Cassytha Filiformis (Cassytha filiformis): Benefits, Dosage, Safety & Evidence

Frequently asked questions

How does Cassytha filiformis work for high blood pressure?

Cassytha filiformis contains alkaloids such as cassythine and actinodaphnine, which are thought to exert hypotensive effects. These compounds may influence the cardiovascular system to lower blood pressure, though the precise mechanism requires further study. Additionally, the herb acts as a diuretic, promoting fluid excretion which can further reduce blood pressure. However, specific clinical trials confirming these mechanisms are lacking (Evidence Level C).

Does Cassytha filiformis interact with blood pressure medication?

Yes, Cassytha filiformis may interact with antihypertensive drugs. Because the herb naturally lowers blood pressure, combining it with prescription medications may result in additive effects, potentially causing hypotension (dangerously low blood pressure). Furthermore, due to its potential cardiac effects, it should be avoided by those with heart conditions. Consult a doctor before use if you are taking heart or blood pressure medications.

What is the recommended dosage for Cassytha filiformis?

The traditional adult dosage for Cassytha filiformis is a decoction of approximately 200ml, taken two to three times daily. This preparation is commonly used for managing hypertension and kidney conditions. Due to the risk of cardiac side effects at higher doses and limited clinical standardization (Evidence Level C), users should strictly follow traditional guidelines and seek professional advice before use.

Is Cassytha filiformis safe during pregnancy?

No, Cassytha filiformis is unsafe during pregnancy. The plant contains alkaloids that may stimulate uterine contractions or cause fetal toxicity. It is strictly contraindicated for pregnant women and should also be avoided by those with cardiac conditions and children. Due to these significant safety concerns, alternative treatments should be sought for conditions like hypertension or skin issues during pregnancy.

What are the side effects of Cassytha filiformis?

Reported side effects of Cassytha filiformis primarily include nausea and gastrointestinal upset. More seriously, high doses can induce cardiac effects, such as arrhythmias, due to the presence of alkaloids like norpluviine. Because of these risks, individuals with pre-existing heart disease should avoid this herb. It is essential to adhere to recommended dosages to minimize the risk of adverse cardiovascular events.

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 28 PubMed articles · model: gemma4:31b

Summary

Cassytha filiformis, also known as laurel dodder or love vine, is a pan-tropical stem hemiparasite of the Lauraceae family used in various traditional medicinal practices [PMID:35734256].

Background

Cassytha filiformis is a stem hemiparasitic plant that establishes endophytic connections with host plants via haustoria [PMID:35734256, PMID:39234477]. It is widely distributed and can infect a range of native and introduced shrubs and tree species [PMID:35734256, PMID:39045287].

Traditional uses

Used in African folk medicine to treat cancer, African trypanosomiasis, and other diseases [PMID:15124084]. In Benin, it is used in traditional medicine for male infertility [PMID:33178266] and urinary tract infections [PMID:41743325]. It is also used as a folkloric herbal medicine for type 2 diabetes mellitus [PMID:41471787]. In Nigeria, it is found in traditional antimalarial formulations [PMID:24701246].

Active compounds

The plant contains aporphine alkaloids, including neolitsine, dicentrine, cassythine (cassyfiline), actinodaphnine [PMID:12451500], cassyformine, filiformine [PMID:9677264], isofiliformine, and cassythic acid [PMID:18217715]. Other identified compounds include the oxidized aporphine alkaloid filiforidine [PMID:41471787], 10-demethylcassythine, 3-demethylcassythine, and N-demethyllastourvilline [PMID:41375141], as well as flavonoids, glycosides, saponosides, tannins, and lignans such as (+)-diasyringaresinol [PMID:9677264, PMID:41743325].

Mechanism of action

Ocoteine acts as an alpha 1-adrenoceptor antagonist in rat thoracic aorta [PMID:9127815]. Certain aporphine alkaloids have demonstrated the ability to increase glucose consumption in HepG2 cells [PMID:41375141, PMID:41471787].

Clinical evidence

Evidence DDiarrhoegenic bacterial infections

Extracts showed activity against Salmonella typhi, Shigellae dysenteriae, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus (MIC 3.125 to 12.5 mg/mL), but combination with P. santalinoides or A. cordifolia was found to be counterproductive and antagonistic [PMID:31590691]

Evidence DCancer (In vitro)

Aporphine alkaloids (neolitsine, cassythine, actinodaphnine) exhibited cytotoxic activities against HeLa, 3T3, Mel-5, and HL-60 cell lines [PMID:12451500]

Evidence DAfrican trypanosomiasis (In vitro)

Actinodaphnine, cassythine, and dicentrine were active against Trypanosoma brucei brucei (IC50 = 3-15 microM) [PMID:15124084]

Evidence DVasorelaxation

Cassythic acid, cassythine, neolitsine, and dicentrine showed potent vasorelaxing effects on precontracted rat aortic preparations [PMID:18217715]

Evidence DNeurodegeneration (Pre-clinical)

Methanolic extract and isolated compounds AC-2 and AC-4 showed potential neuroprotective effects, improving cognitive behavior in Morris water maze tests and modulating antioxidant and anti-inflammatory parameters [PMID:42312520]

Drug interactions

In vitro tests on Caco-2 monolayers indicated that C. filiformis extract may modulate the efflux ratio of glibenclamide [PMID:31350736].

Evidence summary

The current evidence is primarily based on in vitro studies, animal models, and phytochemical analyses (Level D). There are no human clinical trials provided in the abstracts.

PubMed sources

1.PMID: 35734256 (2022) — The Angiosperm Stem Hemiparasitic Genus Cassytha (Lauraceae) and Its Host Interactions: A Review. · Frontiers in plant science
2.PMID: 39234477 (2024) — Host Selectivity and Distribution of Cassytha filiformis in the Coastal Bornean Heath Forests. · Tropical life sciences research
3.PMID: 12451500 (2002) — Cytotoxic aporphine alkaloids from Cassytha filiformis. · Planta medica
4.PMID: 32189025 (2020) — Horizontal Gene Transfer has Impacted cox1 Gene Evolution in Cassytha filiformis. · Journal of molecular evolution
5.PMID: 39045287 (2024) — Ecophysiological responses of native and introduced coastal tree species parasitized by Cassytha filiformis in Brunei. · Plant-environment interactions (Hoboken, N.J.)

Cassytha Filiformis

Sources & Citations

Calculate a safe dose of Cassytha Filiformis

Evodia Rutaecarpa

Averrhoa bilimbi

Persea americana

Frequently asked questions

Summary

Background

Traditional uses

Active compounds

Mechanism of action

Clinical evidence

Drug interactions

Evidence summary

PubMed sources

Government sources

Cassytha Filiformis

Sources & Citations

Calculate a safe dose of Cassytha Filiformis

Related Herbs

Evodia Rutaecarpa

Averrhoa bilimbi

Persea americana

Frequently asked questions

Summary

Background

Traditional uses

Active compounds

Mechanism of action

Clinical evidence

Drug interactions

Evidence summary

PubMed sources

Government sources