Evidence supporting the use of: Rubiaceae
For the health condition: Gonorrhea

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

The use of plants from the Rubiaceae family to treat or support the management of gonorrhea is primarily rooted in traditional medicine rather than robust scientific validation. Various species within the Rubiaceae family—such as Morinda lucida, Mitragyna inermis, and Rubia cordifolia—have been used in ethnomedicine in Africa and Asia for the treatment of sexually transmitted infections, including gonorrhea. Ethnobotanical surveys in Nigeria, Ghana, and India have documented the use of leaf, bark, or root extracts from these plants for urogenital complaints, with traditional healers claiming effectiveness.

However, the scientific evaluation of these claims remains limited. Some in vitro studies have shown that extracts from Rubiaceae plants possess antibacterial properties, but very few have tested activity specifically against Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the bacterium responsible for gonorrhea. The available scientific evidence is preliminary at best, often using crude extracts without identifying active compounds or establishing safety and efficacy in humans. Thus, while there is a clear basis in traditional use, the evidence supporting the effectiveness of Rubiaceae plants against gonorrhea is weak and largely anecdotal, meriting a low evidence score. More rigorous pharmacological and clinical studies are required to validate these traditional claims.

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