Zanthoxylum Chalybeum (Zanthoxylum chalybeum): Benefits, Dosage, Safety & Evidence

Questions fréquentes

How does Zanthoxylum chalybeum work to treat malaria?

Zanthoxylum chalybeum contains bioactive alkaloids, particularly berberine and chelerythrine, which demonstrate antimalarial properties through multiple mechanisms. These compounds interfere with parasite metabolism and may inhibit Plasmodium growth. The plant also contains lupeol and tannins that contribute to its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects. Traditional use across East Africa supports these applications, though clinical evidence remains limited (Evidence Level C).

Can Zanthoxylum chalybeum interact with blood pressure medications?

Yes, Zanthoxylum chalybeum may interact with antihypertensive medications. The herb has been associated with possible hypotension as a side effect, meaning it can lower blood pressure. When combined with blood pressure-lowering medications, this effect may be additive, potentially causing dangerously low blood pressure. Patients taking medications for hypertension should avoid this herb or consult a healthcare provider before use.

What is the recommended dosage for Zanthoxylum chalybeum root bark?

The traditional adult dosage for Zanthoxylum chalybeum is one cup of root bark decoction taken twice daily. To prepare, the root bark is boiled in water and strained before consumption. This preparation is commonly used in Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania for conditions including malaria, rheumatism, and infections. Dosage may vary based on individual factors, and standardized clinical dosing guidelines are not established (Evidence Level C).

Is Zanthoxylum chalybeum safe during pregnancy?

No, Zanthoxylum chalybeum is considered unsafe during pregnancy. The plant contains alkaloids such as berberine and chelerythrine, which may stimulate uterine contractions or cause harm to fetal development. Traditional knowledge and available evidence contraindicate its use in pregnant women. Women who are pregnant or planning pregnancy should avoid all preparations of this herb, including decoctions and extracts.

What are the side effects of Zanthoxylum chalybeum?

Zanthoxylum chalybeum may cause gastric irritation, including stomach upset, nausea, or digestive discomfort, particularly when taken on an empty stomach. The herb has also been associated with possible hypotension, which may cause dizziness or lightheadedness. These effects are primarily based on traditional use reports and limited pharmacological studies. Users should monitor for adverse reactions and discontinue use if symptoms occur.

What is Zanthoxylum chalybeum used for in traditional medicine?

Zanthoxylum chalybeum is traditionally used across East Africa—particularly in Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania—for treating malaria, sexually transmitted infections, rheumatic pain, and fever. The spiny tree's root bark is prepared as a decoction and valued for its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. It is also used as a general tonic. These applications are supported by ethnobotanical knowledge and preliminary phytochemical studies (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

Zanthoxylum chalybeum is an African medicinal plant used traditionally to treat diabetes and malaria [PMID:37944876, PMID:26705665].

Contexte

Zanthoxylum chalybeum Engl. (Rutaceae) is a plant endemic to Africa [PMID:37944876].

Usages traditionnels

Traditionally used to treat diabetes mellitus [PMID:37944876], malaria [PMID:26705665, PMID:27019273], HIV/AIDS [PMID:33935707, PMID:38845918], and oral/dental diseases [PMID:24945400]. It has also been cited in surveys regarding breast cancer treatment in Central Uganda [PMID:36919184].

Composés actifs

Identified compounds include alkaloids such as skimmianine [PMID:12789119, PMID:12789127], norchelerythrine, 6-acetonyldihydrochelerythrine, 6-hydroxy-N-methyldecarine [PMID:36976158], and fagaramide [PMID:32889048, PMID:30896260]. Other constituents include amides (chalybemide A, B, and C), lignans (ailanthoidol, sesamine), and triterpenoids (lupeol, lupanone) [PMID:32889048].

Mécanisme d'action

Alkaloids from Z. chalybeum exhibit mixed inhibition of α-glucosidase and α-amylase [PMID:36976158]. Root derivatives have been shown to inhibit acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in mosquito larvae [PMID:34446188].

Preuves cliniques

Preuve DDiabetes Mellitus

Aqueous root bark extract significantly reduced blood glucose in alloxan-induced diabetic rats [PMID:27069932].

Preuve DMalaria

Root bark extracts demonstrated in vitro antiplasmodial activity against both chloroquine-sensitive and resistant strains of P. falciparum [PMID:20035853].

Preuve DBacterial Infections

Pulp juice showed activity against bacteria associated with periodontal diseases and dental caries [PMID:24945400]; stem bark extracts inhibited S. aureus and E. faecium [PMID:32686689].

Preuve DMeasles Virus

Seed extracts demonstrated in vitro antiviral activity, attributed to the alkaloid skimmianine [PMID:12789108].

Sécurité et effets indésirables

Acute oral toxicity tests in mice at 2000 mg/kg of crude extracts showed no signs of toxicity [PMID:26705665]. However, some extracts showed signs of acute toxicity in brine shrimp lethality tests [PMID:26705665].

Synthèse des preuves

The current evidence is primarily based on in vitro assays and animal models (Level D), with no human clinical trials provided in the abstracts.

Sources PubMed

1.PMID: 34446188 (2021) — Neurotoxic Zanthoxylum chalybeum root constituents invoke mosquito larval growth retardation through ecdysteroidogenic CYP450s transcriptional perturbations. · Pesticide biochemistry and physiology
2.PMID: 36976158 (2023) — Inhibition Kinetics and Theoretical Studies on Zanthoxylum chalybeum Engl. Dual Inhibitors of α-Glucosidase and α-Amylase. · Journal of xenobiotics
3.PMID: 37944876 (2024) — Pancreatic beta cell regenerative potential of Zanthoxylum chalybeum Engl. Aqueous stem bark extract. · Journal of ethnopharmacology
4.PMID: 32889048 (2020) — α-Amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitors from Zanthoxylum chalybeum Engl. root bark. · Fitoterapia
5.PMID: 27019273 (2016) — Antiplasmodial activity and phytochemical analysis of extracts from selected Ugandan medicinal plants.

Zanthoxylum Chalybeum

Sources et citations

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