Maytenus Senegalensis (Maytenus senegalensis): Benefits, Dosage, Safety & Evidence

Frequently asked questions

How does Maytenus senegalensis work in the body?

Maytenus senegalensis exerts its effects through active compounds like maytansine, sesquiterpenes, and flavonoids. Maytansine is a potent cytotoxic agent that inhibits microtubule formation, preventing cell division, which supports its antimicrobial and potential anticancer properties. Additionally, tannins and flavonoids provide astringent and anti-inflammatory actions, making the herb effective for soothing digestive complaints and abdominal pain (Evidence Level: C/Traditional).

Does Maytenus senegalensis interact with other medications?

There is limited clinical documentation on specific drug interactions for Maytenus senegalensis. However, due to the cytotoxic nature of maytansine, this herb should be used with extreme caution alongside chemotherapy drugs or immunosuppressants. Because it affects liver metabolic pathways, it may alter the pharmacokinetics of other liver-metabolized drugs. Patients on prescription medication should consult a healthcare provider before use (Evidence Level: D).

What is the correct dosage for Maytenus senegalensis?

The traditional adult dosage involves taking one cup of a root bark decoction twice daily. To prepare, the root bark is boiled in water. Due to the presence of cytotoxic compounds, usage should be restricted to short-term applications unless supervised by a professional. Exceeding the recommended dosage increases the risk of nausea and cytotoxicity (Evidence Level: Traditional).

Can I take Maytenus senegalensis while pregnant?

No, Maytenus senegalensis is unsafe during pregnancy and breastfeeding. The plant contains maytansine, a compound known for its cytotoxic effects, which can harm fetal development and induce miscarriage. Due to these potent cytotoxic properties, it is also contraindicated for children. Women who are pregnant or trying to conceive must avoid this herb entirely (Evidence Level: C/D).

What is Maytenus senegalensis used to treat?

Traditionally, Maytenus senegalensis is used to treat digestive complaints, sexually transmitted infections, and abdominal pain. The roots and leaves are the primary parts used for their antimicrobial and liver-protective properties. While ethnobotanical use is extensive for liver disorders and infections, scientific validation remains limited, warranting cautious use under professional guidance (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

Maytenus senegalensis is an African shrub or tree used in traditional medicine to treat infectious and inflammatory diseases [PMID:22470236]. It has demonstrated antimalarial, anti-inflammatory, and antiplasmodial activities in various studies [PMID:38609987, PMID:20670987, PMID:20734703].

Background

Maytenus senegalensis (Lam.) Exell, also known as Gymnosporia senegalensis (Lam.) Loes, is a member of the Celastraceae family distributed primarily in the savannah regions of tropical Africa [PMID:22470236, PMID:40001500].

Traditional uses

Traditional uses include the treatment of malaria, tuberculosis, rheumatism, diarrhea [PMID:40001500], dysmenorrhea in Mali [PMID:22754061], and gastrointestinal disorders and intestinal worms [PMID:29716590]. It is also used for infectious and inflammatory diseases [PMID:22470236].

Active compounds

Identified biomolecules include maytenoic acid [PMID:16860550, PMID:5115253], maytansine [PMID:28385670], mayselignoside, benzoyl R-(+)-malic acid, (+)-lyoniresinol, (-)-isolariciresinol, dihydrodehydrodiconiferyl alcohol, and β-amyrin [PMID:25230985]. Other analyzed compounds include isomintlactone, pristimerin, and jacareubin [PMID:40001500]. Tannins and flavonoids are also implicated in its biological effects [PMID:29716590].

Mechanism of action

Maytenoic acid has demonstrated a dose-dependent antiphlogistic effect [PMID:16860550]. The plant's anthelmintic activity against Haemonchus contortus is partly attributed to polyphenol content, specifically tannins and flavonoids [PMID:29716590, PMID:28262394].

Clinical evidence

Evidence BMalaria

Whole extract demonstrated strong antimalarial activity in vitro and in vivo [PMID:38609987]; ethanolic root extract significantly reduced parasitaemia in mice in a dose-dependent manner [PMID:25890324].

Evidence DInflammation

Leaf extracts exhibited significant anti-inflammatory activity in rats, reducing carrageenan-induced paw oedema by 35% [PMID:20670987]; root extracts showed topical anti-inflammatory potency similar to indomethacin [PMID:16860550].

Evidence DHIV-1 Protease

Methanol and aqueous stem-bark extracts showed considerable inhibitory effects against HIV-1 protease [PMID:10189947].

Safety & adverse effects

In a dose-escalation study of 12 healthy Tanzanian males, no deaths or serious adverse events occurred, and no events led to premature discontinuation [PMID:36548651]. However, significant mean changes were observed in WBC, neutrophils, lymphocytes, eosinophils, alanine aminotransferase, creatinine, and total bilirubin [PMID:36548651]. Some toxicity was indicated in extracts in mice [PMID:20670987], though ethanolic root extract was found non-toxic with an oral median lethal dose >1,600 mg/kg [PMID:25890324]. Additionally, the plant has been found to contain heavy metals including arsenic, chromium, lead, and nickel [PMID:22632043].

Drug interactions

Methanolic extracts of M. senegalensis (L/RB) showed statistically significant effects when used in combination with chloroquine against CQ-tolerant Plasmodium berghei NK65 in mice [PMID:17145149].

Evidence summary

Evidence is primarily based on in vitro and in vivo animal models (Level D) and limited early-phase human safety/tolerability trials (Level B). While antimalarial and anti-inflammatory activities are well-documented in preclinical settings, large-scale clinical efficacy trials are lacking.

PubMed sources

1.PMID: 22470236 (2011) — Maytenus heterophylla and Maytenus senegalensis, two traditional herbal medicines. · Journal of natural science, biology, and medicine
2.PMID: 22754061 (2011) — Medicinal plants traditionally used in Mali for dysmenorrhea. · African journal of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicines : AJTCAM
3.PMID: 34433465 (2021) — Antiplasmodial, antimalarial activities and toxicity of African medicinal plants: a systematic review of literature. · Malaria journal
4.PMID: 38609987 (2024) — The effect of an anti-malarial herbal remedy, Maytenus senegalensis, on electrocardiograms of healthy Tanzanian volunteers. · Malaria journal
5.PMID: 20670987 (2011) — In vivo anti-inflammatory effect and toxicological screening of Maytenus heterophylla and Maytenus senegalensis extracts.

Maytenus Senegalensis

Sources & Citations

Calculate a safe dose of Maytenus Senegalensis