Cynomorium coccineum and Cynomorium songaricum are unusual parasitic plants in the family Cynomoriaceae characterized by their unusual appearance and way of life. Due to their special habit and extremely rare occurrence, in the past, various magical properties have been attributed to these plants. The plant Cynomorium coccineum, which is found in the Mediterranean, has been used in Europe since the Middle Ages in folk medicine under the name fungus maletensis (maltese fungus). It was used for the same purpose in Arabic cultures under the name tarthuth. The Asian species (Cynomorium songaricum), sometimes considered a subspecies of C. coccineum, is still used in traditional Chinese medicine under the name Suo Yang. Recent studies show that the plant has a number of beneficial effects on the body and there is a real possibility that the substances present in Suo Yang or substances derived therefrom will be used in the future for therapeutic purposes. Of particular interest are their effects on sexual function. Preclinical experiments in male rats showed an increase in fertility after administration of Cynomoriumextract. In these tests, an increase in the weight of the testes and an increase in the number of spermatozoa and their viability were observed. Cynomorium plants offer a new approach to the treatment of human infertility, which is currently a major problem.

Biomedical Research Centre University Hospital Hradec Kralove Czech Republic

Department of Botany Faculty of Science Charles University Prague Czech Republic

Institute of Radiology Toxicology and Civil Protection Faculty of Health and Social Studies University of South Bohemia in Ceske Budejovice Ceske Budejovice Czech Republic

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