The antifertility potential of beluntas leaves (pluchea indica): From effects on spermatozoa to phylogenetic analysis of the pluchea genus

This study investigates the antifertility potential of Beluntas leaves (Pluchea indica) by its comparison with related species within the Pluchea genus through phylogenetic and bioinformatics approaches. By collecting genetic sequence data of Pluchea species from the GenBank NCBI database, analyses were conducted using MEGA X software to generate a phylogenetic tree, amino acid composition, and genetic distance table. Among the 13 Pluchea species analyzed, this research found that P. indica has significant potential as an antifertility agent based on its impact on the quality of male white rat spermatozoa, including motility and spermatogenic cell count. Furthermore, phylogenetic analysis indicates a close genetic relationship between P. indica and P. ovalis, suggesting the potential of P. ovalis as a new antifertility candidate. These results affirm the potential of Beluntas leaves as a male antifertility agent and open opportunities for further research on the potential of other Pluchea species. This study underscores the importance of bioinformatics studies in identifying plants for antifertility drugs, especially within the Pluchea genus, and suggests the need for further laboratory analysis on species closely related to P. indica to verify their antifertility potential.