Amorpha fruticosa (Amorpha fruticosa): Benefits, Dosage, Safety & Evidence

Questions fréquentes

What is Amorpha fruticosa used for medicinally?

Amorpha fruticosa, commonly known as false indigo, has been used traditionally for treating skin conditions and as a natural insecticide. Preliminary research suggests the herb possesses anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, which may support its traditional topical applications. The plant has a history of folk use for various dermatological complaints, though robust clinical trials are lacking. Evidence level: C (preliminary research and traditional use).

How does Amorpha fruticosa work as an anti-inflammatory?

Amorpha fruticosa contains several bioactive compounds including amorphin (a rotenoid glycoside), flavonoids, and tannins. These constituents are believed to modulate inflammatory pathways through antioxidant activity and potential inhibition of pro-inflammatory mediators. The flavonoid content may contribute to reduced oxidative stress, while tannins provide astringent effects. However, specific molecular mechanisms remain poorly characterized in human studies. Evidence level: C (preliminary research).

What is the recommended dosage for Amorpha fruticosa?

Traditional preparations of Amorpha fruticosa typically use approximately 2 grams of dried leaf prepared as a tea. This dosage is based on folk use rather than standardized clinical trials. Due to the presence of rotenone and limited safety data, internal use should be approached cautiously and for short durations only. Topical preparations may vary in concentration. Consult a qualified healthcare practitioner for personalized guidance. Evidence level: C (traditional use).

Is Amorpha fruticosa safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding?

Amorpha fruticosa is considered unsafe during pregnancy and should be strictly avoided. The herb contains rotenone, a compound with known toxicity concerns, and amorphin, which may affect uterine function. Traditional contraindications explicitly warn against use in pregnant women. Breastfeeding women should also avoid this herb due to insufficient safety data and potential for harmful constituents to pass into breast milk. Evidence level: C (traditional contraindication).

Does Amorpha fruticosa interact with any medications?

There is limited clinical data on drug interactions for Amorpha fruticosa. However, the presence of rotenone and other bioactive compounds raises theoretical concerns regarding interactions with anticoagulants, antiplatelet medications, and drugs metabolized by the liver. The insecticidal properties of rotenone may affect hepatic enzyme systems. Patients taking prescription medications should consult a healthcare provider before using this herb. Evidence level: C (theoretical concerns based on constituent profile).

Fiche d'information compilée à partir de PubMed

Cette fiche a été compilée à partir de résumés PubMed (NIH) avec l'assistance d'une IA. Chaque affirmation factuelle est citée par un article PubMed réel (voir la liste des sources). Elle n'a pas encore été révisée par un humain — confirmez auprès d'un professionnel de santé avant utilisation.

Compilé à partir de 30 articles PubMed · modèle : gemma4:31b

Résumé

Amorpha fruticosa, also known as false indigo bush, is a North American shrub with documented phytochemical properties including antidiabetic, cytotoxic, and antinociceptive activities [PMID:28642702, 38733625, 39519963].

Contexte

Amorpha fruticosa L. (Fabaceae) is a deciduous shrub native to North America that has become an aggressive invasive species in Europe and Asia [PMID:28642702, 33828914, 36177113]. It is often used for ornamental purposes, honey production, and soil erosion protection [PMID:28642702].

Usages traditionnels

In traditional Chinese medicine, it has been used to treat burns, ambustion, carbuncles, and eczema [PMID:39871242].

Composés actifs

The plant contains a variety of bioactive compounds, including rotenoids (such as amorphigenin and amorfrutins) [PMID:35877420, 22509006, 37692245], prenylated phenols (flavan and stilbene derivatives) [PMID:38733625], polyphenols, flavonoids (including vitexin, rutin, and quercetin) [PMID:28987377, 23772105], and iminosugars [PMID:40733441]. Its essential oil is dominated by germacrene D [PMID:39519963].

Mécanisme d'action

Amorfrutins act as powerful antidiabetics by binding to and activating the nuclear receptor PPARγ [PMID:22509006]. Amorphigenin induces depigmentation via autophagy-mediated melanosome degradation in an AMPK-dependent and mTOR-independent manner [PMID:35877420]. Certain rotenoids act as competitive inhibitors of tyrosinase [PMID:37692245].

Preuves cliniques

Preuve DType 2 Diabetes / Metabolic Syndrome

Purified extract of A. fruticosa (100 mg/kg) in diabetic spontaneously hypertensive rats caused significant decreases in blood glucose levels, systolic pressure, and MDA quantity [PMID:40733441, 35735617]. Amorfrutins demonstrated antidiabetic effects in diet-induced obese and db/db mice [PMID:22509006].

Preuve DCancer (Various)

Prenylated phenols from fruits reduced survival of human cervical (HeLa) and colon (HT-29, HCT-116, LS174) tumor cells [PMID:38733625]. Rotenoid glycosides from seeds showed selective cytotoxicity against MCF-7 and HCT-116 cell lines [PMID:25449424]. Leaf extracts showed inhibitory effects on HCT116 cells [PMID:28987377].

Preuve DPain (Nociception)

Essential oil from fresh fruit reduced the number of writhes in acetic acid-induced rats, with a 400 mg/kg dose demonstrating 54.4% inhibition [PMID:39519963].

Sécurité et effets indésirables

In a study using spontaneously hypertensive rats, a purified extract of A. fruticosa was found to be slightly toxic (LD50 not specified in abstract) [PMID:35735617]. There are currently no published data regarding the toxicity of A. fruticosa towards humans [PMID:35735617].

Synthèse des preuves

The current evidence is primarily based on in vitro studies and animal models (Level D), demonstrating potential for metabolic, antineoplastic, and antinociceptive applications, but lacks human clinical trials.

Sources PubMed

1.PMID: 36177113 (2022) — A review on invasive false indigo bush (Amorpha fruticosa L.): Nuisance plant with multiple benefits. · Ecology and evolution
2.PMID: 38733625 (2025) — Cytotoxic prenylated phenols of false indigo-bush (Amorpha fruticosa L.). · Natural product research
3.PMID: 28642702 (2017) — Amorpha fruticosa - A Noxious Invasive Alien Plant in Europe or a Medicinal Plant against Metabolic Disease? · Frontiers in pharmacology
4.PMID: 39519963 (2024) — Chemodiversity and Antinociceptive Activity of Amorpha fruticosa L. Essential Oil. · Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
5.PMID: 35877420 (2022) — Amorphigenin from Amorpha fruticosa L. Root Extract Induces Autophagy-Mediated Melanosome Degradation in mTOR-Independent- and AMPK-Dependent Manner. · Current issues in molecular biology

Amorpha fruticosa

Sources et citations

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