This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider before using herbs, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medications, or have a medical condition.
How does Detarium microcarpum work for treating diarrhea?
Detarium microcarpum exerts its antidiarrheal effects primarily through its tannin and flavonoid content. Tannins possess astringent properties that reduce intestinal secretion and improve stool consistency by binding to mucosal proteins in the gut. The flavonoids contribute anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activity, which may help address underlying infections causing diarrhea. Saponins present in the plant provide additional antimicrobial support. Evidence level: C (based on phytochemical analysis and preliminary studies).
Does Detarium microcarpum interact with any medications?
Limited clinical research exists on specific drug interactions for Detarium microcarpum. Due to its significant tannin content, it may potentially reduce the absorption of certain medications, including iron supplements and some alkaloid-based drugs, when taken simultaneously. The herb's effects on gut motility could theoretically alter the absorption of oral medications. Patients taking prescription medications should consult a healthcare provider before using this herb. Evidence level: C (theoretical interactions based on constituent properties).
What is the recommended dosage of Detarium microcarpum?
Traditional preparations of Detarium microcarpum typically use 5-10 grams of dried bark prepared as a decoction for internal use in treating diarrhea. For wound healing, bark powder is applied topically directly to the affected area. These dosages are based on traditional West African practice rather than standardized clinical trials. No established standardized extract dosages exist. Users should follow traditional preparation methods and avoid exceeding recommended amounts. Evidence level: Traditional use.
Is Detarium microcarpum safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding?
Detarium microcarpum is contraindicated during pregnancy and should be avoided. The herb contains compounds that may stimulate uterine contractions or cause adverse effects on fetal development. Traditional use has established this safety concern, and insufficient clinical data exists to establish safety during pregnancy. Breastfeeding women should also avoid this herb due to lack of safety data. Women who are pregnant or planning pregnancy should consult a qualified healthcare provider. Evidence level: C.
What is Detarium microcarpum used for in traditional medicine?
Detarium microcarpum is traditionally used in West African folk medicine primarily for treating diarrhea and promoting wound healing. The bark and leaves are the main plant parts used medicinally. Additional traditional applications include fever treatment and management of various gastrointestinal complaints. The plant's antimicrobial and astringent properties make it particularly valued for these conditions. Evidence level: C (supported by ethnobotanical surveys and preliminary pharmacological studies).
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
Detarium microcarpum is an African multipurpose tree species used as a food source and in folk medicine for its antioxidant, anti-diabetic, and antimicrobial properties [PMID:30373026, PMID:36262304].
Background
Detarium microcarpum is a plant indigenous to Africa, occurring naturally in many countries, particularly within savannah regions [PMID:30373026]. It is a legume tree of the family Fabaceae [PMID:30632774, PMID:36262304].
Traditional uses
Traditional medical practitioners use the plant to treat diabetes, malaria, wounds, inflammation, cancer [PMID:36254172], and typhoid fever [PMID:36706937, PMID:32534119]. In Niger, it is used against dysentery and gastrointestinal disorders [PMID:39281065].
Active compounds
Reported compounds include polyphenols, flavonoids [PMID:36254172], alkaloids [PMID:39505773], and various diterpenes such as clerodane and labdane diterpenoids (e.g., microcarpin, 6α-hydroxy-3,13E-clerodien-15-oic acid) [PMID:35659522, PMID:16724838]. Other identified constituents include rhinocerotinoic acid, microcarpamide, ursolic acid, and various phenolic acids (gallic, protocatechuic, gentisic, vanillic, p-coumaric, ferulic, and syringic acids) [PMID:35212491, PMID:35631802].
Mechanism of action
The plant exhibits anti-microtubular effects in a dose-dependent manner [PMID:39505773]. Certain fruit pulp extracts inhibit the enzyme acetylcholinesterase [PMID:16724838]. In cancer cells (MCF7), extracts induce apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, and inhibit metastasis [PMID:31239861].
Clinical evidence
Evidence DTyphoid Fever
Hydroethanolic root bark extract showed curative anti-Salmonella typhimurium effects in rat models [PMID:36706937, PMID:32534119].
Evidence DCancer
Stem bark extracts demonstrated antiproliferative effects and induced apoptosis in MCF7 breast cancer cells [PMID:31239861]; isolated compounds showed cytotoxicity against breast, oral, and cervical cancer cell lines [PMID:39051584].
Evidence DInflammation
Aqueous bark extracts exhibited anti-inflammatory effects in rat paw edema tests [PMID:35631802].
Evidence DOsteoporosis
The compound 6α-hydroxy-3,13E-clerodien-15-oic acid increased proliferation of dexamethasone-treated MC3T3-E1 cells and increased alkaline phosphatase levels [PMID:35659522].
Safety & adverse effects
One systematic review noted that excessive consumption is harmful [PMID:36254172]. However, a rat study on root bark extract reported the LD50 as 'non-toxic' up to 5000 mg/kg and found 28-day repeated oral administration to be safe based on hematological and histopathological results [PMID:40398517].
Evidence summary
The current evidence is primarily based on in vitro studies and animal models (Level D), with some systematic reviews of existing literature (Level C). Human safety and efficacy have not yet been fully evaluated [PMID:36254172].
PubMed sources
1.PMID: 30373026 (2019) — Detarium microcarpum: A novel source of nutrition and medicine: A review. · Food chemistry
2.PMID: 36254172 (2022) — Biological Activity and Chemical Composition of Detarium microcarpum Guill. and Perr-A Systematic Review. · Advances in pharmacological and pharmaceutical sciences
3.PMID: 36262304 (2022) — Influence of morphological characteristics of fruits and provenances on seedling emergence and early growth in Detarium microcarpum Guill. & Perr. and Detarium senegalense J.F. Gmel. (Fabaceae) in Benin. · Heliyon
4.PMID: 36706937 (2023) — Curative anti-typhoid effect of Detarium microcarpum Guill. & Perr. (Leguminosae) hydroethanolic extract root bark based-on in vivo and molecular docking analyses. · Journal of ethnopharmacology
5.PMID: 30632774 (2019) — Nutritional and medicinal properties of underexploited legume trees from West Africa.
Government sources
No direct government monograph is available for this herb. The content below is AI-generated and has not been verified against an authoritative government source. Use the search links to check official sources before relying on this information.
6.PMID: 32534119 (2020) — In vitro and in vivo anti-salmonella properties of hydroethanolic extract of Detarium microcarpum Guill. & Perr. (Leguminosae) root bark and LC-MS-based phytochemical analysis. · Journal of ethnopharmacology
7.PMID: 39051584 (2024) — Isolation and Characterization of Cytotoxic Compounds from Detarium microcarpum Guill. and Perr. Stem Bark. · Anti-cancer agents in medicinal chemistry
8.PMID: 35212491 (2022) — Secondary metabolites from Detarium microcarpum Guill. and Perr. (Fabaceae). · Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung. C, Journal of biosciences
9.PMID: 39281065 (2024) — In Vitro Anti-Shigella, Antioxidant Activities, and Oral Acute Toxicity of Organics Extracts from the Root Bark of Detarium microcarpum Guill. and Perr. · Journal of tropical medicine
10.PMID: 39505773 (2025) — Anti-microtubular activity of total alkaloids and aqueous extract of Detarium microcarpum a medicinal plant harvested in Mali. · Protoplasma
11.PMID: 35659522 (2022) — A new ent-clerodane diterpene from Detarium microcarpum Guill. & Perr. and its protective potential for osteoporosis. · Fitoterapia
13.PMID: 35631802 (2022) — Polyphenolic Profile, Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Nociceptive Activities of Some African Medicinal Plants. · Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
14.PMID: 16724838 (2006) — Bioactive diterpenes from the fruits of Detarium microcarpum. · Journal of natural products
15.PMID: 31239861 (2019) — Detarium microcarpum, Guiera senegalensis, and Cassia siamea Induce Apoptosis and Cell Cycle Arrest and Inhibit Metastasis on MCF7 Breast Cancer Cells. · Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM