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Meta-Analysis
. 2023 Oct 4:14:1211720.
doi: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1211720. eCollection 2023.

Efficacy of L-arginine and Pycnogenol ® in the treatment of male erectile dysfunction: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Yuting Tian  1   2 , Qian Zhou  1   2 , Wen Li  1   2 , Meixi Liu  1   2 , Qing Li  1   2 , Qiu Chen  1
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

Efficacy of L-arginine and Pycnogenol ® in the treatment of male erectile dysfunction: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Yuting Tian et al. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). .

Abstract

Background: The objective of this meta-analysis was to review clinical trials of the combination of Pycnogenol ® and L-arginine (PAL) in the treatment of erectile dysfunction in men and to observe the effect of PAL combined therapy on sexual function in patients with erectile dysfunction (ED), and we hope to provide more choices of drugs for treating patients with ED.

Methods and analysis: The study was constructed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines. We searched seven databases from inception to 15 February 2023, for a comprehensive search of clinical trials using relevant keywords. Continuous variables in this meta-analysis were calculated using the mean difference and 95% confidence interval. All relevant statistical analyses were performed using RevMan v. 5.4 software.

Results: Three studies with 184 patients were included in the present meta-analysis. There were no significant differences in the basic characteristics of the included studies. The results of the current meta-analysis showed that there were significant differences in the international index of erectile function scores (erectile domain), intercourse satisfaction scores, orgasmic function scores, overall satisfaction scores, and sexual desire scores between the combination treatment group and the control group. There was no significant difference in improving the testosterone levels between the two groups.

Conclusion: These results indicate that the combination of PAL may have a significant effect on improving sexual function in patients with mild to moderate ED. This study will provide clinicians with more options for treating patients with ED. More randomized controlled trials are needed in the future to further demonstrate the effect of combination therapy on sexual function in patients with ED.

Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/#myprosperoUnique, Identifier: CRD42023411781.

Keywords: L-arginine; Pycnogenol ®; efficacy; erectile dysfunction; meta-analysis.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The flowchart of the study selection process.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Methodological quality of the included studies (risk of bias).
Figure 3
Figure 3
Methodological quality of the included studies (risk of bias).
Figure 4
Figure 4
(A) IIEF scores (erectile domain). (B) Intercourse satisfaction. (C) Orgasmic function. (D) Overall satisfaction. (E) Sexual desire. (F) Testosterone (T).
Figure 5
Figure 5
Subgroup analysis.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Funnel diagram. (A) IIEF scores (erectile domain). (B) Intercourse satisfaction. (C) Orgasmic function. (D) Overall satisfaction. (E) Sexual desire. (F) Testosterone (T).
Figure 7
Figure 7
Egger’s test. (A) IIEF scores (erectile domain). (B) Intercourse satisfaction. (C) Orgasmic function. (D) Overall satisfaction. (E) Sexual desire. (F) Testosterone (T).
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Publication types

Grants and funding

This study was supported by Chengdu Science and technology Project (2019-YF09-00185-SN). The funder was not involved in the study design, collection, analysis, interpretation of data, the writing of this article, or the decision to submit it for publication.