Current Bioactive Compounds - Volume 22, Issue 3, 2026

This current review provides a thorough examination of the potential of plant-based chemicals as effective male contraceptive treatments by synthesizing results from several pre-clinical investigations. The established literature highlights the urgent requirement for male contraceptive strategies that are safe, effective, and reversible, considering the drawbacks and difficulties of current options. The need for male contraceptive research and the inherent drawbacks of available solutions are also covered in this review. It clarifies the possible benefits of plant-based contraceptives by emphasizing their natural source, expected safety profile, and low side effect rate. In this review, 49 plants evaluated for male oral contraceptive action are discussed. PubMed, Cochrane library, Embase, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar databases are used for the literature search. This review explores the complex pathways, including hormone regulation, spermatogenesis suppression, sperm motility interference, and sperm maturation disruption, by which plant-based chemicals may have contraceptive effects. Pre-clinical investigations have examined a wide range of plant-derived substances, including flavonoids, anthraquinones, glycosides, alkaloids, phenolics, diterpenes, triterpenes, tannins, saponins, steroids, and phytosterols, among other phytochemical families. Every phytochemical is thoroughly examined, including its botanical origins, phytoconstituents, native name, and unique effects on male fertility. Results from research conducted on animals are methodically summarised in this study, including information on the effectiveness, dose, delivery methods, and reversibility of contraceptive effects. Furthermore, the discussion includes findings from in vitro research, emphasizing the possible influence on sperm parameters (sperm production, deformation, count, viability, and motility), reproductive hormones (testosterone level), thickness and diameter of seminiferous tubules (ST) as well as spermatocytes and secondary spermatocytes, Sertoli cells (SCs), and Leydig cell (LCs). According to the assessment, male contraceptives made of plants have a lot of potential as a future weapon in the arsenal of contraceptives. Pre-clinical research has shown the safety, effectiveness, and reversibility of several plant-derived drugs, which offers a solid basis for more investigation and advancement. However, there are still a lot of obstacles to overcome, like standardizing plant extracts, guaranteeing uniform effectiveness, and carrying out thorough safety evaluations. This review emphasizes the significance of undertaking well-designed clinical studies to validate pre-clinical findings, creating standardized formulations for consistent outcomes, and resolving regulatory issues as well as ethical considerations for human use to progress this subject.

Bixa orellana, known as annatto, has gained significant attention due to its diverse phytochemical composition and wide range of pharmacological activities. This review provides a comprehensive evaluation of the latest advancements in the phytochemistry and pharmacology of B. orellana. The plant is rich in a variety of bioactive compounds, including carotenoids, flavonoids, and tocotrienols, which contribute to its therapeutic potential. Recent studies have highlighted the antioxidative, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties of these compounds, supporting the traditional use of B. orellana in various ethno-medicinal practices. Furthermore, the underlying mechanisms of action of these bioactive constituents are discussed, with an emphasis on their interaction with molecular targets that regulate oxidative stress, inflammation, and cell proliferation. The pharmacokinetics, safety profile, and potential side effects of B. orellana extracts are also reviewed, underscoring the need for further research to establish standardized dosages and formulations. Additionally, the application of advanced extraction techniques and novel delivery systems to enhance the bioavailability and efficacy of B. orellana-derived compounds is explored. This review aims to consolidate the current knowledge on B. orellana, providing insights into its potential as a source of natural therapeutics and laying the groundwork for future research and development in this field. By synthesizing the findings from recent studies, this paper contributes to a deeper understanding of B. orellana’s pharmacological potential, ultimately supporting its integration into modern healthcare practices.

This extensive review paper explores the ethnopharmacological viewpoints of Plumeria obtusa L., commonly referred to as “Frangipani”, clarifying its complex phytochemistry and range of pharmacological characteristics. Plumeria obtusa has a long history of ethnobotanical uses and is widely used in traditional medicinal practices across many countries. Through a methodical investigation of its phytochemical components, the review reveals a diverse range of bioactive substances, such as phenolic compounds, alkaloids, flavonoids, and terpenoids. The plant's potential for medicinal use is greatly enhanced by these ingredients. There is a thorough discussion of Plumeria obtusa’s pharmacological characteristics, including its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antioxidant, and anticancer effects. Using information gathered from both current and historic studies, the article offers a comprehensive overview of the plant's many therapeutic uses. It also provides insights into the significance of using scientific research to validate traditional applications, opening the door for Plumeria obtusa incorporation into contemporary healthcare procedures. This paper focuses on Plumeria obtusa ethnomedical usage, describing its traditional use in the treatment of a range of ailments. The study points out information gaps and suggests future studies to explore its therapeutic and multi-mechanistic approaches. It also suggests possible directions for clinical investigations. To sum up, this study provides a comprehensive overview of Plumeria obtusa L. by combining ethnopharmacological ideas, phytochemical data, and pharmacological discoveries. This plant presents itself as a good option for new medicinal uses when conventional wisdom and scientific investigation are combined.

The neglected tropical disease (NTD), trachoma comprises the infection of eye produced by a pathogenic bacteria known as Chlamydia trachomatis, a sexually transmitted bacterium that leads to ocular infection which ultimately leads to ocular destruction or complete blindness. Around 80-85 million individuals worldwide are infected wherein 60-90 percent of the said infection is detected only in youngsters in several places. Trachoma considerably prevails in rural areas where sanitation and healthcare are the major issues and these are the world’s low-income countries. The epidemiology of the said disease is complex and related to the environmental conditions. This review article focused on the pathophysiology of trachoma and the use of phytochemicals from herbal sources. Herbal remedies are the best way to manage any disease as they are comparatively safer and have fewer side effects. Although there are various conventional treatments including the use of antibiotics like erythromycin, sulphonamides, and azithromycin for the management of said diseases. They have various adverse effects including, abdominal pain, vomiting, and over usage can even lead to permanent blindness. Thus, to avoid these adverse effects the scientific community focused on herbal therapeutics and their secondary metabolites that have a major role in the designing and development of safer therapeutics. This review focused on the isoquinoline alkaloids obtained from medicinal plants that can be used in the development of the newer pharmacophore for the management of trachoma.