Avicennia Marina: A Natural Resource for Male Anti-Fertility in Family Planning

Abstract

Increasing male involvement in family planning is a strategic priority, with herbal antifertility agents offering a potential solution. Coastal communities have traditionally utilized the bark of Avicennia marina as an anti-fertility agent. This study aims to characterize the bioactive compounds present in A. marina tissues and assess their potential as male anti-fertility agents. This exploration of mangrove anti-fertility agents could address the issue of limited access to contraceptives among low-income individuals residing in coastal regions. A. marina samples were collected from the mangrove forests of Pasir Sakti Village, Lampung Timur Regency. The bioactive content was analyzed using Gas Chromatography (Agilent 6890 series GC -MS) equipped with an HP-5MS method. A total of 49 bioactive compounds were identified in A. marina using the GC-MS method and ethanol solvent for extraction. The highest diversity of bioactive compounds was observed in flowers and fruits, followed by wood, roots, leaves, and bark, containing 21, 14, 13, 13, and 8 compounds, respectively. A. marina demonstrated the potential to produce 36 types of flavonoids, compounds previously established as effective male anti-fertility agents. The majority of flavonoids were found in the root, followed by flowers and fruits, wood, leaves, and bark, with 14, 11, 11, 8, and 8 types, respectively. These findings suggest that A. marina possesses significant potential as a source of male anti-fertility agents, presenting an opportunity to increase men's participation in family planning, especially in low-income coastal communities.