Pharm Biol. 2016 Sep;54(9):1901-18. doi: 10.3109/13880209.2015.1113994. Epub 2016 Feb 25.
1a Faculty of Pharmacy, The University of Jordan , Amman , Jordan.
Abstract
Context
National statistical reports in Jordan indicate a decrease in the total
fertility rate along with a parallel increase in contraceptive use. The
folkloric use of medicinal herbs in gynecological disorders has been
growing in Jordan, despite of deficient reports on the evidence-based
safety and efficacy of these practices. Objective The aim of this
comprehensive article is to review medicinal plants with claimed
ethnonpharmacological usage in various gynecological and
pregnancy-related issues in Jordan, and to assess their evidence-based
pharmacological studies as well as their phytochemistry. Methods The
published literature was surveyed using Google Scholar entering the
terms "ethnopharmacology AND Jordan AND infertility AND gynecology OR
gestation". We included ethnopharmacological surveys in Jordan with
available full-text. Results Twelve articles were reviewed. Plant
species which are commonly used for female gynecological issues such as
Artemisia monosperma Del. and A. herba-alba Asso. (Asteraceae) have been
found to exert an antifertility effect. Ricinus communis L.
(Euphorbiaceae) and Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad. (Cucurbitaceae)
had antifertility effects in male rats, but Nigella sativa oil
L. (Ranunculaceae) and Cinnamon zeylanicum J. Presl (Lauraceae) were
found to enhance it. Conclusion Using plants for gynecological disorders
is a common practice in Jordan. Many of them, whether utilised for
gynecological or non-gynecological conditions equally, were found to
have detrimental effects on female or male fertility. Thus, couples
planning pregnancy should be discouraged from the consumption of these
herbs. Further local studies are warranted to confirm the appreciable
beneficial pharmacological effects and safety of these plants.
KEYWORDS:
Ethnopharmacology; Jordan; gynecology; herbal remedies; phytochemistry
