Kigelia Studies

Antioxidant / Male Fertility Effect: Study on the antioxidant effect of Kigelia fruit extract on normal rats showed a non-dose dependent elevation in testicular catalase, a significant decline in malondialdehyde and an up-regulation of glutathione. Results offer scientific basis for the use of Kigelia Africana fruit extract in the treat of male infertility.

Antibacterial: Study confirmed the antibacterial activity of K. Africana fruits and stem bark.

Antineoplastic: (1) Study of crude dichlormethane extracts of stem bark and fruit showed cytotoxic activity in vitro against cultured melanoma and other cancer cell lines. Major components were norviburtinal and ß-sitosterol. (2) Kigelia also contains lapachol which has been found effect in the treatment of solar keratosis, skin cancer and kaposis sarcoma.

Analgesic/ Anti-Inflammatory: Study of stem bark showed significant analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect most likely via inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis.

Antimalarial: Study isolated four naphthoquinoids from the root bark of the plant. Results showed good anti-plasmodial activity against chloroquine-resistant and chloroquine-sensitive strains of Plasmodium falciparum.

CNS Stimulant: Study of ethanolic stem bark extract in mice showed a CNS stimulant effect as shown by a dose-dependent reduction of the duration of barbiturate-induced sleeping time. It suggests a potential for possible use in conditions associated with dizziness, drowsiness and sedation.

Antiprotozoal: Study of stem bark and root bark extracts showed pronounced activity against both Trypanosoma brucei and T. b. rhodesiense bloodstream forms. A butanol stem extract showed in vitro antiamoebic activity.

Antidiarrheal: Study of an aqueous leaf extract of K. Africana showed antidiarrheal activity with reduced fecal output and protection from castor oil-induced diarrhea in extract-treated animals.

Cosmetic: (1) Study yields steroidal saponins and two flavonoids (luteolin and quercitin). Reports claim the fruit extract is useful in developing the bust and reinforcing the strength and stability of breast collagen fibers. (2) Dermal preparations claim to remove sunspots ("solar keratosis") especially in the face and hands. Claims are also made for reduction of wrinkle depth and promotion of tone elasticity, reduction of skin blemishes.

Verminoside / Anti-Inflammatory: Study of fruit extract yielded verminoside. In vitro assays showed it to have significant anti-inflammatory effects, inhibiting both iNOS expression and NO release.

Anticonvulsant: Study of Kigelia pinnata showed an anti-seizure effect which may be due in part to linoleic acid, cinnamic acid, and/or flavonoid compounds in the extracts. (6)

Antidiarrheal / Spasmolytic: Study of E senegalensis and Kigelia Africana showed significant reduction in the frequency of diarrhea stools and spontaneous propulsive movement of isolated rabbit jejunum. The spasmolytic effect may explain its use folkloric use in chronic abdominal pain and pains associated with diarrhea. (7)

Antiproliferative / Spasmolytic: Study of seed oils of K. Africana, Mimusops zeyheri and Ximenia caffra on cell proliferation in culture showed suppression of of human colon adenoCA (Caco-2) and human embryonic kidney cells (HEK-293). Results suggest a potential antiproliferative effect of the seed oils on the cell lines. (11) 

Chemotherapeutic / Cisplat: in study of a fruit extract of K. Africana (KAFE) in cisplatin treated male rats. While KAFE may protect against cisplatin-induced testicular damage, the study shows pretreatment may offer a better option in reducing cisplatin-induced damage to the testis in a mechanism believed to be free-radical mediated. (12)

Antioxidant Screening / Antibacterial: Antioxidant screening of an aqueous extract yielded enzymatic antioxidants such as catalase, superoxide dismutase, ascorbate oxidase and non-enzymatic antioxidant ascorbic acid. The extract exhibited antibacterial activity against S. aureus, E. coli and P. vulgaris. (13)

Antifungal / Antibacterial: A crude ethanolic extract exhibited antibacterial and antifungal activities against Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans. (14)

Antineoplastic / Stem Bark: Study evaluated the antineoplastic activity of a total methanolic extract of stem bark of K. pinnata. TME evoked DNA laddering in SKW-3 cells indicating apoptosis induction. In vitro and in vivo studies displayed prominent cytotoxicity against human tumor cell lines. (15)

Antiurolithic Activity: Study evaluated an ethanolic extract of fruit of Kigelia pinnata on calcium oxalate urolithiasis in male Wistar albino rats induced by ethylene glycol feeding. Results showed antiurolithic activity with significantly reduction of elevated urinary oxalate, uric acid and phosphate, with decrease deposition of stone forming constituents in the kidneys of calculogenic rats. (16)

Anti-Inflammatory: Study evaluated the anti-inflammatory activity of a leaf extract of Kigelia pinnata on wistar rats by carrageenan-induced paw edema and cotton pellet-induced granuloma methods. Results showed dose-dependent anti-inflammatory effects. (17)

Wound Healing: Study evaluated the wound healing potential of an aqueous extract of shade-dried bark in rats, using incision, excision, and dead space wound models. Results showed wound healing efficacy which was attributed to epithelization. (18)

Analgesic: Study on wistar rats evaluated a leaf extract of K. pinnata for analgesic activity. Results showed significant analgesic activity by hot plate and tail flick methods. (19)

Antidiabetic / Hypolipidemic / Flowers: Study evaluated the antidiabetic and hypolipidemic activities of methanolic flower extracts in streptozotocin-induced diabetic wistar rats. Results showed significant reduction of blood glucose, serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels. (20)

Analgesic / Cytotoxic Activity/ Flowers: Study evaluated various extracts of four medicinal plants for analgesic and cytotoxic activities by acetic acid-induced writhing and brine shrimp lethality assay. The bark of K. pinnata showed significant analgesic and cytotoxic activity and may have a potential in the treatment of pain and tumor. (21)

Antimicrobial / Cytotoxic Activity/ Flowers: Study of leaf, stem bark and root extracts of K. africana and S. hispidus showed antimicrobial, antioxidant, and enhanced wound healing properties and may justify its medicinal use for the treatment of microbial infections and wounds. (22)

Anti-Inflammatory / Fruit: A methanolic extract of fruit was studied in various in vivo models of inflammation in rats and mice. Result showed dose-dependent and significant inhibition in all experimental models comparable to standard drugs. Acute toxicity study showed no mortality in dose up to 2000 mg/kg p.o. (23)

Antiamoebic Activity / Iridoids: Study evaluated the antiamoebic activity of iridoids isolated from K. pinnata stem bark butanol extract. Three known iridoids were isolated, viz., specioside, verminoside, and minecoside and tested against HK-9 strain of Entamoeba histolytica. Verminoside showed two-fold antiamoebic activity compared to standard drug. Specioside showed comparable activity with metronidazole. (24)

Anti-Melanoma / Cytotoxicity / Fruits: Study evaluated components of fruits of K. pinnata with potential growth inhibitory activity against human melanoma cells. Crude fractions showed cytotoxicity in vitro against human melanoma cells. Compounds isolated included isocoumarins, (demethylkigelin and kigelin), fatty acids (oleic and heneicosanoic acids), the furonaphthoquinone, 2-(1-hydroxyethyl)-naphtho[2,3-b]furan-4,9-dione, and ferulic acid. The furonaphthoquinones showed cytotoxic effect in two human breast cancer cell lines tested. (25)

DISCLAIMER: Make sure you do NOT have any allergies to the product by testing a small area on your skin first. Pregnant women or people being treated for skin or hair problems should consult with a physician before using. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Results may vary. Kigelia is not FDA approved.