Medicinal plants used for contraception in South Africa: A review

M A Moroole; S A Materechera; W Otang Mbeng; A O Aremu

doi:10.1016/j.jep.2019.02.002

Medicinal plants used for contraception in South Africa: A review

J Ethnopharmacol. 2019 May 10:235:19-27. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2019.02.002. Epub 2019 Feb 4.

Authors

M A Moroole¹, S A Materechera², W Otang Mbeng³, A O Aremu⁴

Affiliations

¹ Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) Centre, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, North West University, Private Mail Bag X2046, Mmabatho 2790, North West Province, South Africa. Electronic address: 28102509@student.g.nwu.ac.za.
² Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) Centre, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, North West University, Private Mail Bag X2046, Mmabatho 2790, North West Province, South Africa. Electronic address: Albert.Materechera@nwu.ac.za.
³ School of Biology and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Agriculture, University of Mpumalanga, Mbombela Campus, P/bag X11283, Nelspruit 1200, Mpumalanga, South Africa. Electronic address: Wilfred.Mbeng@ump.ac.za.
⁴ Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) Centre, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, North West University, Private Mail Bag X2046, Mmabatho 2790, North West Province, South Africa. Electronic address: Oladapo.Aremu@nwu.ac.za.

PMID: 30731180
DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2019.02.002

Abstract

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The indigenous people of South Africa, such as the Khoisan, Zulu, and Ndebele, have used medicinal plants for contraception. One of the reasons for using contraception among indigenous communities is for child spacing.

Aim of the study: The study aims to review medicinal plants used for contraception in South Africa as potential sources for the discovery and development of safe male and female hormonal contraceptives.

Materials and methods: A literature search was conducted on medicinal plants used for contraception in South Africa by referencing textbooks and scientific databases such as Google Scholar, Science Direct, PubMed, North-West University Institutional Repository, National ETD Portal, government policies and documents on contraception, theses and dissertations, and other web sources such as records from SANBI and PROTA.

Results: A minimum of 25 medicinal plants were identified as being used for contraception in South Africa, and these plants included local and exotic plants. Medicinal plants with contraceptive activity are Bulbine latifolia, Pouzolzia mixta, Salsola tuberculatiformis, Securidaca longipedunculata, and Typha capensis. In vivo and in vitro studies showed a decrease in mount, intromission and ejaculatory frequencies, inhibition of implantation, contraceptive effect, displaced glucocorticoids, and prolonged diestrus or had negative effects on vitality, motility, and sperm production.

Conclusions: Some of the plants used for contraception in South Africa are toxic to both animals and humans. Research is needed focusing on medicinal plants used by men for contraception and by women for postcoital contraception in South Africa. Traditional healers must be included when drafting contraception policies and interventions. Medicinal plants such as B. latifolia and P. mixta demonstrated that medicinal plants used for contraception in South Africa are potential sources for the discovery and development of safe male and female hormonal contraceptives.

Keywords: Child spacing; Contraceptive; Hormonal contraceptives; Indigenous medicinal plants; Traditional medicine.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Animals
Contraception / methods
Contraceptive Agents / administration & dosage*
Female
Humans
Male
Medicine, African Traditional / methods
Phytotherapy / methods
Plant Preparations / administration & dosage*
Plant Preparations / pharmacology
Plants, Medicinal / chemistry*
South Africa

Substances

Contraceptive Agents
Plant Preparations