Feminine intimate hygiene plants from Kinshasa / DR Congo: Potential source of contraceptive compounds

This study is part of the promotion of local medicinal plants by highlighting their spermicidal activity. An ethnobotanical survey carried out in Kinshasa made it possible to identify the plants used in female intimate hygiene. On the one hand, the aqueous extracts of the organs of ten (10) plants on the inventoried species were subjected to a phytochemical analysis. On the other hand, the recipes as applied by women as well as the total extracts of these plants have come into contact with human sperm. The analysis of the mobility and the evaluation of the viability of the sperm of the ejaculates, of good quality according to the WHO, were carried out according to the methods of Sander-Cramer and that of Williams, respectively. Thus, the concentration (EC100) capable of killing 100% of sperm within 30 minutes of exposure was detected. Thirty-eight (38) plant species have been identified. From thirteen sought-after phytochemical groups, extracts of Mangifera indica and Bridelia ferruginea contain twelve and eleven respectively. Four (4) groups of metabolic compounds with a contraceptive effect are present in all ten extracts of feminine hygiene plants. Three (3) herbal recipes (Abrus precatorius, Bridelia ferruginea and Ocimum basilicum) out of the ten studied resulted in the cancellation of sperm mobility after 3 hours of exposure. And, the EC100 is defined at 200 mg/mL for A. precatorius and 25 mg / mL for B. ferruginea. The results of this study show that feminine intimate hygiene plants contain compounds with spermicidal potential, which can be used for the development of vaginal contraceptives.