Lactuca serriola (Lactuca serriola): Benefits, Dosage, Safety & Evidence

Questions fréquentes

How does Lactuca serriola work as a sedative?

Lactuca serriola contains lactucin and lactucopicrin, bitter sesquiterpene lactones that act on the central nervous system to produce mild sedative and analgesic effects. These compounds are thought to modulate GABA receptors and reduce neural excitability, though the exact mechanism remains poorly understood. The herb has been used traditionally as 'lettuce opium' for its calming properties. Evidence level: C (preliminary research and traditional use).

Does Lactuca serriola interact with any medications?

Yes, Lactuca serriola may interact with central nervous system depressants, including benzodiazepines, barbiturates, and sleep medications. Combining this herb with sedative drugs may cause additive drowsiness, excessive sedation, or respiratory depression. Avoid concurrent use with antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, or any CNS depressants. Consult a healthcare provider before combining with prescription medications. Evidence level: C (theoretical interactions based on pharmacological profile).

What is the recommended dosage of Lactuca serriola?

The typical adult dosage is 2-4 grams of dried herb prepared as a tea, taken once or twice daily. For tinctures, follow manufacturer instructions as concentrations vary. Start with the lowest effective dose to assess tolerance. Traditional preparations often used fresh or dried aerial parts harvested before flowering. Evidence level: C (traditional use recommendations; no standardized clinical dosing established).

Is Lactuca serriola safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding?

No, Lactuca serriola is considered unsafe during pregnancy and breastfeeding. The herb's sedative compounds may cross the placenta and affect fetal development, and insufficient safety data exists for lactation. Traditional use suggests avoiding it entirely during conception, pregnancy, and nursing. Women who are pregnant or planning pregnancy should consult a qualified healthcare provider before use. Evidence level: C (traditional contraindication; insufficient clinical safety data).

What are the side effects of Lactuca serriola?

Lactuca serriola may cause mild drowsiness as its primary side effect. At recommended doses, adverse effects are generally minimal. Excessive consumption may lead to increased sedation, dizziness, or gastrointestinal discomfort. Discontinue use if you experience unusual symptoms and seek medical advice. This herb should not be used when driving or operating machinery due to potential impairment. Evidence level: C (traditional use data).

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

Lactuca serriola, known as prickly lettuce, is a highly invasive wild relative of cultivated lettuce with documented traditional medicinal uses and potential pharmacological activities [PMID:34685964, PMID:33879443].

Contexte

Lactuca serriola L. is an annual and biennial herb and a highly invasive C3 weed found in countries including the USA, Canada, and Australia [PMID:33879443, PMID:34685964]. It is characterized by high water use efficiency under drought conditions and is believed to be the single wild ancestor from which cultivated lettuce (Lactuca sativa) was domesticated [PMID:34685964, PMID:38886807].

Usages traditionnels

The plant has been traditionally used in folk medicine as a sedative, hypnotic, cough suppressant, expectorant, purgative, diuretic, vasorelaxant, demulcent, antiseptic, and antispasmodic [PMID:33879443, PMID:23662127].

Composés actifs

Chemical analysis of L. serriola reveals volatile compounds including aldehydes and terpenoids in leaves (major compound phenylacetaldehyde) and 2-ethyl hexanol in roots [PMID:36780447]. Volatile oils from Egyptian ecospecies contain oxygenated sesquiterpenes and diterpenes, specifically isoshyobunone, isocembrol, and alloaromadendrene oxide-1 [PMID:31207097]. Fatty acid profiles show nonadecanoic acid predominates in leaves and linoleic acid in seeds [PMID:36780447]. The plant also synthesizes long-chain natural rubber [PMID:25513853].

Mécanisme d'action

In isolated rabbit jejunum preparations, a methanol extract of L. serriola exhibited concentration-dependent spasmogenic effects at 0.03 to 3.0 mg/mL and a complete spasmolytic effect at 5.0 mg/mL, with the contractile response suppressed by atropine [PMID:23662127].

Preuves cliniques

Preuve DParacetamol-induced hepatotoxicity

Pre-treatment with L. serriola methanolic extract caused restoration of hepatic biomarkers, blood lipid profile, and antioxidant enzymes [PMID:33879443]

Preuve DAnxiety and Epilepsy (Mice model)

Seed extracts (n-hexane, chloroform, methanol, and aqueous) significantly reduced head dipping in hole-board tests and increased duration of open arm stay in elevated plus maze; n-hexane extract (400 mg/kg) showed 96.34% reduction in head dipping [PMID:36421417]

Synthèse des preuves

The current evidence is based on in vitro studies, animal models (mice and rabbits), and phytochemical analyses; there are no human clinical trials available in the provided data.

Sources PubMed

1.PMID: 36014022 (2022) — Genotype-Specific Plastic Responses to Seed Bacteria under Drought Stress in Lactuca serriola. · Microorganisms
2.PMID: 34685964 (2021) — Biology, Ecology, Distribution and Control of the Invasive Weed, Lactuca serriola L. (Wild Lettuce): A Global Review. · Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
3.PMID: 36780447 (2023) — Chemical composition of different plant part from Lactuca serriola L. - focus on volatile compounds and fatty acid profile. · Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung. C, Journal of biosciences
4.PMID: 30251420 (2019) — Recognition of lettuce downy mildew effector BLR38 in Lactuca serriola LS102 requires two unlinked loci. · Molecular plant pathology
5.PMID: 28172969 (2017) — Molecular Biogeography of Prickly Lettuce (Lactuca serriola L.) Shows Traces of Recent Range Expansion.

Lactuca serriola

Sources et citations

Calculer une dose sûre de Lactuca serriola