescription (五子衍宗丸) from Traditional Chinese Medicine for male infertility: a narrative review[J]. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2023 , 43(2) : 416 -428 . DOI: 10.19852/j.cnki.jtcm.20221214.001

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