A review of the role of medicinal plants on Neisseriagonorrhoeae infection

Abstract Introduction Increasing rates of gonorrhoea infection have been reported, as well as growing antimicrobial resistance, indicating a potential public health crisis. Evidence suggests that some medicinal plants exert activity against resistant strains of distinct species of bacteria without response to conventional drug therapy. This paper aimed to produce exhaustive information about plant species and the corresponding medicinal plants used in traditional medicine for the treatment of gonorrhoea, and also identify those which those have been tested in vitro for antigonoccocal activity. Methods A comprehensive search of various databases and literature sources was conducted up to July 15th 2020 to identify relevant publications on medicinal plants used in traditional medicine for Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Results 322 species, most belonging to one of 7 botanical families, mainly Leguminosae, but also Apocynaceae, Combretaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Malvaceae and Solanaceae were reported to be used in traditional medicine for the treatment of gonorrhoea. The leaf was the most frequent plant part used and decoction the most common traditional way of preparation of the traditional recipes. Only 56 of the medicinal plants used in traditional medicine for gonorrhoea infection had been tested for in vitro antigonoccocal activity. Most were from the African and Asian continents. Bersama engleriana bark, Guiera senegalensis leaf, Senna podocarpa root, Terminalia macroptera leaf and root, Rhodiola rosea root and Prunus serotina bark were some of the most active medicinal plants. Lignans, stilbenoids and anthraquinones were the most frequent classes of active compounds. Conclusions Findings confirm the interest in medicinal plants and isolated secondary metabolites for developing new potential antigonoccocal agents.