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Research Article
Plant Extracts in Modern Medicine: Review of Prospects and Challenges
Issue:
Volume 12, Issue 3, September 2026
Pages:
103-108
Received:
5 June 2026
Accepted:
17 June 2026
Published:
30 July 2026
Abstract: Plant extracts and their bioactive constituents have long served as important sources of therapeutic agents and continue to contribute significantly to modern drug discovery and development. Their vast chemical diversity, multi-target pharmacological activities, and widespread use in traditional medicine make them valuable candidates for addressing current healthcare challenges. However, despite their therapeutic potential, the translation of plant-based products into evidence-based medicines remains constrained by issues such as chemical variability, lack of standardization, inconsistent clinical evidence, safety concerns, herb-drug interactions, contamination, regulatory fragmentation, and sustainability challenges. This review aims to examine the current prospects and challenges associated with the development and utilization of plant extracts in modern therapeutics. A narrative review approach was employed, drawing on peer-reviewed review articles, methodological papers, World Health Organization (WHO) guidance documents, and recent primary studies published between 2014 and 2025. Literature was retrieved from major databases, including PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and WHO publications, using relevant keywords related to phytomedicine, standardization, metabolomics, network pharmacology, herbal clinical trials, and regulatory frameworks. The review highlights several emerging opportunities that could enhance the clinical and commercial value of plant extracts. At the same time, significant barriers persist, including variability in chemical composition, limited high-quality clinical evidence, safety and toxicity concerns, contamination and adulteration risks, fragmented regulatory requirements, and supply-chain sustainability issues. Plant extracts remain promising sources of future therapeutics, but their successful integration into modern medicine requires coordinated efforts in standardization, safety assessment, clinical validation, regulatory harmonization, and sustainable production. Advances in analytical and biotechnological tools provide practical pathways for overcoming existing limitations and accelerating the development of safe, effective, and scientifically validated plant-based medicines.
Abstract: Plant extracts and their bioactive constituents have long served as important sources of therapeutic agents and continue to contribute significantly to modern drug discovery and development. Their vast chemical diversity, multi-target pharmacological activities, and widespread use in traditional medicine make them valuable candidates for addressing...
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Research Article
Arachis hypogaea Oil Extract Enhances Male Reproductive Hormone Profiles and Sperm Parameters in Wistar Rats
Issue:
Volume 12, Issue 3, September 2026
Pages:
109-116
Received:
1 July 2026
Accepted:
23 July 2026
Published:
22 August 2026
Abstract: Plant-derived bioactive compounds have emerged as promising therapeutic agents for enhancing male reproductive health. Arachis hypogaea (groundnut), an extensively cultivated oilseed crop, possesses rich phytochemical constituents; however, its specific effects on male reproductive parameters remain incompletely characterised. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of Arachis hypogaea oil extract on reproductive function in male Wistar rats. Twenty male Wistar rats (180 - 200 g) were randomly assigned to four groups (n=5/group). Group 1 (control) received standard rat chow and water ad libitum, while Groups 2, 3, and 4 were administered A. hypogaea oil extract via daily oral gavage at doses of 150, 300, and 600 mg/kg, respectively, for 56 days. Serum reproductive hormones (follicle-stimulating hormone [FSH], luteinizing hormone [LH], and testosterone) were quantified using ELISA, while Sperm parameters (sperm count, motility, viability and morphology) were assessed using standard established protocols. Administration of A. hypogaea oil extract significantly elevated FSH and testosterone levels across all treatment groups compared to the control group (p<0.05). LH levels showed significant increases at 300 mg/kg (1.53 ± 0.02 mIU/mL) and 600 mg/kg (3.06 ± 0.01 mIU/mL) relative to controls (p<0.05). The 300 mg/kg and 600 mg/kg doses produced marked improvements in sperm viability, motility, and normal morphology, with sperm count more than doubling (580.00 ± 40.62 and 560.00 ± 53.40 M/mL, respectively) compared to the control, accompanied by significant reductions in dead sperm percentages (p<0.05). Evidence from the present study shows that Arachis hypogaea oil extract demonstrates dose-dependent enhancement of male reproductive function in Wistar rats, improving both hormonal profiles and sperm quality parameters. These findings support the therapeutic potential of A. hypogaea oil as a natural supplement for male reproductive health and warrant further investigation into its clinical applications and mechanistic pathways.
Abstract: Plant-derived bioactive compounds have emerged as promising therapeutic agents for enhancing male reproductive health. Arachis hypogaea (groundnut), an extensively cultivated oilseed crop, possesses rich phytochemical constituents; however, its specific effects on male reproductive parameters remain incompletely characterised. The present study aim...
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Research Article
Evaluation of the Antihyperglycemic Activity of Ethanolic Extracts of Syzygium tamilnadense in
Nicotinamide–Streptozotocin-Induced Type 2 Diabetic Rats
Issue:
Volume 12, Issue 3, September 2026
Pages:
117-127
Received:
13 July 2026
Accepted:
27 July 2026
Published:
27 August 2026
Abstract: Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by persistent hyperglycemia resulting from impaired insulin secretion, insulin resistance, or both. Prolonged hyperglycemia is associated with oxidative stress, dyslipidemia, and progressive damage to vital organs, highlighting the need for safer and more effective therapeutic agents. Syzygium tamilnadense Rathakr. & Chitra, an endemic medicinal species of the Western Ghats, India, has been traditionally used for various therapeutic purposes; however, its antidiabetic potential has not been scientifically validated. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first scientific exploration of its medicinal potential. The present study aimed to evaluate the antihyperglycemic, antioxidant, and organ-protective effects of the ethanolic extract of S. tamilnadense in nicotinamide–streptozotocin-induced type 2 diabetic rats. Experimental diabetes was induced using nicotinamide and streptozotocin, followed by oral administration of different doses of the ethanolic extract for four weeks. Fasting blood glucose, oral glucose tolerance, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), serum insulin, hepatic glycogen, lipid profile, antioxidant enzymes, hepatic and renal function biomarkers, and histopathological changes in pancreatic and hepatic tissues were evaluated. Treatment with S. tamilnadense significantly reduced fasting blood glucose and HbA1c levels, improved glucose tolerance, restored serum insulin and hepatic glycogen levels, normalized serum lipid profiles, and enhanced body weight compared with diabetic controls. The extract also improved endogenous antioxidant defense, attenuated oxidative stress, and significantly ameliorated hepatic and renal dysfunction. Histopathological examination further demonstrated marked regeneration of pancreatic β-cells and restoration of normal hepatic architecture in treated animals. The higher-dose treatment exhibited therapeutic efficacy comparable to the standard antidiabetic drug. These findings demonstrate that the ethanolic extract of S. tamilnadense possesses significant antihyperglycemic, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, and nephroprotective activities, suggesting its potential as a promising natural therapeutic candidate for the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Further studies are warranted to isolate the bioactive constituents and elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms.
Abstract: Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by persistent hyperglycemia resulting from impaired insulin secretion, insulin resistance, or both. Prolonged hyperglycemia is associated with oxidative stress, dyslipidemia, and progressive damage to vital organs, highlighting the need for safer and more effective therapeutic agents. ...
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Research Article
Effects of Experimentally Induced Gestational Diabetes on Fetomaternal Parameters, Exploratory Behavior and Emotional Reactivity in Rat Offspring
Prisca Joelle Djoman Doubran,
Assamala Françoise Fossou,
Yapo Fulgence Allo,
Yacouba Ouattara*,
Neme Antoine Tako
Issue:
Volume 12, Issue 3, September 2026
Pages:
128-135
Received:
26 July 2026
Accepted:
10 August 2026
Published:
27 August 2026
Abstract: Gestational diabetes mellitus adversely affects maternal health, fetal development, and long-term neurobehavioral outcomes. This study evaluated the impact of experimentally induced gestational diabetes on fetomaternal parameters, exploratory behavior, and emotional reactivity in rat offspring. Pregnant Wistar rats were treated on gestational day 6 with alloxan at 100 mg/kg, 120 mg/kg, or vehicle (control). Blood glucose levels were measured 72 h post-injection. Behavioral assessments were performed in 9 offspring from partially diabetic dams (from 4 litters) and 9 offspring from control dams (selected from 6 control litters) on postnatal days 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 using a hole-board test. Alloxan injection successfully induced dose-dependent metabolic disturbances. Blood glucose levels were significantly higher in diabetic (, ) and partially diabetic rats (, ) compared to control animals (). While no maternal deaths occurred in the 100 mg/kg group, all severely diabetic dams in the 120 mg/kg group died during gestation. Moderate hyperglycemia in PDR dams permitted full-term pregnancy but resulted in increased postnatal offspring mortality ( deaths out of pups) and morphological abnormalities, specifically tail shortening. Neurobehaviorally, exploratory activity demonstrated a non-linear developmental trajectory, peaking at PND 20 and declining thereafter, without significant differences between control and PDR offspring. Emotional defecation differed significantly at PND 15 (); however, this isolated finding should be interpreted cautiously because the overall treatment effect was not significant. In conclusion, maternal hyperglycemia severely compromises fetal viability and morphological development, whereas no clear evidence of persistent alterations in exploratory activity or emotional reactivity was observed following moderate prenatal hyperglycemia.
Abstract: Gestational diabetes mellitus adversely affects maternal health, fetal development, and long-term neurobehavioral outcomes. This study evaluated the impact of experimentally induced gestational diabetes on fetomaternal parameters, exploratory behavior, and emotional reactivity in rat offspring. Pregnant Wistar rats were treated on gestational day 6...
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Review Article
Diversity and Medicinal Significance of the Genus Pinanga: A Review of Taxonomic and Pharmacological Studies
Issue:
Volume 12, Issue 3, September 2026
Pages:
136-144
Received:
2 August 2026
Accepted:
17 August 2026
Published:
27 August 2026
Abstract: Palms are an important group of plants that grow in tropical and subtropical areas. They are not only significant for their beauty but also play a key role in providing food and raw materials for the economy. In 1839, a scientist named Blume introduced the genus Pinanga. While he described some new species, P. schwanerensis was described much later, and the precise timing of his descriptions of P. patula, P. salicifolia, and P. albescens in relation to the genus introduction is unclear from the available evidence. Later, more species, such as P. arinasae, P. javana, P. leonardcoi, and P. coronata, along with P. lepidota, P. salicifolia, P. mirabilis, P. chaiana, and P. veitchii, were added. There are also other species, such as P. gruezoi, P. samarana, P. limosa, P. riparia Ridley, P. auriculata Becc. var. merguensis Becc. and a new variety, P. auriculata Becc. var. leucocarpa and P. nuichuensis. These species grow in various places, such as Java, montane forests, and on islands such as Samar, Bucas Grande, Dinagat, and northeastern Mindanao in the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, and many other parts of the world. In India, five species of Pinanga—P. dicksonii, P. gracilis, P. griffithii, P. manii, and P. sylvestris—exist, of which P. dicksonii and P. manii occur only in this region and are thus endemic to the region. A review article studied the karyomorphology of Pinanga species in Java and Bali, such as P. arinasae, P. javana, and P. coronata, and explored how their physical features and molecular characteristics are related. The present review further examines the complete chloroplast genome of the rare endemic species P. arinasae. Cytotoxic activity has also been reported for P. limosa, which is commonly referred to as P. puteri. In addition, microsatellite-based investigations have provided information on the molecular diversity of wild P. dicksonii (Roxb.) Blume populations occurring in the Western Ghats of Karnataka. Traditional uses and scientific studies highlight Pinanga as one of the most widely used genera in certain regions. Researchers have focused on identifying new species within this genus, underscoring its importance as a medicinal plant. This review provides an updated overview of the taxonomy and pharmacological aspects of the Pinanga genus.
Abstract: Palms are an important group of plants that grow in tropical and subtropical areas. They are not only significant for their beauty but also play a key role in providing food and raw materials for the economy. In 1839, a scientist named Blume introduced the genus Pinanga. While he described some new species, P. schwanerensis was described much later...
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,
Abdulmumin Malam Usman*
