Non-prescription Plant-Based Aphrodisiacs Inducing Nephritis and Nephrosis in sub-Saharan African Men: A Systematic Review Protocol

BackgroundSub-Saharan African (SSA) mens erotic desires for sexual prowess, stamina, and sturdy penile strength have created a multi-million-dollar industry for businesses retailing non-prescription plant-based aphrodisiacs (NPBAs). Globally, the registered and approved NPBA mass-producing sexual enhancement supplements (SESs) retailing industry, has reached almost $300 million in 2025, and is projected to increase by 6.9% yearly up until 2035. The gross increase will be approximately $600 million. Unlike the global market that heavily relies on manufactured SESs, a vast majority of male SSA citizens still prefer natural NPBAs. These NPBAs are natural plant species (herbs, flowering plants & roots) that are either consumed in their natural form or mixed with warm water to extract the plants or roots properties. Currently in SSA, almost 600 plant species have been discovered in less than 10 countries, and these plants are currently being used as NPBAs by men. However, due to the SSA region comprising of 49 countries and approximately 1.6 billion citizens, a large majority of untested, and unapproved plant species are currently being used as NPBAs. This is dangerous because the global, continental (Africa), and regional (SSA) health & medical science communities have not tested the toxicity levels of these NPBAs. This lack of knowledge has led to health risks such as nephritis (inflammation of the kidneys), and nephrosis (excessive protein loss due to damaged kidney filters) in SSA men. Moreover, the easy access in obtaining NPBAs in SSA and the excessive usage of them by men, has led to a spike in chronic kidney diseases (CKD) such as nephritis and nephrosis. CKD is currently a growing public health concern in SSA that has received minimal attention due to it being a non-communicable illness. Approximately 174 million SSA citizens are affected by CKD which has caused 77,000 deaths in the region, and the severity of this issue is proven by CKD increasing by 0,85% annually. Currently, the excessive use of unapproved NPBAs in SSA has been included as one of the leading causes of CKD in men. MethodsThe primary aim of this systematic review is to map out and synthesise evidence of, NPBAs inducing nephritis and nephrosis in SSA men from existing literature. The following databases will be utilized to search for studies: PubMed, PsycINFO, ProQuest, ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Cochrane Reviews, WHO, and Scopus. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic and Meta Analyses (PRISMA) ScR flow chart/diagram presented in figure 1 will be utilized to summarize the study selection process. O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=148 HEIGHT=200 SRC="FIGDIR/small/25335902v2_fig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (23K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@b742d3org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@184540borg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@a9b68corg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@fadfa_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG O_FLOATNOFigure 1:C_FLOATNO The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic and Meta Analyses (PRISMA) ScR flow chart/diagram C_FIG ConclusionDespite CKD/Kidney disease/nephritis & nephrosis not being included as: (i) a part of the NCDs that cause a large number of deaths globally, (ii) the 4 major NCDs, that are reported on within several global WHO NCD publications, within Africa and the SSA region this chronic disease is a serious public health crisis. Unfortunately, untested, unapproved, and unregulated NPBAs that currently exist in SSA, are also suspected of predominantly contributing to this crisis in men. Moreover, throughout the African continent and SSA region, only three countries (Ethiopia, South Africa & Zambia) offer both renal replacement by transplantation, and renal replacement therapy by dialysis. Hence, the escalating death rates caused by CKD/Kidney disease/nephritis & nephrosis. The proposed systematic review will generate findings pertaining to NPBAs inducing nephritis and nephrosis in SSA men. These findings will/can reveal the current existing literature gaps regarding NPBAs, CKD, nephritis and nephrosis. Systematic reviews registrationPROSPERO (CRD420251146160)