Harpephyllum Caffrum (Harpephyllum caffrum): Benefits, Dosage, Safety & Evidence

Questions fréquentes

How does Harpephyllum caffrum work as a blood purifier?

Harpephyllum caffrum contains tannins, flavonoids, sterols, and phenolic acids that contribute to its medicinal properties. The tannins provide astringent effects that may help cleanse the skin and tissues, while flavonoids offer antioxidant activity supporting cellular health. In traditional Zulu and Xhosa medicine, the plant is believed to support liver and kidney elimination pathways, helping to remove metabolic waste products from the blood. However, specific mechanisms have not been validated through clinical trials. Evidence level: C (traditional use).

Is Harpephyllum caffrum safe to take during pregnancy?

No, Harpephyllum caffrum is considered unsafe during pregnancy and should be avoided. Traditional use data and constituent analysis suggest potential effects that could compromise pregnancy. The herb has historically been used for its blood-purifying properties, which may stimulate elimination pathways in ways that are contraindicated during gestation. Women who are pregnant, attempting to conceive, or breastfeeding should not use this herb. Evidence level: C (traditional contraindication).

What is the recommended dosage for Harpephyllum caffrum bark decoction?

The traditional adult dosage for Harpephyllum caffrum is a bark decoction of approximately 200ml taken twice daily. To prepare, simmer the dried bark in water for 15-20 minutes, then strain before consumption. Dosage should not be exceeded, as excessive use is specifically contraindicated in traditional medicine. This recommendation is based on traditional Zulu and Xhosa medicinal practice rather than clinical trials. Evidence level: C (traditional use).

Does Harpephyllum caffrum interact with any medications?

There is limited clinical data on drug interactions for Harpephyllum caffrum. Due to its traditional use as a blood purifier and potential effects on liver and kidney elimination pathways, caution is advised when taking it alongside medications metabolised by these organs. The tannin content may reduce absorption of certain medications, including iron supplements and some alkaloid drugs. Patients on prescription medications should consult a qualified healthcare provider before using Harpephyllum caffrum preparations. Evidence level: C (theoretical based on constituent profile).

Can Harpephyllum caffrum help treat acne and eczema?

Harpephyllum caffrum has been used traditionally in Zulu and Xhosa medicine to treat various skin conditions including acne, eczema, and general skin eruptions. The astringent tannins may help reduce inflammation and weeping associated with eczema, whilst antimicrobial compounds could support acne management. The herb's blood-purifying action is traditionally believed to address internal causes of skin problems. However, no clinical trials have validated these uses. Evidence level: C (traditional use with limited clinical validation).

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

Harpephyllum caffrum, known as wild plum, is a medicinal plant from South Africa used traditionally to manage diabetes and hypertension [PMID:16733599], with demonstrated in vitro activities including antioxidant, antimicrobial, and tyrosinase inhibition effects [PMID:35396859, PMID:35744961, PMID:16271287].

Contexte

Harpephyllum caffrum (family Anacardiaceae) is a medicinal plant and common street tree distributed throughout the eastern part of South Africa [PMID:23581686].

Usages traditionnels

In African folk medicine, the stem bark is used to manage, control, and/or treat diabetes mellitus and hypertension [PMID:16733599]. It is also used in traditional Zulu medicine to treat headache or inflammatory diseases [PMID:8735453].

Composés actifs

Identified compounds include S-methylcysteine sulfoxide, dihydroquercetin, nobiletin, and puerarin in the fruit [PMID:35396859]; proanthocyanidins in the pulp [PMID:35761644]; and (+)-catechin, beta-sitosterol, and lupeol in the edible fruits [PMID:25310809]. The gum exudate contains cardanol and new alk(en)ylhydroxycyclohexanes [PMID:35744961]. Leaf extracts contain polyphenols such as ethyl gallate, quercetin-3-O-rhamnoside, gallic acid, and various triterpenoids including betulonic acid and lupeol [PMID:22262932], as well as flavonoid sulphatoglycosides like kaempferol 3-O-(2''-sulphatogalactopyranoside) [PMID:21907269].

Mécanisme d'action

In isolated rat brain, fruit extracts facilitate glucose uptake and modulate metabolic activities by elevating GSH, SOD, catalase, glycogen phosphorylase, and ENTPDase activities, while suppressing NO, malonaldehyde, fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase, ATPase, acetylcholinesterase, and butyrylcholinesterase activities [PMID:35396859]. Leaf extracts exhibit radical scavenging effects and inhibit the production of the proinflammatory cytokine IL-6 in human keratinocytes following UV radiation [PMID:21907269].

Preuves cliniques

Preuve DDiabetes and Hypertension

Stem bark aqueous extract caused dose-related, significant hypoglycaemic and hypotensive effects in rat models [PMID:16733599].

Preuve BSkin Fluorescence/Aging

Application of Wild Plum formulations increased skin fluorescence in volunteers, restoring solar skin fluorescence to values beyond non-solar skin [PMID:22882649].

Preuve DMelanogenesis

Leaf and bark extracts showed tyrosinase inhibitory activity with IC50 values of 51 and 40 μg/mL, respectively [PMID:22611429].

Preuve DInfections

Aqueous extracts showed antibacterial activity against tested bacteria, and ethanolic extracts showed antifungal activity [PMID:16271287].

Sécurité et effets indésirables

In a clinical evaluation of cosmetic formulations, interview questions indicated that the formulations did not harm the skin [PMID:22882649].

Synthèse des preuves

The evidence consists primarily of in vitro studies (D) and animal models (D), with one clinical trial (B) focusing on cosmetic skin fluorescence. There is no high-level clinical evidence (A) for systemic therapeutic use in humans.

Sources PubMed

1.PMID: 35396859 (2022) — Harpephyllum caffrum fruit (wild plum) facilitates glucose uptake and modulates metabolic activities linked to neurodegeneration in isolated rat brain: An in vitro and in silico approach. · Journal of food biochemistry
2.PMID: 35744961 (2022) — New Alk(en)ylhydroxycyclohexanes with Tyrosinase Inhibition Potential from Harpephyllum caffrum Bernh. Gum Exudate. · Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
3.PMID: 22262932 (2011) — Bioactive constituents from Harpephyllum caffrum Bernh. and Rhus coriaria L. · Pharmacognosy magazine
4.PMID: 35761644 (2022) — Phenolic profiling and antioxidant evaluation of extracts from Southern African indigenous fruits byproducts. · Food research international (Ottawa, Ont.)
5.PMID: 16733599 (2006) — Hypoglycaemic and hypotensive effects of Harpephyllum caffrum Bernh ex CF Krauss (Anacardiaceae) stem-bark aqueous extract in rats.

Harpephyllum Caffrum

Sources et citations

Calculer une dose sûre de Harpephyllum Caffrum