Dichrostachys cinerea (Dichrostachys cinerea): Benefits, Dosage, Safety & Evidence

Frequently asked questions

How does Dichrostachys cinerea work medicinally?

Dichrostachys cinerea contains bioactive compounds including alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, and saponins that contribute to its medicinal effects. Tannins provide astringent and wound-healing properties, while flavonoids offer anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity. Alkaloids may contribute to analgesic effects for toothache relief. However, specific mechanisms of action have not been fully established in clinical studies (Evidence Level C).

Does Dichrostachys cinerea interact with medications?

There are no well-documented drug interactions for Dichrostachys cinerea in the scientific literature. However, the tannin content may potentially interfere with the absorption of certain medications if taken simultaneously. The alkaloid content could theoretically interact with drugs metabolized by the liver. Patients taking prescription medications should consult a healthcare provider before using this herb. More research is needed to establish specific interactions (Evidence Level C).

What is the recommended dosage for Dichrostachys cinerea?

Traditional preparations typically use 5-10 grams of dried bark as a decoction, taken twice daily. For topical applications, a paste made from the bark or leaves is applied directly to wounds or affected areas for wound healing and pain relief. These dosages are based on ethnomedicinal practices rather than standardized clinical trials. Consult a qualified herbalist or healthcare provider for personalized guidance (Evidence Level C, Traditional).

Is Dichrostachys cinerea safe during pregnancy?

Dichrostachys cinerea is considered unsafe during pregnancy and should be avoided. Traditional use and the presence of alkaloids raise concerns about potential uterine stimulation or fetal toxicity. There is insufficient safety data to support use during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Women who are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or nursing should not use this herb. Always consult a healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy during pregnancy (Evidence Level C).

What is Dichrostachys cinerea used for in traditional medicine?

Dichrostachys cinerea has been used traditionally in African and Indian folk medicine for treating toothache, wounds, and snakebite. Additional traditional applications include managing rheumatism and fever. The herb's astringent and anti-inflammatory properties make it useful for wound healing, while its analgesic effects may help with dental pain. These uses are primarily based on ethnobotanical knowledge rather than rigorous clinical trials (Evidence Level C, Traditional).

What are the side effects of Dichrostachys cinerea?

Reported side effects of Dichrostachys cinerea are primarily gastrointestinal in nature, including stomach upset, nausea, and digestive discomfort. These effects are typically mild and may be reduced by taking the herb with food. The tannin content can cause constipation in some individuals. Allergic reactions are possible but rare. Discontinue use if severe symptoms occur and seek medical attention. Long-term safety data is limited (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

Dichrostachys cinerea is a tropical leguminous shrub used in traditional medicine for inflammatory, respiratory, and urinary conditions [PMID:36080212, 21414220, 24501517].

Background

Dichrostachys cinerea (L.) Wigth & Arn. is a tropical leguminous shrub [PMID:28612173] that is widely used in ethno-medicine across Africa [PMID:21414220].

Traditional uses

Traditionally used to treat rheumatoid arthritis [PMID:36080212], bronchial asthma [PMID:25914041, 21414220], rheumatism [PMID:25914041, 21731394], dysuria (Mootrakruchchhra) [PMID:24501517], jaundice, fever, body ache, chest problems, toothache, ulcers, wounds, eye diseases, and as an aphrodisiac [PMID:21731394]. It is also used as a laxative, diuretic, and painkiller, and in the treatment of gonorrhoea, boils, oedema, gout, and veneral diseases [PMID:24991072]. In Tanzania, it is used by the Maasai for suspected malaria [PMID:30947717] and as a snakebite antivenom [PMID:36205572].

Active compounds

The plant contains polyphenols, including flavan-3-ols (such as (-)-mesquitol, oritin, (-)-festidinol, and (-)-epicatechin), proanthocyanidins, and flavone glycosides [PMID:36080212, 21706215]. Other identified compounds include meroterpene derivatives (dichrostachines A-R) [PMID:19761234], betulinic acid, glyceryl-1-hexacosanoate, 7-hydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-4H-chromen-4-one, 6-hydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-4H-chromen-4-one [PMID:31360 la], and beta-amyrin glucoside [PMID:24991072]. General phytochemical screening has shown the presence of carbohydrates, proteins, glycosides, saponins, tannins, amino acids, and terpenoids [PMID:24991072].

Mechanism of action

Extracts have demonstrated the ability to inhibit protein farnesyl transferase activity [PMID:19761234] and advanced glycation end-product (AGE) formation [PMID:21706215]. Root bark extracts induce relaxation of tracheal smooth muscle [PMID:21963567].

Clinical evidence

Evidence DInflammation and Pain (Rat Model)

Polyphenol-rich fruit extracts showed analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects in Freund's adjuvant-induced arthritic rats [PMID:36080212]

Evidence BDysuria

Evaluated for efficacy in the management of Mootrakruchchhra (Dysuria) [PMID:24501517]

Evidence DHepatoprotection (Mice/Rats)

Methanolic leaf extract showed significant hepatoprotective activity [PMID:21731394]

Evidence DBacterial Infections

Leaf extracts showed antibacterial activity against S. epidermidis and S. aureus [PMID:38045177, 10844173]

Evidence DCancer (In vitro)

Triterpenoid 1 (betulinic acid) and flavone 4 from bark showed cytotoxic effects against 9 cancer cell lines [PMID:31360210]

Evidence DAsthma (Animal Model)

Methanolic and aqueous-alcoholic extracts induced relaxation of guinea-pig and mouse tracheal smooth muscle [PMID:21414220, 21963567]

Safety & adverse effects

A methanolic extract of leaves did not show mortality in albino mice and rats up to a dose of 3500 mg/kg body weight [PMID:21731394].

Pregnancy & lactation

Bark extracts are traditionally used to facilitate childbirth; in vitro studies on isolated pregnant rat myometrium were conducted to investigate these properties [PMID:25914041].

Evidence summary

The evidence consists primarily of in vitro studies, animal models (rats, mice, guinea-pigs), and preliminary clinical evaluations. There is a lack of high-level human clinical trials (Meta-analyses or large-scale RCTs).

PubMed sources

1.PMID: 36080212 (2022) — Polyphenols from Dichrostachys cinerea Fruits Anti-Inflammatory, Analgesic, and Antioxidant Capacity in Freund's Adjuvant-Induced Arthritic Rat Model. · Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
2.PMID: 10844173 (2000) — Antibacterial activity of Dichrostachys cinerea. · Fitoterapia
3.PMID: 24501517 (2013) — Clinical evaluation of Veerataru (Dichrostachys cinerea Linn.) in the management of Mootrakruchchhra (Dysuria). · Ayu
4.PMID: 25914041 (2015) — Study of pharmacological properties of the methanolic extract of Dichrostachys cinerea bark (L.) Wight et Arn (Leguminosae) in isolated myometrium from pregnant rats. · Journal of ethnopharmacology
5.PMID: 30947717 (2019) — In vitro and in vivo studies on anti-malarial activity of Commiphora africana and Dichrostachys cinerea used by the Maasai in Arusha region, Tanzania.

Dichrostachys cinerea

Sources & Citations

Calculate a safe dose of Dichrostachys cinerea