Adhatoda Vasica Leaf Extract
Also known as: Adhatoda vasica Nees, Malabar nut, Vasaka, Adhatoda vasica
Overview
Adhatoda vasica leaf extract is derived from the leaves of a medicinal plant traditionally used in Ayurvedic and other traditional medicine systems. It contains bioactive alkaloids such as vasicine, which have been studied for various pharmacological effects. The extract is primarily used for respiratory ailments, anti-inflammatory purposes, and more recently investigated for antidiabetic, antiviral, and immunomodulatory effects. Research on A. vasica is moderately mature, with a growing number of in vitro, in silico, and some clinical studies, but systematic reviews and meta-analyses remain limited. Its active constituents include alkaloids, notably vasicine, and flavonoids like quercetin. It is categorized as a herbal supplement and botanical extract.
Benefits
Adhatoda vasica leaf extract shows promising benefits across several areas. Its ethanolic extract has demonstrated antidiabetic activity by inhibiting α-amylase, an enzyme crucial for carbohydrate digestion, with reported inhibition rates of approximately 56.7% at 1000 μg/mL. Vasicine and quercetin are key compounds contributing to this effect, showing high binding affinity to α-amylase in molecular docking studies, suggesting a potential role in blood glucose regulation. Immunomodulatory effects have been observed in a randomized open-label clinical study where A. vasica extract, alone or combined with Tinospora cordifolia, improved viral clearance and modulated markers of hypoxia, inflammation, and thrombosis in mild COVID-19 patients without adverse effects. Vasicine also exhibits anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties by inhibiting enzymes involved in these pathways, such as cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase. Preliminary in vitro studies suggest potential antimicrobial and anticancer activities, though these lack clinical validation. Additionally, aqueous extracts have shown complex immune modulation, enhancing antibody production (IgG) while inhibiting T-cell proliferation and nitric oxide production in vitro.
How it works
The primary mechanism of action for Adhatoda vasica involves its main bioactive alkaloid, vasicine. Vasicine, along with quercetin, inhibits α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes, which are responsible for carbohydrate breakdown and glucose absorption, thereby potentially reducing post-meal blood glucose spikes. Molecular docking studies confirm strong binding of these compounds to α-amylase, supporting their enzyme inhibitory effects. In clinical settings, the extract has been observed to modulate hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α) and reduce inflammatory markers like ferritin and VEGF, suggesting anti-hypoxic and anti-inflammatory mechanisms. Its immunomodulatory effects may involve enhancing B-cell antibody production while suppressing T-cell proliferation, possibly through nitric oxide pathways, indicating a complex interaction with the immune system.
Side effects
Clinical trial data, specifically from a study on mild COVID-19 patients, reported no adverse effects associated with the use of Adhatoda vasica extract. Generally, no significant safety concerns or contraindications have been widely reported in the reviewed studies. However, comprehensive toxicological data for this extract are limited, meaning long-term safety and effects at higher doses are not fully understood. Potential interactions with medications that affect glucose metabolism (e.g., antidiabetic drugs) or immune function (e.g., immunosuppressants) have not been extensively studied, and caution is advised. Due to its immunomodulatory effects, individuals with autoimmune diseases or those currently on immunosuppressant medications should exercise caution and consult a healthcare professional before use, as the extract could potentially alter immune responses.
Dosage
Specific dosing guidelines for Adhatoda vasica leaf extract are not well established due to the limited number of comprehensive clinical trials. In vitro studies investigating enzyme inhibition, such as α-amylase inhibition, typically used extract concentrations around 1000 μg/mL. While a clinical trial in mild COVID-19 patients utilized herbal extract formulations containing A. vasica, the exact dosing details and standardized protocols from this study are not readily available in the provided summaries. Traditional use and pharmacopoeial sources may offer some guidance on dosing, but these recommendations lack modern clinical validation and standardization. Therefore, there is no universally accepted or clinically validated dosage range for specific health conditions, and users should exercise caution.
FAQs
Is Adhatoda vasica safe for diabetes?
Preliminary in vitro evidence suggests it may help regulate blood glucose by inhibiting carbohydrate-digesting enzymes, but clinical trials in diabetic patients are needed to confirm safety and efficacy.
Can it be used for COVID-19?
One open-label randomized controlled trial showed benefits in mild COVID-19 patients, including improved viral clearance, but larger-scale, placebo-controlled trials are necessary for definitive conclusions.
Are there side effects?
No significant adverse effects have been reported in clinical studies to date. However, comprehensive toxicological data are limited, and caution is advised for those on immunosuppressants.
How fast do benefits appear?
In the COVID-19 trial, viral clearance improvement was observed within the study duration. In vitro enzyme inhibition is immediate, but human physiological effects may vary.
Research Sources
- https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/27536130241270621 – This in vitro and in silico study investigated the α-amylase inhibitory activity of Adhatoda vasica ethanolic extract. It found that the extract inhibited α-amylase by approximately 56.7% at 1000 μg/mL, with vasicine and quercetin showing strong binding affinity to the enzyme, suggesting potential antidiabetic effects. The study provides mechanistic insights but lacks clinical correlation.
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11365037/ – This randomized open-label clinical trial evaluated Adhatoda vasica extract in mild COVID-19 patients. It reported that the extract improved viral clearance and modulated markers of hypoxia, inflammation, and thrombosis without adverse effects. While providing clinical data, the study is limited by its open-label design, small sample size, and lack of a placebo control.
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10696694/ – This in vitro and in silico study explored the potential of vasicine from Adhatoda vasica. It indicated that vasicine exhibits inhibitory properties against enzymes linked to diabetes, inflammation, and viral infections. The research offers mechanistic insights into vasicine's broad pharmacological activities but requires clinical validation in human subjects.