A Comprehensive Ethnophytopharmacological Review on Antileucorrhoeal Medicinal Plants From the Indian Tribal Region: Towards Future Therapeutic Research

Abstract

Introduction

Since ancient practice to modern medicine, the use of medicinal plant therapies remains in prominence. In general, health-related infirmities in the tribal communities are a consequence of their social pattern and traditions of treating diseases. Leucorrhoea is one of the common genital tract symptoms among women and its complications lead to cervical cancer and pelvic inflammatory diseases. Several plant species have been documented for the treatment of leucorrhoea globally. Therefore, it is crucial to unmask the cytotoxic capabilities of the plant species being employed in order to determine the presence of significant bioactive components.

Methods

To address the insufficient scientific information on antileucorrheal plants in Odisha, India, we conducted this ethnobotanical review aims to contribute significantly by assessing traditional knowledge, phytochemistry, and pharmacology of selected medicinal plants. This endeavour holds the potential to enrich our understanding in addressing leucorrhoea providing valuable insights that bridge traditional practices with contemporary perspectives on herbal remedies.

Results

The research findings emphasise that, among the 55 distinct medicinal plant species examined, herbs (45%) and trees (38%) are the most prevalent types. The research findings highlight that roots and leaves emerge as the two plant components with the highest efficacy for creating natural remedies. However, further research is required to validate these claims and explore potential side effects.

Conclusions

This review would possibly serve as a foundation in revealing the active principles or secondary metabolites from the selected plant species to be developed as a new therapeutic target research for curing leucorrhoea and associated cancer.