Eritrean Rue (Ruta chalepensis): Benefits, Dosage, Safety & Evidence

Questions fréquentes

How does Eritrean Rue work as an antispasmodic?

Ruta chalepensis contains bioactive compounds including rutin, chalepensin, graveolinine, and quinoline alkaloids that act on smooth muscle tissue. These compounds appear to modulate calcium channels and reduce involuntary muscle contractions. The herb has been used traditionally as an antispasmodic for stomach cramps and menstrual discomfort. Evidence level: C (preliminary studies and traditional use). The exact molecular mechanisms require further clinical investigation to fully understand the antispasmodic properties.

Is Eritrean Rue safe during pregnancy?

No, Ruta chalepensis is absolutely contraindicated during pregnancy and is considered unsafe. The herb has well-documented abortifacient properties and can cause severe uterine contractions that may lead to miscarriage. Traditional use as an emmenagogue confirms its stimulating effects on uterine tissue. Women who are pregnant, attempting to conceive, or breastfeeding should avoid this herb entirely. Evidence level: C, with strong traditional documentation of abortifacient effects dating back centuries.

What is the safe dosage of Eritrean Rue tea?

The traditional adult dosage for Ruta chalepensis is 1-2 grams of dried herb prepared as tea. This is considered a very small dose, and exceeding it significantly increases the risk of toxicity. Due to potentially hepatotoxic alkaloids and uterine-stimulating compounds, conservative dosing is essential. Evidence level: Traditional use. Patients should start with the lowest possible dose and never exceed recommended amounts due to the narrow therapeutic window.

Does Eritrean Rue interact with medications?

Ruta chalepensis may interact with medications metabolized by the liver, as it contains compounds that can affect cytochrome P450 enzymes. Due to documented hepatotoxicity, it should not be combined with other liver-affecting medications, alcohol, or hepatotoxic drugs. The rutin content may affect platelet aggregation, potentially interacting with anticoagulants. Patients taking prescription medications should consult a qualified healthcare provider before use. Evidence level: C based on pharmacological studies of constituent compounds.

What are the side effects of Eritrean Rue?

Ruta chalepensis can cause serious adverse effects when consumed in excessive amounts. Documented side effects include severe uterine contractions, hepatotoxicity, and nephrotoxicity. The alkaloids and furanocoumarins present in the plant are responsible for toxicity at high doses. Skin contact with fresh plant material may cause photosensitivity reactions or contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals. People with pre-existing liver or kidney disease should avoid this herb entirely. Evidence level: C.

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

Ruta chalepensis (fringed rue) is a medicinal herb from the Rutaceae family known for its diverse bioactive compounds and pharmacological properties [PMID:36840175, PMID:34443352].

Contexte

Ruta chalepensis L., also known as fringed rue, is a perennial herb in the citrus family (Rutaceae) distributed in the Mediterranean region and available in India [PMID:34443352, PMID:23929988].

Usages traditionnels

Traditionally used to treat rheumatism, fever, mental disorders, dropsy, neuralgia, menstrual problems, anxiety, epilepsy, and as an analgesic, antipyretic, and anti-inflammatory agent [PMID:33485978, PMID:33669881, PMID:28638868]. It has also been used as an abortifacient and emmenagogue [PMID:34443352, PMID:12807304].

Composés actifs

The plant is rich in furanocoumarins (such as bergapten, isoimperatorin, isopimpinellin, psoralen, xanthotoxin, rutamarin, and chalepin), furoquinoline alkaloids (including $\gamma$-fagarine and skimmianine), and flavonoids (notably rutin, hesperidin, quercetin, and myricetin) [PMID:35326242, PMID:34208750, PMID:33271156, PMID:28486828, PMID:38372467]. Essential oils contain aliphatic ketones like 2-undecanone and 2-nonanone [PMID:34443352].

Mécanisme d'action

R. chalepensis extracts have demonstrated the ability to inhibit acetylcholinesterase (AChE) [PMID:27925496] and inhibit $\alpha$-amylase and $\alpha$-glucosidase enzymes [PMID:28486828]. In mice, it has been shown to reduce apoptotic, DNA damage, and oxidative stress markers (decreasing Caspase-3, -8, NO, 8-OHdG, and MDA) while increasing CAT and SOD activities [PMID:35917490].

Preuves cliniques

Preuve DNephrotoxicity (Gentamicin-induced)

Extracts significantly diminished histopathological alterations and reduced oxidative stress markers in mice [PMID:35917490]

Preuve DSeizures

Aqueous extracts and ethyl acetate fractions exhibited anticonvulsant properties in PTZ and MES mouse models [PMID:33485978]

Preuve DAmoebiasis (Entamoeba histolytica)

Furocoumarins rutamarin and chalepin showed high antiprotozoal activity in vitro [PMID:34208750]

Preuve DBacterial Infections

Ethanolic and methanolic extracts showed antibacterial activity against S. aureus, E. coli, and P. aeruginosa [PMID:38372467, PMID:42327606, PMID:42007388]

Preuve DHyperlipidemia

Aqueous, acetone, and hexane extracts were explored for lipid-lowering potential in Triton WR-1339-induced hyperlipidemic rats [PMID:40591882]

Sécurité et effets indésirables

In mice, dried leaf infusions caused perinatal changes, including delayed physical signs and righting reflex, and histological weakness in the blood barrier of the brain, thymus, and pery-lymph vestibule [PMID:10687865].

Grossesse et allaitement

The plant is used traditionally as an abortifacient [PMID:34443352] and has been reported in cases of induced abortion [PMID:12807304]. Animal studies indicate embryotoxic effects and harmful perinatal changes [PMID:10687865].

Synthèse des preuves

The current evidence consists primarily of in vitro studies and animal models (Level D), with some review articles (Level C). There are no human clinical trials or meta-analyses provided.

Sources PubMed

1.PMID: 36840175 (2023) — Ruta angustifolia Pers. (Narrow-Leaved Fringed Rue): Pharmacological Properties and Phytochemical Profile. · Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
2.PMID: 34443352 (2021) — Ruta Essential Oils: Composition and Bioactivities. · Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
3.PMID: 35326242 (2022) — Phytochemical Characterization, and Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Properties of Agitated Cultures of Three Rue Species: Ruta chalepensis, Ruta corsica, and Ruta graveolens. · Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)
4.PMID: 35917490 (2023) — Potential Protective Effects of Ruta Chalepensis L. Extracts Against Gentamicin-Induced Nephrotoxicity via Reduction on Apoptotic, DNA Damage and Oxidative Stress Markers in Mice. · International journal of environmental health research
5.PMID: 31189782 (2019) — Production of the herb Ruta chalepensis L. expressing amyloid β-GFP fusion protein.

Eritrean Rue

Sources et citations

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