Olax (Olax subscorpioidea): Benefits, Dosage, Safety & Evidence

Frequently asked questions

How does Olax subscorpioidea work for pain relief?

Olax subscorpioidea contains bioactive compounds including alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, and triterpenoids that contribute to its analgesic properties. These compounds are believed to work through anti-inflammatory pathways and potential modulation of pain signaling mechanisms. The plant's antimicrobial activity is attributed to tannins and alkaloids, which may disrupt microbial cell membranes. However, the exact mechanisms remain poorly understood, with most evidence derived from traditional use rather than controlled clinical trials (Evidence Level C).

Does Olax subscorpioidea interact with any medications?

Limited documented evidence exists regarding specific drug interactions for Olax subscorpioidea. Due to its alkaloid content and traditional use for convulsions, it may theoretically interact with anticonvulsant medications, sedatives, or CNS depressants. The plant's antimicrobial properties could potentially interfere with antibiotic treatments. Patients taking prescription medications should consult a healthcare provider before using Olax preparations. No formal drug interaction studies have been conducted to date (Evidence Level C).

What is the recommended dosage for Olax subscorpioidea?

Traditional preparations of Olax subscorpioidea typically use 2-3 grams of dried root bark prepared as a decoction, taken once or twice daily. Tincture preparations are traditionally dosed at 1-2 mL. These dosages are based on ethnomedicinal practices in West Africa and lack standardization from clinical trials. Dosage should not exceed recommended traditional amounts, as higher doses may cause gastrointestinal irritation and potential toxic effects from alkaloids (Evidence Level C/Traditional).

Is Olax subscorpioidea safe during pregnancy?

Olax subscorpioidea is considered unsafe during pregnancy and should be avoided. The plant contains alkaloids that may pose risks to fetal development, and traditional use has not established safety for pregnant women. Potential uterine stimulation or other adverse effects have not been adequately studied. Breastfeeding women should also avoid this herb due to insufficient safety data. Women of childbearing age should use effective contraception if taking Olax preparations (Evidence Level C/Traditional).

What are the side effects of Olax subscorpioidea?

Common side effects of Olax subscorpioidea include gastrointestinal irritation, which may manifest as nausea, stomach discomfort, or diarrhea. At higher doses, the alkaloid content may cause more serious toxic effects, though specific symptoms are not well documented in scientific literature. Traditional healers advise against consuming large amounts. Individuals with pre-existing digestive conditions should exercise caution. Discontinue use if adverse reactions occur and seek medical attention if symptoms persist (Evidence Level C/Traditional).

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

Olax subscorpioidea is a shrub or tree native to Nigeria and other parts of Africa, traditionally used to treat hepatic disorders, mental illness, and cancer [PMID:34486349, PMID:24992494].

Background

Olax subscorpioidea is a plant species from the Olacaceae family found in Nigeria and other African regions [PMID:24992494, PMID:25219606].

Traditional uses

Traditional claims include use in the treatment of hepatic disorders [PMID:34486349], inflammatory disorders, mental illness, convulsion, pain, and cancer [PMID:24992494, PMID:25219606, PMID:28167291], and as a nootropic agent for Alzheimer's-like dementia [PMID:37541399].

Active compounds

Identified compounds include triterpenoid saponins (such as oleanolic acid derivatives) [PMID:37689382], $\beta$-sitosterol, $\alpha$-amyrin, and stigmasterol [PMID:37029762], the biflavonoid glycoside olasubscorpioside C and 4'-O-methylgallocatechin [PMID:37340817], gallocatechin glycosides and dihydromyricetin glycosides [PMID:35921518], and santalbic acid [PMID:12809363].

Mechanism of action

The plant may exert antidepressant effects via monoaminergic neurotransmission [PMID:30071571]. It has demonstrated the ability to induce Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor like-2 (Nrf2) activity [PMID:34537049] and inhibit the function and catalysis of human 17$\beta$-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1 [PMID:39485270]. In the liver, methanol leaf extracts have been shown to induce mitochondrial membrane permeability transition (MMPT) pore opening [PMID:26109790].

Clinical evidence

Evidence DHepatotoxicity

Ethanol extracts of leaves and stem bark showed impacts against carbon tetrachloride-induced liver damage in rats [PMID:34486349]; hydro-ethanolic leaf extracts demonstrated hepatoprotective and in vivo antioxidant potentials in CCl4-induced rat models [PMID:25709219].

Evidence DDepression

Extracts produced significant dose-dependent reduction in immobility time in forced swimming and tail suspension tests in mice [PMID:24992494, PMID:30071571].

Evidence DPain/Inflammation

Leaf extracts produced dose-dependent inhibition of writhing frequency and neurogenic/inflammatory pains in mice [PMID:25219606]; root extracts showed analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities in animal models [PMID:27686270].

Evidence DCognitive Impairment

Methanol extract (100 mg/kg) significantly reduced transfer latency and increased discrimination index in scopolamine-induced Alzheimer's-like dementia in mice [PMID:37541399].

Evidence DCancer

Root extracts demonstrated antioxidative and DNA-damaging activities [PMID:31747375] and modulated Nrf2 activity in cancer cell lines [PMID:34537049].

Safety & adverse effects

The LD50 of ethanol leaf extract (ELEOS) was determined to be 300 mg/kg in experimental animals [PMID:26624003]. One study noted that isosaline extracts caused an increase in serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, acid phosphatase, and alkaline phosphatase in albino rats [PMID:21214460].

Evidence summary

The current evidence is based entirely on in vitro studies and animal models (Level D), demonstrating potential hepatoprotective, antidepressant, analgesic, and anticancer activities, but there are no human clinical trials available.

PubMed sources

1.PMID: 34486349 (2021) — Studies on Ethanol Extracts of Olax subscorpioidea Against Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Rats. · Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS
2.PMID: 37689382 (2023) — Cytotoxic triterpenoid saponins from the root of Olax subscorpioidea Oliv. (Olacaceae). · Phytochemistry
3.PMID: 37029762 (2024) — Structure-based molecular networking, molecular docking, dynamics simulation and pharmacokinetic studies of Olax subscorpioidea for identification of potential inhibitors against selected cancer targets. · Journal of biomolecular structure & dynamics
4.PMID: 37340817 (2023) — Structure elucidation of olasubscorpioside C, a new rotameric biflavonoid glycoside from the stem barks of Olax subscorpioidea (Oliv). · Magnetic resonance in chemistry : MRC
5.PMID: 24992494 (2015)

Olax

Sources & Citations

Calculate a safe dose of Olax

Ribes nigrum

Kunzea Ambigua

Snow Lotus Flower

Frequently asked questions

Summary

Background

Traditional uses

Active compounds

Mechanism of action

Clinical evidence

Safety & adverse effects

Evidence summary

PubMed sources

Government sources

Olax

Sources & Citations

Calculate a safe dose of Olax

Related Herbs

Ribes nigrum

Kunzea Ambigua

Snow Lotus Flower

Frequently asked questions

Summary

Background

Traditional uses

Active compounds

Mechanism of action

Clinical evidence

Safety & adverse effects

Evidence summary

PubMed sources

Government sources