Microbiome-Targeted Herbal Therapeutics for Maternal and Fetal Health
Corresponding author: [email protected]
Abstract
The maternal microbiome plays a significant role in pregnancy health, fetal development, immune regulation and metabolic homeostasis, with the gut, vaginal and placental microbiomes all contributing to the health of mothers and newborns. Microbiome-targeted herbal products have been identified as a potential means of modulating the microbiome and the physiological function of mother and fetus. This chapter reviews medicinal plants, phytochemicals, prebiotic herbs and herbal bioactive compounds used to control maternal microbiota during gestation, covering herbal medicines for gastrointestinal health, immune support, inflammation and metabolic control, and the prevention of complications such as gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, infections and preterm labour. It explores interactions between herbal constituents and the maternal microbiome, including effects on microbial diversity, metabolite production and gut-brain-immune axis signalling, and highlights emerging concepts such as synbiotic formulations, microbiota-focused nutraceuticals, precision herbal medicine and individualized maternal care. The chapter also addresses present challenges in microbial variability, formulation standardization, safety evaluation, clinical validation and regulation, offering an integrated and future-oriented perspective on microbiome-based herbal therapeutics.
Author Affiliations
- 1 Department of Pharmacology, Divine College of Pharmacy (Savitribai Phule Pune University Affiliated), Nampur Road, Satana, Nashik-423301, Maharashtra, India.
- 2 Department of Pharmaceutics, Divine College of Pharmacy (Savitribai Phule Pune University Affiliated), Nampur Road, Satana, Nashik-423301, Maharashtra, India.
- 3 Department of Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance, Divine College of Pharmacy (Savitribai Phule Pune University Affiliated), Nampur Road, Satana, Nashik-423301, Maharashtra, India.