Lebbek Tree
Also known as: Lebbek tree, Siris tree, East Indian walnut, Albizia lebbeck
Overview
Albizia lebbeck, commonly known as the Lebbek tree, is a deciduous tree widely utilized in traditional medicine across various cultures. It is recognized for its potential in treating a range of conditions, including respiratory, skin, gastrointestinal, neurological, and inflammatory disorders. The tree is rich in diverse phytochemicals such as alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, and terpenoids, which are believed to be responsible for its pharmacological activities. Research indicates potential antiallergic, anticancer, anticonvulsant, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, neuroprotective, and wound healing effects. While preclinical studies show promise, high-quality clinical trials in humans are limited, and much of the current evidence is derived from ethnopharmacological reviews and animal models.
Benefits
Albizia lebbeck exhibits several potential benefits, primarily supported by preclinical research. Its ethanolic bark extract has shown dose-dependent antimalarial activity in vivo against Plasmodium berghei, achieving up to 84.7% chemosuppression in mice, though less potent than chloroquine. Seed oil from the plant, rich in fatty acids, phenolics, and terpenoids, demonstrates antioxidant potential and antimicrobial activity against various bacteria and fungi. Animal studies suggest neuroprotective, anxiolytic, and antidepressant effects, possibly by modulating neurotransmitters like serotonin and GABA, indicating potential for mental health and neurodegenerative conditions. Furthermore, its leaves can be processed into a protein concentrate containing approximately 37% protein with good digestibility and low antinutritional factors, suggesting its potential as a nutritional supplement for malnutrition. Other reported preclinical effects include anti-inflammatory, antidiarrheal, antipyretic, antivenom, estrogenic, and wound healing activities.
How it works
The therapeutic effects of Albizia lebbeck are primarily attributed to its rich array of bioactive compounds, including alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, and terpenoids. These compounds are thought to exert their actions through various mechanisms, such as antioxidant activity, which helps neutralize free radicals and reduce oxidative stress. They may also modulate inflammatory pathways, thereby reducing inflammation. In the context of neuroprotection and CNS effects, these compounds are believed to regulate neurotransmitters like serotonin and GABA. Additionally, antimicrobial properties contribute to its effects against bacteria and fungi. However, the specific molecular targets and detailed biological pathways remain largely uncharacterized, and more mechanistic studies are needed to fully elucidate its mode of action. Oral bioavailability and pharmacokinetics in humans have not been well established.
Side effects
Acute toxicity studies in mice indicate a wide safety margin for Albizia lebbeck, with a median lethal dose (LD50) for ethanolic bark extract exceeding 5 g/kg. At therapeutic doses in animal models, no severe side effects have been reported. However, human safety data are currently lacking, meaning potential adverse effects, drug interactions, and contraindications in humans remain largely uncharacterized. Due to the absence of clinical trials, the full spectrum of side effects, their severity, and frequency in human populations are unknown. Individuals considering using Albizia lebbeck should exercise caution, especially given the lack of established human safety profiles and potential for interactions with medications or pre-existing health conditions. Comprehensive clinical research is necessary to determine its safety for human consumption.
Dosage
Currently, there are no standardized human dosing guidelines established for Albizia lebbeck due to the lack of rigorous clinical trials. Preclinical studies in mice investigating antimalarial activity observed effects at doses ranging from 100 to 1000 mg/kg/day. While a protein concentrate derived from its leaves has been developed and shows promise as a nutritional supplement, specific human dosing for this application has not been defined. Without clinical data, it is not possible to recommend effective or safe dosages for any specific condition in humans. Further clinical research is essential to determine appropriate dosage ranges, timing considerations, and upper safety limits for human use.
FAQs
Is Albizia lebbeck safe for human use?
Animal studies suggest low acute toxicity, but there is insufficient human safety data to confirm its safety for general human use. More research is needed.
Can it be used for malaria treatment?
Preclinical evidence shows antimalarial activity in animal models, but no clinical trials have confirmed its efficacy or safety for treating malaria in humans.
Does it help with anxiety or neuroprotection?
Animal studies indicate potential anxiolytic and neuroprotective benefits, but these findings require clinical validation in humans before any definitive claims can be made.
Is it a good protein supplement?
Leaf protein concentrate from Albizia lebbeck shows promise as a nutritional supplement in laboratory and animal studies due to its protein content and digestibility.
Research Sources
- https://ijmr.org.in/antimalarial-efficacy-of-albizia-lebbeck-leguminosae-against-plasmodium-falciparum-in-vitro-p-berghei-in-vivo/ – This in vivo RCT in mice demonstrated that an ethanolic bark extract of Albizia lebbeck exhibited dose-dependent antimalarial activity against Plasmodium berghei, achieving up to 84.7% chemosuppression. The study also established an LD50 >5 g/kg, indicating a wide safety margin in mice at therapeutic doses.
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9050289/ – This comprehensive systematic review summarized the phytochemical composition and pharmacological activities of Albizia lebbeck, identifying multiple bioactivities including antioxidant, neuroprotective, and anti-inflammatory effects. It highlighted the need for more mechanistic studies and clinical trials to validate preclinical findings.
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28816555/ – This experimental study focused on the development of a leaf protein concentrate from Albizia lebbeck. It found that the concentrate contained approximately 37% protein, exhibited good digestibility, and had low levels of antinutritional factors, suggesting its potential as a nutritional supplement.