Carissa African (Carissa edulis): Benefits, Dosage, Safety & Evidence

Frequently asked questions

How does Carissa edulis work in the body?

Carissa edulis contains active compounds such as cardiac glycosides, flavonoids, and lignans. The cardiac glycosides influence heart muscle contraction, which explains its traditional use for chest pain, while the flavonoids and tannins offer antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects. These mechanisms support its use for infections and heart-related discomfort, though clinical evidence remains limited (Evidence level: C).

Does Carissa edulis interact with heart medications?

Yes, significant interactions are possible. Because Carissa edulis contains cardiac glycosides, taking it alongside prescription heart medications like digoxin or anti-arrhythmics can lead to additive effects, increasing the risk of toxicity and irregular heartbeats. Patients on heart medication should avoid this herb unless strictly monitored by a physician (Evidence level: C).

What is the correct dosage for Carissa edulis root?

The standard adult dosage for Carissa edulis is 2 to 4 grams of the root prepared as a daily decoction. To prepare, the root material is boiled in water to extract medicinal compounds. Exceeding this dosage increases the risk of adverse cardiac effects, so users should exercise caution and seek professional advice (Evidence level: Traditional).

Is Carissa edulis safe to use during pregnancy?

No, Carissa edulis is considered unsafe during pregnancy. The herb contains cardiac glycosides and other potent constituents that may harm fetal development or stimulate uterine contractions. Due to these potential risks, pregnant and breastfeeding women are strongly advised to avoid using this plant for medicinal purposes (Evidence level: C).

What are the side effects of Carissa African?

Common side effects of Carissa edulis primarily involve gastrointestinal upset, including nausea or stomach discomfort. At high doses, the herb can induce serious cardiac effects, such as arrhythmias, due to its cardiac glycoside content. Users should monitor for heart palpitations and discontinue use immediately if symptoms occur (Evidence level: C).

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

Carissa edulis is a medicinal plant used in African pharmacopeia with demonstrated antioxidant, neuroprotective, and anticonvulsant properties [PMID:40162365, 31330950, 18822365].

Background

Carissa edulis (also known as simple-spined num-num) is a plant distributed in tropical Africa and Asia [PMID:31930853, 31330950]. It is utilized in various traditional medicine systems, including those of Nigeria, Benin, Kenya, and Yemen [PMID:25856720, 35977457, 8145572, 31930853].

Traditional uses

Traditionally used to manage epilepsy, cancer, inflammation, fever, headache, cough, rheumatism, chest complaints, gonorrhoea, syphilis, rabies, and as a diuretic [PMID:25856720, 31930853, 15374607]. In Kenya, it is also used as a dye and for edible roots [PMID:8145572].

Active compounds

Identified compounds include phenolic acids (quinic acid, protocatechuoyl-hexose, neochlorogenic acid, chlorogenic acid, cryptochlorogenic acid, and dicaffeoylquinic acid) and flavonoids (rutin, catechin) [PMID:31330950]. Root barks contain carissaedulosides A-J (apiosylated phenylpropanoids, a coumarin-secoiridoid hybrid, and furofuran lignans), as well as cardenolides [PMID:32717694]. Other constituents include alkaloids [PMID:29439737], tannins [PMID:31223295], and 2-hydroxyacetophenone as a principal root volatile [PMID:6533264].

Mechanism of action

The plant induces endothelium-dependent relaxation of coronary artery rings involving nitric oxide [PMID:35977457]. It exhibits neuroprotective effects against L-glutamic acid-induced neurotoxicity and scopolamine-induced memory impairment by modulating oxidative stress and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity [PMID:40162365, 32934845].

Clinical evidence

Evidence DConvulsions/Epilepsy

Root bark extract produced 40% protection against PTZ-induced convulsions at 5 mg/kg in mice [PMID:18822365].

Evidence DNeurotoxicity/Memory Loss

Aqueous extract exhibited protective effects against L-glutamic acid-induced neurotoxicity in mice [PMID:40162365] and improved learning and memory in scopolamine-induced impairment models [PMID:32934845].

Evidence DCancer

Ethylacetate extracts showed antiproliferative activity against human breast (HCC 1395) and prostate cancer cells [PMID:37489007]; specific glycosides (carissaedulosides) showed cytotoxicity against A549 and MCF-7 cell lines [PMID:32717694].

Evidence DHypertension

Aqueous-ethanolic extracts of aerial parts induced endothelium-dependent relaxation of porcine coronary artery rings [PMID:35977457].

Evidence DHepatotoxicity

Ethanolic extract provided a protective role against dimethoate-induced liver injury in guinea pigs [PMID:31930853].

Evidence D

Safety & adverse effects

The oral median lethal dose (LD50) of root bark extract in rats was determined to be over 5000 mg/kg [PMID:18822365]. Intraperitoneal LD50 was reported as 282.8 mg/kg [PMID:18822365].

Evidence summary

The current evidence is based entirely on in vitro cell assays and animal models (mice, rats, guinea pigs, chicks); there are no human clinical trials provided. Evidence strength is low (Level D).

PubMed sources

1.PMID: 31330950 (2019) — Polyphenolic and Physicochemical Properties of Simple-Spined Num-Num (Carissa edulis) Fruit Harvested at Ripe Stage of Maturation. · Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
2.PMID: 40162365 (2025) — Therapeutic effects of Carissa edulis aqueous extract against L-glutamic acid-induced neurotoxicity in brain mice. · IBRO neuroscience reports
3.PMID: 18822365 (2008) — Anticonvulsant activity of Carissa edulis (Vahl) (Apocynaceae) root bark extract. · Journal of ethnopharmacology
4.PMID: 35977457 (2022) — Carissa edulis Vahl (Apocynaceae) extract, a medicinal plant of Benin pharmacopoeia, induces potent endothelium-dependent relaxation of coronary artery rings involving nitric oxide. · Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
5.PMID: 37489007 (2023) — In Vitro Antiproliferative Effects and Phytochemical Characterization of Carissa edulis ((Forssk) Vahl) and Pappea capensis (Eckyl and Zeyh) Extracts.

Carissa African

Sources & Citations

Calculate a safe dose of Carissa African

Piper sarmentosum

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Jambu

Frequently asked questions

Summary

Background

Traditional uses

Active compounds

Mechanism of action

Clinical evidence

Safety & adverse effects

Evidence summary

PubMed sources

Government sources

Carissa African

Sources & Citations

Calculate a safe dose of Carissa African

Related Herbs

Piper sarmentosum

Crossopteryx febrifuga

Jambu

Frequently asked questions

Summary

Background

Traditional uses

Active compounds

Mechanism of action

Clinical evidence

Safety & adverse effects

Evidence summary

PubMed sources

Government sources