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Review
. 2025 May 20:12:1591534.
doi: 10.3389/fnut.2025.1591534. eCollection 2025.

The neurobiology of plant-based therapeutics in women's reproductive health: mechanisms, efficacy, and clinical translation

Xue Liu #  1 , Chengli Bin #  1 , Zehui Zhou #  1 , Tongtong Zeng  1 , Kun Wu  1 , Yiping Luo  2 , Qun Liu  1 , Shaobin Wei #  1
Affiliations
Review

The neurobiology of plant-based therapeutics in women's reproductive health: mechanisms, efficacy, and clinical translation

Xue Liu et al. Front Nutr. .

Abstract

This review examines the neurobiological mechanisms by which plant-derived compounds influence women's reproductive health through the neuroendocrine-reproductive axis. Gynecological disorders frequently present with neurological manifestations, including cognitive decline in perimenopause, anxiety and depression in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and central sensitization in endometriosis. Bioactive compounds from medicinal plants, including polyphenols and phytoestrogens, demonstrate therapeutic potential through their anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and neuromodulatory properties. These multi-target compounds offer advantages over conventional single-target therapies by simultaneously regulating multiple physiological processes. The review explores applications in specific gynecological conditions and discusses the development of dietary supplements and functional foods incorporating these plant-derived ingredients. The growing market for these products presents opportunities for innovative formulations with enhanced bioavailability and personalized approaches. Future research directions include integrating neuroimaging with herbal research, improving clinical translation, and establishing regulatory frameworks for the global application of these plant-derived interventions to enhance female neuroendocrine-reproductive health.

Keywords: functional foods; neuroendocrine-reproductive axis; phytoestrogens; plant-derived compounds; women's health.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Conceptual framework of the neurobiology of plant-based therapeutics in women's reproductive health.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Key signaling pathways in the neuro-endocrine-reproductive axis showing interconnected neural and reproductive regulation systems. Created with BioRender.com.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Molecular mechanisms of polyphenolic compounds (EGCG, curcumin, and resveratrol) in neuroendocrine-reproductive health regulation. Created with BioRender.com.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Phytoestrogen action mechanisms and their effects on neurological and reproductive health outcomes. Created with BioRender.com.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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