Putranjiva roxburghii Wall. and Diplocyclos palmata (L.) C. Jeffrey as the potential sources of future drugs for infertility: A review

 The changing lifestyle in recent years has greatly influenced the reproductive health of humans resulting in infertility-related problems, globally. One of the prominent approaches to addressing the infertility issue has been the use of plant-based safe and affordable drugs with no or minimal side effects. Two such medicinal plants, Putranjiva roxburghii Wall., (commonly called putranjiva) of the family Putranjivaceae and Diplocyclos palmata (L.) C. Jeffrey (commonly called shivlingi) of the Cucurbitaceae family have been reported. There are reports stating the extensive use of these two medicinal plants by many countries especially India for their general and reproductive health benefits. The plants are an aid to azoospermia, aphrodisiac, menstrual disorder, semen disorders, infertility, diseases of female genital organs, oligospermia, conception, etc. These two plants act as a uterine tonic and help to enhance fertility when coadministered. As reported, the shivlingi is also believed to help conceive a male child when consumed by the female for 1-2 months on empty stomach. No doubt there are several reports stating the benefits of these two medicinal plants in various reproductive-related aspects but there is still a need for scientific work to be carried out to validate and justify the statements and claims made by practitioners or local communities as there are no or few studies being carried out in this area till date. No study shows work on the coadministration of these two medicinal plants. Therefore, extensive research in this field along with proper screening of phytosterols and other phytocompounds is still needed before the declaration and formulation of fertility drugs from these plants to provide hope to couples dealing with infertility-related issues.