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PubMed · Securidaca longipedunculata Fresen (Polygalaceae): a review of its ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemistry, pharmacological properties and toxicology. (2015)
PubMed · In vitro propagation of Securidaca longipedunculata (Fresen) from shoot tip: an endangered medicinal plant. (2020)
Reviewed by: HerbAlly Editorial Team, Medical herbalists and healthcare professionals
Last updated: April 2026
Calculate a safe dose of Securidaca Longipedunculata
What is Securidaca longipedunculata used for traditionally?
Securidaca longipedunculata is traditionally used across Southern and West Africa for respiratory conditions including coughs and chest infections, sexually transmitted infections, snake bite treatment, and as a powerful purgative. The root and bark are most commonly prepared as decoctions or powders. Its antibacterial properties make it valuable for wound care and infection management in traditional medicine systems. Evidence Level: C (ethnobotanical documentation supports these traditional applications).
How does Securidaca longipedunculata relieve pain?
Securidaca longipedunculata contains methyl salicylate, a compound chemically similar to aspirin, which provides analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting cyclooxygenase enzymes and reducing prostaglandin synthesis. The plant also contains securinine, an alkaloid with neuroactive properties that may modulate pain signaling pathways. These combined compounds produce the herb's documented pain-relieving effects. Evidence Level: C (based on constituent analysis and pharmacological studies).
What is the safe dosage of Securidaca longipedunculata bark?
Traditional use suggests 0.5 to 1 gram of dried bark powder for adults, taken with extreme caution. This herb has a narrow therapeutic window, meaning the difference between an effective dose and a toxic dose is small. Higher doses can cause severe toxicity including kidney damage. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before use. Evidence Level: C (based on ethnobotanical documentation).
Is Securidaca longipedunculata safe during pregnancy?
No, Securidaca longipedunculata is contraindicated during pregnancy. The plant contains powerful purgative compounds and securinine, which can stimulate uterine contractions and potentially cause miscarriage. Traditional healers specifically avoid prescribing this herb to pregnant women. Breastfeeding women and children should also avoid this herb due to its toxicity profile. Evidence Level: C (based on traditional knowledge and constituent pharmacology).
Does Securidaca longipedunculata interact with any medications?
Securidaca longipedunculata may interact with medications due to its methyl salicylate content, potentially enhancing effects of blood thinners like warfarin and antiplatelet drugs. Its strong purgative action may reduce absorption of oral medications. The plant's nephrotoxic potential suggests caution with kidney-affecting drugs. Patients taking diuretics, laxatives, or salicylate-containing medications should avoid concurrent use. Evidence Level: C (based on constituent analysis).
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
Securidaca longipedunculata is an indigenous African medicinal plant used traditionally for a wide range of ailments, including malaria, infections, and cancer [PMID:25724970, PMID:31956941].
Background
Also known as the African Violet Tree, Securidaca longipedunculata (Polygalaceae) is an endangered medicinal plant indigenous to Africa [PMID:31956941, PMID:41304319].
Traditional uses
It has a long history in African traditional medicine for treating sexually transmitted infections, hernias, coughs, fever, ascariasis, constipation, headaches, rheumatism, stomach ache, malaria, tuberculosis, pain, epilepsy, pneumonia, and skin infections; it is also used as a male aphrodisiac [PMID:25724970]. In northern Nigeria, it is traditionally used to treat cancers [PMID:30931334]. Other reported folk uses include the treatment of diarrhea, boils, and gonorrhea [PMID:15636189].
Active compounds
Phytochemical constituents include xanthones, benzyl benzoates [PMID:25724970], saponins (triterpenoid glycosides) [PMID:29109460, PMID:30532593], and flavonoids [PMID:15636189]. Specific isolated compounds include a new benzophenone (2,3,4,5-tetramethoxybenzophenone), 4-hydroxy-2,3-dimethoxybenzophenone, 3-hydroxy-5-methoxybiphenyl, methyl-2-hydroxy-6-methoxybenzoate, benzyl-2-hydroxy-6-methoxybenzoate, 2-hydroxy-6-methoxybenzoic acid, 2,4,5-trimethoxybenzophenone, and 2-methoxy-3,4-methylenedioxybenzophenone [PMID:34000936]. Seed oil contains conjugated hydroxydienoic fatty acids and acetotriacylglycerols, such as coriolic acid [PMID:427179]. Bark contains sucrose derivatives including beta-D-(3,4-disinapoyl)fructofuranosyl-alpha-D-(6-sinapoyl)glucopyranoside and beta-D-(3-sinapoyl)fructofuranosyl-alpha-D-(6-sinapoyl)glucopyranoside [PMID:8450315].
Mechanism of action
Saponin fractions (4A3 and 4A4) have been shown to inhibit AKT, MCL-1, and BCL2L1 in cervical cancer cells, thereby activating apoptosis [PMID:30532593]. Ethanol root bark extracts induce apoptosis in U87 brain tumor cells via PARP cleavage [PMID:30931334].
Clinical evidence
Evidence DMalaria
Extracts showed antiplasmodial activities against reference clones and clinical isolates [PMID:34000936]; dichloromethane leaf extract showed significant in vitro antiplasmodial activity (IC50 of 7 microg/ml) [PMID:17126508].
Evidence DCancer (In Vitro/Animal)
Ethanol root bark extract significantly reduced viability and induced apoptosis in U87 brain tumor cells [PMID:30931334]; extracts showed cytotoxicity and antitumor activity in EAC tumor-bearing mice [PMID:36873464].
Evidence DCervical Cancer (In Vitro)
Saponin fractions activated apoptosis in Caski and Bu25TK cell lines [PMID:30532593].
Evidence DSemen Quality (Veterinary)
In indigenous goat bucks, leaf extract (SLLE) at 50 and 100 mg/kg improved spermatogenesis, sperm concentration, and semen volume, though 125 mg/kg reduced live sperm cell percentages [PMID:41293461].
Evidence DMicrobial Infections
Isolated flavonoids showed activity against various micro-organisms [PMID:15636189].
Safety & adverse effects
In cytotoxicity assays, most extracts and pure compounds were not toxic to normal LO2 and BEAS cell-lines, with the exception of the methanol root extract [PMID:34000936].
Evidence summary
The evidence consists primarily of in vitro studies, animal models (veterinary), and ethnomedicinal reviews. There are no human clinical trials provided in the abstracts.
PubMed sources
1.PMID: 25724970 (2015) — Securidaca longipedunculata Fresen (Polygalaceae): a review of its ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemistry, pharmacological properties and toxicology. · Journal of ethnopharmacology
2.PMID: 34000936 (2022) — A new benzophenone, and the antiplasmodial activities of the constituents of Securidaca longipedunculata fresen (Polygalaceae). · Natural product research
3.PMID: 31956941 (2020) — In vitro propagation of Securidaca longipedunculata (Fresen) from shoot tip: an endangered medicinal plant. · Journal, genetic engineering & biotechnology
4.PMID: 15636189 (2004) — Antimicrobial activity of Securidaca longipedunculata. · Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
5.PMID: 41304319 (2025) — Microbial Diversity Analysis of Soil in the Rhizosphere of Securidaca longipedunculata (African Violet Tree).
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: 41293461 (2025) — Assessment of Securidaca longipedunculata (violet tree) effect on semen quality and blood sex hormone levels in indigenous goats. · Veterinary and animal science
7.PMID: 35009051 (2021) — Synergism in Antiplasmodial Activities of Artemether and Lumefantrine in Combination with Securidaca longipedunculata Fresen (Polygalaceae). · Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
8.PMID: 30931334 (2019) — Ethanol Extract of Securidaca longipedunculata Induces Apoptosis in Brain Tumor (U87) Cells. · BioMed research international
9.PMID: 36873464 (2023) — Four Togolese plant species exhibiting cytotoxicity and antitumor activities lightning polytherapy approach in cancer treatment. · Heliyon
10.PMID: 21948222 (2011) — Rise of herbal and traditional medicine in erectile dysfunction management. · Current urology reports
11.PMID: 427179 (1979) — New conjugated hydroxydienoic fatty acids and acetotriacylglycerols from Securidaca longipedunculata seed oil. · Biochimica et biophysica acta
12.PMID: 8450315 (1993) — New sucrose derivatives from the bark of Securidaca longipedunculata. · Journal of natural products
13.PMID: 34571077 (2022) — Ethnopharmacological evaluation of antioxidant, anti-angiogenic, and anti-inflammatory activity of some traditional medicinal plants used for treatment of cancer in Togo/Africa. · Journal of ethnopharmacology
14.PMID: 29109460 (2017) — Molecular-trapping in Emulsion's Monolayer: A New Strategy for Production and Purification of Bioactive Saponins. · Scientific reports
15.PMID: 30532593 (2018) — Securidaca-saponins are natural inhibitors of AKT, MCL-1, and BCL2L1 in cervical cancer cells. · Cancer management and research
16.PMID: 34276369 (2021) — Pharmacological Assessment of the Antiprotozoal Activity, Cytotoxicity and Genotoxicity of Medicinal Plants Used in the Treatment of Malaria in the Greater Mpigi Region in Uganda. · Frontiers in pharmacology
17.PMID: 20161961 (2008) — A review of traditional plants used in the treatment of epilepsy amongst the Hausa/Fulani tribes of northern Nigeria. · African journal of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicines : AJTCAM
18.PMID: 32224196 (2020) — Ethnobotanical study of selected medicinal plants traditionally used in the rural Greater Mpigi region of Uganda. · Journal of ethnopharmacology
19.PMID: 33510807 (2021) — A Bibliographic Assessment Using the Degrees of Publication Method: Medicinal Plants from the Rural Greater Mpigi Region (Uganda). · Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM
20.PMID: 17126508 (2007) — Antiplasmodial and GABA(A)-benzodiazepine receptor binding activities of five plants used in traditional medicine in Mali, West Africa. · Journal of ethnopharmacology
21.PMID: 33673238 (2021) — Antiinflammatory Medicinal Plants from the Ugandan Greater Mpigi Region Act as Potent Inhibitors in the COX-2/PGH2 Pathway. · Plants (Basel, Switzerland)