Ce produit n'est pas destiné à diagnostiquer, traiter, guérir ou prévenir toute maladie. Ces déclarations n'ont pas été évaluées par la Food and Drug Administration.
Ces informations sont fournies à titre éducatif uniquement et ne remplacent pas un avis médical professionnel, un diagnostic ou un traitement. Consultez toujours votre professionnel de santé avant d'utiliser des plantes, surtout si vous êtes enceinte, allaitez, prenez des médicaments ou avez une condition médicale.
Leucaena leucocephala contains flavonoids and saponins that may inhibit carbohydrate-digesting enzymes, slowing glucose absorption in the digestive tract. Mimosine, the primary alkaloid, may influence glucose metabolism pathways. The plant's tannin content may also reduce oxidative stress associated with diabetes. However, evidence is limited to animal and in vitro studies (Evidence Level C), with no substantial human clinical trials confirming these mechanisms. More research is needed to fully understand the anti-diabetic action.
Does Leucaena leucocephala interact with diabetes medications?
Leucaena leucocephala may potentially interact with antidiabetic medications like metformin, insulin, or sulfonylureas. The plant's blood sugar-lowering effects could theoretically cause additive effects, increasing the risk of hypoglycemia when combined with pharmaceutical diabetes drugs. No formal human drug interaction studies exist (Evidence Level D). Patients taking diabetes medications should monitor blood glucose closely and consult a healthcare provider before using Leucaena products. The mimosine content may also affect thyroid function, warranting caution with thyroid medications.
What is the recommended dosage of Leucaena leucocephala for diabetes?
No standardized dosage exists for Leucaena leucocephala due to limited clinical research (Evidence Level C). Traditional use involves consuming young pods as a food source, similar to other legumes. Seed tea preparations have been used in folk medicine, typically 1-2 cups daily, though this should be approached cautiously. Mimosine toxicity is a concern with excessive consumption, so intake should be moderate. Patients should follow product-specific instructions or consult a qualified herbalist, as individual needs vary based on health status and concurrent medications.
Is Leucaena leucocephala safe during pregnancy?
Leucaena leucocephala should be avoided during pregnancy despite some sources listing it as generally safe for consumption. The plant contains mimosine, which has been associated with reproductive effects, and was historically used as a contraceptive in some cultures. Animal studies suggest potential effects on fetal development (Evidence Level C). The goitrogenic compounds may also impact thyroid function during pregnancy. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should not consume Leucaena seeds or medicinal preparations. Young pods as occasional food may pose less risk, but caution is still strongly advised.
What are the side effects of Leucaena leucocephala?
The primary side effect of Leucaena leucocephala is mimosine toxicity, which can cause hair loss (alopecia) with excessive consumption. Mimosine interferes with cell division in hair follicles. Other reported effects include thyroid dysfunction due to goitrogenic compounds, digestive upset, and reduced appetite. In animals, high intake has caused reproductive problems and growth issues. Traditional processing methods like cooking and soaking can reduce mimosine content. Moderate consumption of young pods is generally well-tolerated, but seed preparations carry higher risks (Evidence Level C).
What are the traditional uses of Leucaena leucocephala seeds?
Leucaena leucocephala seeds have been used in folk medicine across tropical regions for several purposes. Traditional applications include managing diabetes and lowering blood sugar, expelling intestinal worms (anthelmintic use), and historically as a form of birth control. Young pods and leaves are consumed as food in Southeast Asia and other tropical areas. The plant has also been applied traditionally for wound healing and inflammation. However, these uses are supported primarily by traditional knowledge and preliminary research (Evidence Level C), not rigorous human clinical trials.
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
Leucaena leucocephala is a multipurpose leguminous tree native to Mexico and Central America, now naturalized in over 130 countries [PMID:35807624]. It is recognized as one of the world's 100 worst invasive alien species [PMID:35807624, PMID:40509340].
Contexte
Also known as green guaje or subabul, this species is used for fodder, timber, paper pulp, shade trees, and soil amendment [PMID:39515165, PMID:35807624]. It is an aggressive colonizer that can threaten native plant communities through allelopathy [PMID:35807624, PMID:37851768].
Usages traditionnels
Used as animal and human food worldwide [PMID:36905965].
Composés actifs
The plant contains L-mimosine, a non-protein amino acid found in all parts, particularly seeds and leaves [PMID:35508843, PMID:40509340]. Other constituents include flavonoids (such as quercetin, quercetin-3-O-α-rhamnopyranoside, and myricetin-3-O-α-rhamnopyranoside) [PMID:29953227], condensed tannins [PMID:32778099], and galactomannans in the seeds [PMID:42279677, PMID:37020405].
Mécanisme d'action
L-mimosine acts by chelating metal ions, which can interfere with cell proliferative activity, block DNA replication, inactivate essential enzymes, and induce oxidative stress [PMID:36905965, PMID:40509340]. Certain isolated flavonoids demonstrate anti-inflammatory activity and the potential to induce the expression of erythropoietin (EPO) [PMID:29953227].
Preuves cliniques
Preuve DOxidative stress and inflammation
Ultrafiltered fractions from simulated gastrointestinal digestion of L. leucocephala proteins showed potential as radical scavengers [PMID:39515165]
Preuve DCestode infection (Hymenolepis nana)
Isolated compounds 132-hydroxy-(132-S)-pheophytin a and aristophyll-C showed cestocidal effects in vitro; 132-hydroxy-(132-S)-pheophytin a reduced parasite populations and elicited host immune responses in mice [PMID:35878385]
Leaf pellets reduced egg excretions and larval development in goat kids when incorporated at 50% of dry matter intake [PMID:32778099]
Sécurité et effets indésirables
L-mimosine is toxic to herbivorous mammals, insects, and fungi [PMID:40509340]. In horses, poisoning causes moderate to severe hair loss (mane and tail), orthokeratotic hyperkeratosis, and hyperplasia of thyroid follicular cells [PMID:38382883]. In ringtailed lemurs, ingestion is associated with a seasonal syndrome of alopecia [PMID:25809223]. General toxic effects include infertility, low birth weight, and organ toxicity [PMID:25809223].
Grossesse et allaitement
In female rats, Leucaena extract disrupted the estrous cycle and has been reported to cause abortion in female goats and pigs, as well as dead fetuses and fetal resorption in pregnant rats [PMID:31533020].
Synthèse des preuves
The available evidence is primarily based on in vitro studies, animal models (rats, mice, goats, horses, lemurs), and botanical reviews. There are no human clinical trials provided.
Sources PubMed
1.PMID: 38382883 (2024) — Leucaena leucocephala toxicity in Brazilian horses. · Toxicon : official journal of the International Society on Toxinology
2.PMID: 39515165 (2025) — Green guaje (Leucaena leucocephala) and pigmented guaje (Leucaena esculenta) as sources of antioxidant and immunomodulatory peptides. · Food chemistry
3.PMID: 39399369 (2024) — Skin Prick Tests and Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assays among Allergic Patients Using Allergenic Local Pollen Extracts. · Acta medica Philippina
4.PMID: 35807624 (2022) — Allelopathy and Allelochemicals of Leucaenaleucocephala as an Invasive Plant Species. · Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
5.PMID: 35508843 (2022) — Methods of Mimosine Extraction from Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit Leaves. · Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.)
Sources gouvernementales
Aucune monographie gouvernementale directe n'est disponible pour cette plante. Le contenu ci-dessous est généré par IA et n'a pas été vérifié par rapport à une source gouvernementale faisant autorité. Utilisez les liens de recherche pour consulter les sources officielles avant de vous fier à ces informations.
6.PMID: 32950525 (2020) — Research progress in galactomannan-based nanomaterials: Synthesis and application. · International journal of biological macromolecules
7.PMID: 37851768 (2023) — Allelopathic potential of Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit leaf extracts on native species. · Brazilian journal of biology = Revista brasleira de biologia
8.PMID: 34438688 (2021) — A Multipurpose Leguminous Plant for the Mediterranean Countries: Leucaena leucocephala as an Alternative Protein Source: A Review. · Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
9.PMID: 35429803 (2022) — Heterologous expression and characterization of a thermoalkaliphilic SAM-synthetase from giant leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala subsp glabrata). · Plant physiology and biochemistry : PPB
10.PMID: 34643791 (2021) — Effect of supplementing Leucaena leucocephala leaves alone or in conjunction with malic acid on nutrient utilization, performance traits, and enteric methane emission in crossbred calves under tropical conditions. · Tropical animal health and production
11.PMID: 42279677 (2026) — Prebiotic Potential of Oligosaccharides and Polysaccharides Extracted from Leucaena leucocephala Seeds. · Foods (Basel, Switzerland)
12.PMID: 40013300 (2024) — In vitro ruminal fermentation, methane emissions, and nutritional value of different tropical feedstuffs for ruminants. · Journal of advanced veterinary and animal research
13.PMID: 31533020 (2019) — Leucaena leucocephala extract has estrogenic and antiestrogenic actions on female rat reproduction. · Physiology & behavior
14.PMID: 40509340 (2025) — Evolution of the Defense Compounds Against Biotic Stressors in the Invasive Plant Species Leucaena leucocephala. · Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
15.PMID: 25809223 (2015) — Systemic effects of Leucaena leucocephala ingestion on ringtailed lemurs (Lemur catta) at Berenty Reserve, Madagascar. · American journal of primatology
16.PMID: 41531698 (2025) — Cross-reactive IgE-binding Proteins from Philippine Allergenic Weeds and Trees Pollen Extracts. · Acta medica Philippina
17.PMID: 32778099 (2020) — Evaluation of nutraceutical properties of Leucaena leucocephala leaf pellets fed to goat kids infected with Haemonchus contortus. · BMC veterinary research
18.PMID: 37294492 (2023) — Root development in Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit enhances copper accumulation. · Environmental science and pollution research international
19.PMID: 37221313 (2023) — Effect of increasing levels of Leucaena leucocephala seeds to grass pellets on performance of grower rabbits. · Tropical animal health and production
20.PMID: 35878385 (2022) — Therapeutic Effect and Immune Changes after Treatment of Hymenolepis nana-Infected BALB/c Mice with Compounds Isolated from Leucaena leucocephala. · Veterinary sciences
21.PMID: 20563643 (2010) — The value of Leucaena leucocephala bark in leucaena-grass hay diets for Thai goats. · Tropical animal health and production
22.PMID: 35736090 (2022) — Diversity, Succession and Seasonal Variation of Phylloplane Mycoflora of Leucaena leucocephala in Relation to Its Leaf Litter Decomposition. · Journal of fungi (Basel, Switzerland)
23.PMID: 36855361 (2023) — Supplementation of Water Spinach (Ipomoea aquatica) on the utilization of Mimosa pigra and Leucaena leucocephala leaf for in vitro fermentation. · Veterinary world
24.PMID: 29953227 (2018) — Flavonoids, a Potential New Insight of Leucaena leucocephala Foliage in Ruminant Health. · Journal of agricultural and food chemistry
25.PMID: 37020405 (2023) — Porous hydrogel composite with whey protein isolate and galactomannans of Leucaena leucocephala (subabul) seeds: Stability, rheological, thermal, and morphological characterization. · Journal of food science
26.PMID: 11866119 (2002) — Leaf-closing substance in Leucaena leucocephala. · Bioscience, biotechnology, and biochemistry
27.PMID: 36905965 (2023) — Potential immunomodulatory response associated with L-mimosine in male Wistar rats. · Toxicon : official journal of the International Society on Toxinology
28.PMID: 31767155 (2020) — The Mimosoid tree Leucaena leucocephala can be nodulated by the symbiovar genistearum of Bradyrhizobium canariense. · Systematic and applied microbiology
29.PMID: 22247853 (2010) — Studies on some physicochemical properties of leucaena leucocephala bark gum. · Journal of advanced pharmaceutical technology & research
30.PMID: 35747246 (2022) — Alien invasive Leucaena leucocephala successfully acquires nutrients by investing in below-ground biomass compared to native Vachellia nilotica in nutrient-amended soils in South Africa. · AoB PLANTS