Abstract

Primary dysmenorrhea (PD) is a prevalent gynaecological disorder among female adolescents and women of reproductive age, with no clear pelvic pathology. This study aimed to integrate evidence obtained from clinical trials, in vitro and in vivo experiments, evaluating the potential of medicinal plants in controlling PD. This review updates the existing knowledge and advances of different medicinal plants, polyherbal formulations, and their therapeutic potential against PD. The updated findings suggest that medicinal plants comprise numerous bioactive phytochemicals, such as saponins, alkaloids, terpenoids, flavonoids, polyphenols, tannins, glycosides, and anthraquinones, which contain therapeutic benefits. Further, this study focuses on how these bioactive compounds reduce PD by decreasing prostaglandin synthesis, altering antioxidant enzymes, disrupting signaling pathways such as cyclooxygenase-2 and nuclear factor-kappa B, stimulating somatostatin receptors, and regulating intracellular Ca²⁺ levels and inhibiting uterine hypercontractility. The latest findings together suggest that medicinal plants could be a potential source and as multi-target modulators of PD that control key pathophysiological pathways of the disease. Further, the medical plants’ potential could be used as adjunctive therapies for PD disease control and management.

Key words: Herbal formulations, Medicinal plants, Phytochemicals, Primary dysmenorrhea