Desmodium: benefits, dosage, contraindications

Updated on

Desmodium is a biennial herbaceous climbing plant from the Fabaceae family, commonly found in the humid and shaded areas of the tropical and subtropical regions of America, Africa, and India. It is native to West Africa, where it climbs and winds around cocoa trees, which is why it bears the Latin name desmodium (desmos = link) adscendens (ascending). Standing about fifty centimeters tall, Desmodium leaves resemble clover leaves, and its small, mauve flowers develop into small, hair-covered beans (referred to as cousins) after flowering that attach to animals or hikers' pants to be disseminated in nature. Desmodium is very popular in traditional African medicine for treating hepatitis. It was introduced to France in the late 60s by Dr. Pierre Tubéry. The leaves are the parts used in therapy. The various active principles found in the aerial parts (stems, leaves) of Desmodium include flavonoids (including vitexin), isoquinoline alkaloids, fatty acids, saponins, anthocyanins, and tryptamine derivatives. Desmodium has become an essential reference similar to Milk thistle, particularly for all its applications in liver conditions. Desmodium is recommended when taking hepatotoxic products, during viral or drug-induced hepatitis, and in the case of cancer treated with chemotherapy. It also has anti-allergic properties, especially in the treatment of asthma.

Other name(s) 

a:0:{}

Scientific name(s)

Desmodium adscendens, Desmodium procumbens

Family or group: 

Plants

Active ingredients:

Apigenin

Soyasaponins

Dehydrosoyasaponin I

D-pinitol

Isovitexin

Vitexin


Indications

Rating methodology

EFSA approval.

Several clinical trials (> 2) randomized controlled with double blind, including a significant number of patients (>100) with consistently positive outcomes for the indication.
Several clinical trials (> 2) randomized controlled with double blind, and including a significant number of patients (>100) with positive outcomes for the indication.
One or more randomized studies or multiple cohorts or epidemiological studies with positive outcomes for the indication.
Clinical studies exist but are uncontrolled, with conclusions that may be positive or contradictory.
Lack of clinical studies to date that can demonstrate the indication.


Hepatitis
✪✪✪✪✪

The effect of Desmodium has been evaluated in small clinical studies (between 10 and 50 patients) conducted on hepatitis B and C cases, using 10 g of dry plant. The results show normalization of aminotransferase levels (ASAT/ALAT transaminases) for 96% of patients, bilirubin in 76% of them, disappearance of myalgias for all patients, as well as disappearance of jaundice (97%) after 45 days of treatment. Finally, it was noted that Desmodium gives good results on hepatitis A, B, and C when administered during the viral invasion phase accompanied by the clear symptomatology of infectious jaundice (yellowing, asthenia) and a change in biological parameters like transaminases or bilirubin. Desmodium can be indicated not only in cases of viral hepatitis but also for preventing hepatic alteration induced by chemotherapy or hepatotoxic substances.

Posologie

posologieOral: leaf, aerial parts

posologie1360 - 10000 mg

duration45 - days

populationAdults

formulationdrinkable solution (decoction of dry extract), dry extract


Allergic Rhinitis
✪✪✪✪✪

The antiallergic action of Desmodium is highlighted in traditional medicines. Desmodium is used in case of recognized allergic condition (dermatological hypersensitivity, runny nose, allergic rhinitis, etc.). In the Indian Ocean and Africa, Desmodium leaf powder is used to soothe coughs and treat asthma.

Posologie

posologieOral: leaf, aerial parts

posologie1360 - 10000 mg

populationAdults

formulationdrinkable solution (decoction of dry extract), dry extract


Detoxification
✪✪✪✪✪

The high concentration of polyphenols in the leaves of Desmodium, as well as triterpenoid saponosides, make it a beneficial supplement for protecting the liver against daily natural attacks (oxidation, toxicity, damage, etc.). Traditional medicine recommends it as part of an overall approach to liver support during seasonal detoxes.

Posologie

posologieOral route: leaf, aerial parts

posologie1360 - 10000 mg

populationAdults

formulationdrinkable solution (decoction from dry extract), dry extract


Asthma
✪✪✪✪✪

The antiasthmatic action of Desmodium is highlighted in traditional medicine. Desmodium is used in cases of recognized asthmatic condition. The leaf and stem powder of Desmodium is also traditionally used to soothe coughs and treat asthma. It has been demonstrated that Desmodium inhibits the action of histamine on bronchial smooth muscles and decreases constriction (relaxing effect) of the airways and lung tissues. Under these conditions, its antihistamine effect will act on the allergic terrain of asthma, and its bronchodilator effect will help to effectively fight against bronchial asthma attacks.

Posologie

posologieOral route: leaf, aerial parts

posologie1360 - 10000 mg

populationAdults

formulationdrinkable solution (decoction from dry extract), dry extract


Allergies
✪✪✪✪✪

The antiallergic action of Desmodium is highlighted in traditional medicine. Desmodium is used in cases of recognized allergic conditions (dermatological hypersensitivity, discharges, allergic rhinitis, etc.). Desmodium adscendens, used by herbalists in Ghana for asthma treatment, is anti-anaphylactic in vitro. Given that the plant extract is administered orally, in vivo studies on its anti-anaphylactic properties were conducted using guinea pigs. Aqueous and ethanolic extracts of D. adscendens, when taken orally, reduce anaphylactic and histamine-induced contractions and decrease the release of smooth muscle-stimulating substances from lung tissue.

Posologie

posologieOral route: leaf, aerial parts

posologie1360 - 10000 mg

populationAdults

formulationdrinkable solution (decoction from dry extract), dry extract


Hepatic steatosis
✪✪✪✪✪

The leaves, or even the whole plant, are frequently used in cases of liver problems and hepatitis in Peru, Brazil, and Cameroon. Traditionally, about 8 to 10 g - depending on the patient's weight - of dried aerial parts, harvested when the plant is not flowering, are boiled for about 15 minutes in a large volume of water (1 to 1.5 l). The filtrate is then consumed throughout the day. The duration of the treatment in this case depends on the prior jaundice and is administered until the complete disappearance of symptoms (in 7 to 15 days), and biological signs (in 4 to 6 weeks).

Posologie

posologieOral route: leaf, aerial parts

posologie1360 - 10000 mg

duration4 - weeks

populationAdults

formulationdrinkable solution (decoction from dry extract), dry extract


Chemotherapy
✪✪✪✪✪

A small-scale clinical study has highlighted a beneficial effect of Desmodium on liver function in patients suffering from different types of cancer and treated simultaneously with chemotherapy. The results show a significant positive effect on phosphatases, nausea, and transaminases. Desmodium appears promising in supporting chemotherapy protocols, but further studies are needed to confirm these results.

Posologie

posologieOral route: leaf, aerial parts

posologie1360 - 10000 mg

populationAdults

formulationdrinkable solution (decoction from dry extract), dry extract


Gastritis
✪✪✪✪

Desmodium leaves are used in decoction for chronic gastritis, and even stomach ulcers in Cameroon, Ivory Coast, and Senegal.

Posologie

posologieOral route: leaf, aerial parts

posologie1360 - 10000 mg

populationAdults

formulationdrinkable solution (decoction from dry extract), dry extract


Constipation
✪✪✪✪

The illustrated flora of Senegal indicates that Desmodium leaves are used in decoction for treating constipation.

Posologie

posologieOral route: leaf, aerial parts

posologie1360 - 10000 mg

populationAdults

formulationdrinkable solution (decoction from dry extract), dry extract


Properties


Hepatoprotective

full-leaffull-leaffull-leaffull-leaf

The hepatoprotective effect of Desmodium against hepatotoxic compounds seems to be related to its content of triterpenoid saponins. Indeed, an in vivo study (on animals) showed that soyasaponins I and III, dehydrosoyasapogenin I, and soyasapogenol E protect liver cells from damage induced by hepatotoxic substances such as carbon tetrachloride (CCl4, which causes an increase in transaminases). As a result, treatment with Desmodium led to the normalization of liver transaminase levels (mainly alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase) in this study.

Usages associés

Hepatitis, Hepatic steatosis, Chemotherapy, Detoxification

Antiallergic

full-leaffull-leaffull-leafempty-leaf

Studies using aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Desmodium have been used in vivo. These extracts counteract contractions induced by histamine, reduce the amount of antigenic substances released that stimulate smooth muscle contraction, and reduce anaphylactic shock. Other work demonstrates that aqueous extract of Desmodium contains several types of active substances that act at different levels in the arachidonic acid cascade, thereby effectively and synergistically inhibiting the release of bronchoconstrictor compounds and antigens, confirming the antiasthmatic and antiallergic activity of this plant. It has been shown that three active compounds present in Desmodium: dehydrosoyasaponin I (DHS-I), soyasaponin I, and soyasaponin III are powerful specific agonists of calcium-dependent potassium channels, explaining the relaxing in vitro action on smooth muscles. These properties are promising in conditions related to asthma, ischemias, and degenerative nerve diseases.

Usages associés

Asthma, Allergies, Allergic rhinitis

Antioxidant

full-leaffull-leaffull-leafempty-leaf

The radical scavenging capacity as well as the antioxidant properties can be attributed to the phenolic compounds (flavonoids) present in large numbers in Desmodium. It contains, in particular, flavones in the form of heterosides: vitexin and isovitexin. A concentration of 0.1mg/ml of a hydro-ethanolic extract of the leaves is comparable in its DPPH free radical scavenging activity to vitamins E and C. The antioxidant properties and radical trapping capacities of Desmodium could increase its therapeutic value to fight oxidative stress, responsible for inflammation and cellular degeneration. Hence, its hepatoprotective potential.

Usages associés

Hepatitis, Detoxification

Immunomodulator

full-leaffull-leafempty-leafempty-leaf

Desmodium appears to act as a stimulant of the leukocyte population of monocytes, cells involved in innate defense and constituting the first line of defense against pathogens. This increase in the monocyte population induced by Desmodium is an argument validating its use in infectious pathologies. Moreover, Desmodium induces a lasting depression of the IgE level, which highlights its interest in allergic pathologies, particularly pulmonary, by reducing the same allergic response. The two combined effects (monocyte increase, subsequent IgE depression) support the validation of Desmodium's traditional use in respiratory, dermatological, and intestinal infections.

Usages associés

Asthma, Allergies

Neurological

full-leafempty-leafempty-leafempty-leaf

In vivo work conducted on mice demonstrates that ethanolic extracts of Desmodium suppress the tonic phase of seizures and death. Furthermore, it delays seizures of limbic origin induced by kainic acid. The same study shows that ethanol-water extracts slow the propagation of seizures caused by pentylenetetrazole (a substance that induces seizures at high doses) and induce analgesia and hypothermia.


Digestive Effect

full-leafempty-leafempty-leafempty-leaf

In decoction, the leaves of Desmodium adscendens are used to relieve constipation in traditional medicine, particularly for their laxative properties.

Usages associés

Gastritis, Constipation

Analgesic

full-leafempty-leafempty-leafempty-leaf

In external use, Desmodium leaves, in the form of a poultice, present anti-inflammatory and anti-edematous properties that help relieve osteoarticular traumas. Its high antioxidant content (polyphenols and flavonoids) might explain this anti-inflammatory action, particularly associated with its analgesic effect in cases of back pain such as lower back pain.


Safety dosage

Adult from 18 years: 1350 mg (dry extract)

- Concentrated extract: equivalent to 10 g of dry plant/day - Aqueous dry extract of the whole plant atomized or lyophilized: 1350 mg/day - Concentrated aqueous liquid extract for example at 50/1: 20 ml/day

Child from 15 to 18 years: 450 mg (dry extract)

Equivalent to 1 to 1.5 g/10 kg of dry plant in children.


Interactions

Médicaments

Cytochrome P450 substrate: interaction undefined

Desmodium has an inducing effect on CYP 2B1 and 2B2 and an inhibiting effect on CYP 2E1 (types of cytochromes P450 that play a role in liver detoxification). Intake in humans can lead to modifications in the activities of certain drugs that are metabolized by these cytochromes. Indeed, the hepatocyte is involved in the xenobiotic degradation phenomenon, and there can be overdosing or underdosing. Therefore, people with drugs with a narrow therapeutic margin that are metabolized by cytochromes P450 should be careful. These drugs have a toxic concentration close to the effective concentration, hence small variations can lead to a modification of the benefits/risks ratio. This is particularly the case for meprobamate and ethylmorphine.


Precautions

Pregnant woman : avoid

Due to lack of information, avoid use for pregnant women.

Breastfeeding woman : avoid

Due to lack of information, avoid use for breastfeeding women.

Child up to 15 years: avoid

In the absence of information, avoid supplementation in children.