How does Carissa edulis work in the body?

Carissa edulis contains active compounds such as cardiac glycosides, flavonoids, and lignans. The cardiac glycosides influence heart muscle contraction, which explains its traditional use for chest pain, while the flavonoids and tannins offer antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects. These mechanisms support its use for infections and heart-related discomfort, though clinical evidence remains limited (Evidence level: C).

Does Carissa edulis interact with heart medications?

Yes, significant interactions are possible. Because Carissa edulis contains cardiac glycosides, taking it alongside prescription heart medications like digoxin or anti-arrhythmics can lead to additive effects, increasing the risk of toxicity and irregular heartbeats. Patients on heart medication should avoid this herb unless strictly monitored by a physician (Evidence level: C).

What is the correct dosage for Carissa edulis root?

The standard adult dosage for Carissa edulis is 2 to 4 grams of the root prepared as a daily decoction. To prepare, the root material is boiled in water to extract medicinal compounds. Exceeding this dosage increases the risk of adverse cardiac effects, so users should exercise caution and seek professional advice (Evidence level: Traditional).

Is Carissa edulis safe to use during pregnancy?

No, Carissa edulis is considered unsafe during pregnancy. The herb contains cardiac glycosides and other potent constituents that may harm fetal development or stimulate uterine contractions. Due to these potential risks, pregnant and breastfeeding women are strongly advised to avoid using this plant for medicinal purposes (Evidence level: C).

What are the side effects of Carissa African?

Common side effects of Carissa edulis primarily involve gastrointestinal upset, including nausea or stomach discomfort. At high doses, the herb can induce serious cardiac effects, such as arrhythmias, due to its cardiac glycoside content. Users should monitor for heart palpitations and discontinue use immediately if symptoms occur (Evidence level: C).

Carissa African (Carissa edulis)

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

Carissa edulis is a medicinal plant used in African pharmacopeia with demonstrated antioxidant, neuroprotective, and anticonvulsant properties [PMID:40162365, 31330950, 18822365].

Contexte

Carissa edulis (also known as simple-spined num-num) is a plant distributed in tropical Africa and Asia [PMID:31930853, 31330950]. It is utilized in various traditional medicine systems, including those of Nigeria, Benin, Kenya, and Yemen [PMID:25856720, 35977457, 8145572, 31930853].

Usages traditionnels

Traditionally used to manage epilepsy, cancer, inflammation, fever, headache, cough, rheumatism, chest complaints, gonorrhoea, syphilis, rabies, and as a diuretic [PMID:25856720, 31930853, 15374607]. In Kenya, it is also used as a dye and for edible roots [PMID:8145572].

Composés actifs

Identified compounds include phenolic acids (quinic acid, protocatechuoyl-hexose, neochlorogenic acid, chlorogenic acid, cryptochlorogenic acid, and dicaffeoylquinic acid) and flavonoids (rutin, catechin) [PMID:31330950]. Root barks contain carissaedulosides A-J (apiosylated phenylpropanoids, a coumarin-secoiridoid hybrid, and furofuran lignans), as well as cardenolides [PMID:32717694]. Other constituents include alkaloids [PMID:29439737], tannins [PMID:31223295], and 2-hydroxyacetophenone as a principal root volatile [PMID:6533264].

Mécanisme d'action

The plant induces endothelium-dependent relaxation of coronary artery rings involving nitric oxide [PMID:35977457]. It exhibits neuroprotective effects against L-glutamic acid-induced neurotoxicity and scopolamine-induced memory impairment by modulating oxidative stress and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity [PMID:40162365, 32934845].

Preuves cliniques

Preuve DConvulsions/Epilepsy

Root bark extract produced 40% protection against PTZ-induced convulsions at 5 mg/kg in mice [PMID:18822365].

Preuve DNeurotoxicity/Memory Loss

Aqueous extract exhibited protective effects against L-glutamic acid-induced neurotoxicity in mice [PMID:40162365] and improved learning and memory in scopolamine-induced impairment models [PMID:32934845].

Preuve DCancer

Ethylacetate extracts showed antiproliferative activity against human breast (HCC 1395) and prostate cancer cells [PMID:37489007]; specific glycosides (carissaedulosides) showed cytotoxicity against A549 and MCF-7 cell lines [PMID:32717694].

Preuve DHypertension

Aqueous-ethanolic extracts of aerial parts induced endothelium-dependent relaxation of porcine coronary artery rings [PMID:35977457].

Preuve DHepatotoxicity

Ethanolic extract provided a protective role against dimethoate-induced liver injury in guinea pigs [PMID:31930853].

Preuve D

Sécurité et effets indésirables

The oral median lethal dose (LD50) of root bark extract in rats was determined to be over 5000 mg/kg [PMID:18822365]. Intraperitoneal LD50 was reported as 282.8 mg/kg [PMID:18822365].

Synthèse des preuves

The current evidence is based entirely on in vitro cell assays and animal models (mice, rats, guinea pigs, chicks); there are no human clinical trials provided. Evidence strength is low (Level D).

Sources PubMed

1.PMID: 31330950 (2019) — Polyphenolic and Physicochemical Properties of Simple-Spined Num-Num (Carissa edulis) Fruit Harvested at Ripe Stage of Maturation. · Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
2.PMID: 40162365 (2025) — Therapeutic effects of Carissa edulis aqueous extract against L-glutamic acid-induced neurotoxicity in brain mice. · IBRO neuroscience reports
3.PMID: 18822365 (2008) — Anticonvulsant activity of Carissa edulis (Vahl) (Apocynaceae) root bark extract. · Journal of ethnopharmacology
4.PMID: 35977457 (2022) — Carissa edulis Vahl (Apocynaceae) extract, a medicinal plant of Benin pharmacopoeia, induces potent endothelium-dependent relaxation of coronary artery rings involving nitric oxide. · Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
5.PMID: 37489007

Carissa African

Sources et citations

Crossopteryx febrifuga

Piper sarmentosum

Jambu

Résumé

Contexte

Usages traditionnels

Composés actifs

Mécanisme d'action

Preuves cliniques

Sécurité et effets indésirables

Synthèse des preuves

Sources PubMed

Sources gouvernementales

Carissa African

Sources et citations

Plantes associées

Crossopteryx febrifuga

Piper sarmentosum

Jambu

Résumé

Contexte

Usages traditionnels

Composés actifs

Mécanisme d'action

Preuves cliniques

Sécurité et effets indésirables

Synthèse des preuves

Sources PubMed

Sources gouvernementales