PubMed-compiled information sheet
This sheet was compiled from PubMed (NIH) abstracts using AI assistance. Every factual claim is cited to a real PubMed article (see the source list). It has not yet been human-reviewed — confirm with a healthcare provider before use.
Compiled from 30 PubMed articles · model: gemma4:31b
Summary
Amorpha canescens, also known as leadplant, is a tallgrass prairie legume [PMID:19707794, PMID:24933822]. It is recognized as a traditional American Indian herb [PMID:35465454].
Background
Amorpha canescens (Fabaceae) is a common tallgrass prairie forb found in regions such as Iowa and Minnesota [PMID:19707794]. It forms symbiotic relationships with rhizobia bacteria and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi to facilitate growth and nitrogen fixation [PMID:24933822, PMID:22539505].
Traditional uses
It is described as a traditional American Indian herb [PMID:35465454].
Active compounds
The plant contains isoflavonoids, specifically xanthocerin A and the newly identified xanthocerin J [PMID:35465454]. Essential oil analysis of the leaves, inflorescences, and fruits identified over 100 compounds, with primary constituents including germacrene D, germacrene D-4-ol, and β-elemol [PMID:25452264].
Mechanism of action
Isoflavonoids isolated from A. canescens (xanthocerin A and J) bind to the estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) and exhibited dose-dependent antiestrogenic activity in the in vitro Ishikawa assay, although they did not show activity in the cell-based Ishikawa assay [PMID:35465454].
Clinical evidence
Evidence DWomen's health (estrogen pathways)
In vitro assays showed that isoflavonoids from A. canescens bind to ERα and exhibit antiestrogenic activity, suggesting potential for future discovery of compounds for women's health [PMID:35465454]
Evidence summary
The current evidence is limited to phytochemical characterization and in vitro pharmacological screening (Level D). No clinical trials or human studies are available.
PubMed sources
- 1.PMID: 35465454 (2021) — Isolation and elucidation of two isoflavonoids from an American Indian plant, Amorpha canescens Pursh, using Magnetic Microbead Affinity Selection Screening (MagMASS) for estrogen receptor alpha ligands. · Phytochemistry letters
- 2.PMID: 19707794 (2009) — Reproduction of Amorpha canescens (Fabaceae) and diversity of its bee community in a fragmented landscape. · Oecologia
- 3.PMID: 25452264 (2014) — Chemical composition of the essential oil of Amorpha canescens Pursh. · Journal of oleo science
- 4.PMID: 24933822 (2014) — Synergism and context dependency of interactions between arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and rhizobia with a prairie legume. · Ecology
- 5.PMID: 22539505 (2012) — Growth responses, biomass partitioning, and nitrogen isotopes of prairie legumes in response to elevated temperature and varying nitrogen source in a growth chamber experiment.