Evaluation of Natural Products Used for Treating Male Reproductive Disorders in Selected Malay Medical Manuscripts

ASM Sc. J., 21(1), 2026

Published on June 11, 2026

https://doi.org/10.32802/asmscj.2026.0114

Author: Suzanah Abdul Rahman, Mohd Affendi Mohd Shafri, Nurulhuda Mohd Suffian

Abstract

Malay medical manuscripts (MMMs) reflect centuries of indigenous therapeutics, but their contribution to contemporary male reproductive medicine is little explored. This study evaluated natural treatments of male reproductive ailments recorded in selected MMMs by combining native wisdom and modern scientific verification. Five transliterated MMMs were obtained from the collection of IIUM, Kuantan, and assessed using the Scientific Analysis of Kitab Tib Index for Index of Manuscript Selection (SAKTI- iMS). Traditional formulations and pharmacological effects documented in the MMMs were compared with empirical studies retrieved from NCBI PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and Google Scholar, ensuring comprehensive appraisal of pharmacological evidence and regional publications. 79 natural products were identified in 32 formulations utilised for male reproductive disorders, with Tayyib Al-Ihsan Fi Tibb Al-Insan and Kitab Tib MSS 2515 contributing the highest number of formulations (25% each) and MSS 2515 showing the greatest diversity of natural products (34.2%). Remedies are primarily plant- based (74.3%), with honey, shallot, black seed, raisins, and sugar palm tree, noted to improve sperm quality, erectile dysfunction, and low sexual desire. Significant antioxidant activities from the high phenolic contents, reduce lipid peroxidation thus enhance cellular functions. Traditional knowledge integrated with scientific validation highlights the potential of MMMs in enhancing evidence-based medical interventions.

Keywords: ethnomedicine, Malay medical manuscripts, male reproductive health, natural products, pharmacological effects