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 Sphenocentrum jollyanum work for sexual dysfunction?
Sphenocentrum jollyanum contains bioactive compounds including sphenocentrin, alkaloids, and flavonoids that may influence sexual function. The plant's bitter tonic properties are attributed to its alkaloid content, which may stimulate digestive processes and enhance nutrient absorption. Its traditional use for sexual dysfunction suggests potential effects on hormonal pathways or blood circulation, though the exact mechanism remains poorly understood. Current evidence is limited to traditional use and preliminary phytochemical studies (Evidence Level C). More research is needed to fully understand its pharmacological actions.
Can Sphenocentrum jollyanum interact with medications?
Sphenocentrum jollyanum may interact with cardiovascular medications due to its potential to elevate blood pressure. Patients taking antihypertensive drugs, cardiac medications, or blood thinners should avoid this herb without medical supervision. The presence of alkaloids and other bioactive compounds suggests potential for drug interactions, though specific interaction studies are lacking. Individuals on hormonal therapies or fertility medications should also exercise caution. Always consult a healthcare provider before combining this herb with prescription medications, especially given the limited safety data available.
What is the recommended dosage for Sphenocentrum jollyanum?
Traditional preparations of Sphenocentrum jollyanum typically use the root as a macerate or decoction at a dosage of 200ml taken twice daily. However, standardized dosing guidelines do not exist due to limited clinical research. The strength of preparations can vary significantly depending on the plant source, preparation method, and concentration of active compounds like sphenocentrin and alkaloids. Users should start with lower doses to assess tolerance. Professional guidance from a qualified herbalist or healthcare provider is strongly recommended given the herb's potential cardiovascular effects.
Is Sphenocentrum jollyanum safe during pregnancy?
Sphenocentrum jollyanum is considered unsafe during pregnancy and should be strictly avoided. Traditional use data and the presence of bioactive alkaloids suggest potential risks to fetal development and pregnancy outcomes. The herb's effects on blood pressure and hormonal pathways pose additional concerns during gestation. Breastfeeding women should also avoid this herb due to insufficient safety data and potential transfer of active compounds to infants. Women attempting to conceive should consult a healthcare provider before using this herb, as its effects on fertility require professional oversight.
What are the side effects of Sphenocentrum jollyanum?
Reported side effects of Sphenocentrum jollyanum include nausea and elevated blood pressure. The herb's alkaloid content may cause gastrointestinal discomfort in some individuals, particularly when taken on an empty stomach. Cardiovascular effects, including increased blood pressure, make it unsuitable for individuals with cardiac conditions. Other potential adverse effects are not well documented due to limited clinical safety data. Users should discontinue use if experiencing dizziness, palpitations, or severe gastrointestinal symptoms. Medical consultation is advised before use, especially for individuals with pre-existing health conditions.
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
Sphenocentrum jollyanum is a West African shrub from the Menispermaceae family used in folk medicine for various ailments, including wounds and diabetes [PMID:28930265].
Background
S. jollyanum is a shrub native to the tropical forest zones of West Africa, thriving in deep shade and cultivated in countries such as Cameroon, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Ghana, and Côte d'Ivoire [PMID:28930265]. It is characterized by bright yellow roots and wedge-shaped leaves [PMID:35398496].
Traditional uses
It is employed in folk medicine to treat wounds, fever, coughs, high blood pressure, breast tumors, constipation, and as an aphrodisiac [PMID:28930265]. It is specifically reputed for dressing chronic wounds [PMID:35398496] and is used traditionally in combination of stem and leaves to treat chronic wounds and diabetes mellitus [PMID:36791929]. Leaf extracts are also used for erectile dysfunction, gastrointestinal disorders, and malaria [PMID:40064323].
Active compounds
Phytochemical investigations identify secondary metabolites including alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, and annin [PMID:28930265]. Specific isolated compounds include furanoditerpenes (columbin, isocolumbin, fibleucin) [PMID:16236477], 1,4-polyisoprene [PMID:36791929], and various ecdysteroids such as Sphenocentroside A and B, polypodoaurein, polypodine B, ecdysterone, 20, 26-dihydroxyecdysone, 20-hydroxyecdysone, and atrotosterone A [PMID:31326452, PMID:32165210].
Mechanism of action
The plant exhibits anti-inflammatory activity, with fruit methanol extracts and furanoditerpenes (columbin) inhibiting carrageenan-induced hind paw oedema [PMID:16236477]. Aqueous root and leaf extracts facilitate wound healing by modulating pro-inflammatory cytokines and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) [PMID:35398496]. Leaf extracts demonstrate mitochondrial-restorative influences and modulate apoptosis in diabetic models [PMID:40064323]. Seed extracts exhibit urease inhibitory and antacid activities [PMID:32165210].
Clinical evidence
Evidence DWound Healing (Diabetic Rats)
A 0.10% w/w 1,4-polyisoprene-based ointment caused 99% wound closure by day 12 and significantly increased tensile strength [PMID:36791929].
Evidence DInflammation (Rats)
Fruit methanol extract (79.58% inhibition) and root extract (53.75% inhibition) showed significant anti-inflammatory activity in carrageenan-induced oedema models [PMID:16236477].
Evidence DAntimicrobial Activity (In vitro)
Methanol extract of root showed 98% activity against Aspergillus fumigatus Pinh and 80% against Vancomycin resistant enterococcus (VRE) at 200 μg/mL [PMID:31326452].
Evidence DMale Reproductive Activity (Rats)
Oral administration of root extract (50-150 mg/kg) caused a dose-dependent significant reduction in progressive motility, viability, and total sperm counts [PMID:29699257].
Evidence DMalaria-induced Oxidative Stress (Mice)
Methanolic leaf extract significantly reduced levels of total protein, AST, ALT, ALP, GGT, and malondialdehyde, while increasing catalase, SOD, and GSH levels in P. berghei infected mice [PMID:23625415].
Safety & adverse effects
In rat models, root extract administration (50-150 mg/kg) resulted in a dose-dependent reduction in sperm count, motility, and viability [PMID:29699257].
Evidence summary
The current evidence consists primarily of in vitro studies and animal models (rats and mice), indicating potential anti-inflammatory, wound-healing, and antimicrobial properties, but also suggesting potential reproductive toxicity in males. No human clinical trials were provided.
PubMed sources
1.PMID: 28930265 (2017) — A Review on Ethno-Medicinal and Pharmacological Activities of Sphenocentrum jollyanum Pierre. · Medicines (Basel, Switzerland)
2.PMID: 31326452 (2019) — Two new phytoecdysteroids from Sphenocentrum jollyanum Pierre root. · Steroids
3.PMID: 35398496 (2022) — Effect of aqueous extract from root and leaf of Sphenocentrum jollyanum pierre on wounds of diabetic rats: Influence on wound tissue cytokines, vascular endothelial growth factor and microbes. · Journal of ethnopharmacology
4.PMID: 36791929 (2023) — Biochemical and histological insights of 1,4-polyisoprene isolated from Sphenocentrum jollyanum pierre (menispermaceae) stem in wound healing activity in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. · Journal of ethnopharmacology
5.PMID: 29699257 (2006) — Comprehensive assessment of the effect of Sphenocentrum jollyanum root extract on male reproductive activity in albino rats.
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.
Fruit ethanolic extract showed potent activity against Eudrilus eugeniae and the greatest activity against wireworms at 80 mg/ml [PMID:18313232].
· Reproductive medicine and biology
6.PMID: 33707973 (2021) — Assessment of Reproductive Toxicity of Hydroethanolic Root Extracts of Caesalpinia benthamiana, Sphenocentrum jollyanum, and Paullinia pinnata. · Journal of experimental pharmacology
7.PMID: 32165210 (2020) — Bioassay-guided isolation and identification of anti-ulcer ecdysteroids from the seeds of Sphenocentrum jollyanum Pierre (Menispermaceae). · Steroids
8.PMID: 40064323 (2025) — Sphenocentrum jollyanum (Pierre) aqueous leaf extract demonstrates anti-inflammatory and mitochondrial-restorative influences while modulating apoptosis in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. · Journal of ethnopharmacology
9.PMID: 16236477 (2006) — Anti-inflammatory activities of the methanol extracts and an isolated furanoditerpene constituent of Sphenocentrum jollyanum Pierre (Menispermaceae). · Journal of ethnopharmacology
10.PMID: 30788275 (2019) — Histomorphological effects of the oil extract of Sphenocentrum jollyanum seed on benign prostatic hyperplasia induced by exogenous testosterone and estradiol in adult Wistar rats. · Avicenna journal of phytomedicine
11.PMID: 23625415 (2013) — In vivo antioxidant and biochemical evaluation of Sphenocentrum jollyanum leaf extract in P. berghei infected mice. · Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences
12.PMID: 30052146 (2019) — Nutrient and Antioxidant Properties of Oils from Bagasses, Agricultural Residues, Medicinal Plants, and Fodders. · Journal of the American College of Nutrition
13.PMID: 18313232 (2008) — Investigation of in vitro anthelmintic activities of Pycnanthus angolensis and Sphenocentrum jollyanum. · Fitoterapia