Desmodium

The Desmodium (Desmodium adscendens), is a herbaceous plant originating from tropical regions of Africa, Brazil, and India. It has been used for the treatment of health problems and recent studies show that it has the ability to contribute to the normalization of transaminases.

In Africa, its intensive use in traditional medicine to treat various liver problems, including viral hepatitis, is very common. In Ghana, both the stems and leaves of desmodium are widely used in the treatment of asthma¹.

The properties of desmodium were discovered by Dr. Pierre Tubéry in 1960 during his work at a dispensary in Cameroon. It was upon learning about the surprising results obtained with desmodium decoctions in the treatment of the icteric phase of viral hepatitis.

What are the main properties of desmodium?

Hepatoprotective properties:

The hepatoprotective effect of desmodium is related to its content of triterpenoid saponosides. According to an in vitro study, soyasaponins I and III, dehydrosoyasagenin I, and soyasapogenol E protect liver cells from damage and help to normalize the levels of liver transaminases, mainly TGO (ASAT)⁴. The results show the efficacy of desmodium on the progression of myalgia, jaundice, transaminases, and bilirubin in 45 days in the context of viral hepatitis^2,4.

Hepatic cytolysis:

Hepatic cytolysis is the destruction of liver cells, and this is due to liver poisoning from various causes: viruses, alcohol, or autoimmune. The main sign is an alteration in transaminases, especially GOT.

Desmodium is one of the main resources in natural medicine that contributes to the normalization of hepatic cytolysis⁴, being a great help in many liver pathologies.

Antioxidant and free radical properties:

Desmodium has great antioxidant power, a study shows its protective effect against oxidative stress on liver and kidney cells^5,7.

Anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, anti-asthmatic, and antispasmodic properties:

These properties are directly related to the inhibition of arachidonic acid and the reduction in the release of histamine, in the intestine and lungs, decreasing physiological reactions to allergic stimuli^2,8.

It contributes to the relaxation of smooth muscle, acting on the bronchi, due to its high content of dehydrosoyasaponin I, being very useful in a multitude of respiratory diseases³.

Desmodium helps in slowing down the central nervous system, contributing to analgesia and general relaxation.

The desmodium is useful:

• As a liver protector.
• In cases of hepatitis.
• For stress management.
• Having problems with insomnia.
• For support in mild respiratory problems and allergies⁶.

Vitobest® used for this supplement vegetable capsules (VegeCaps) suitable for vegan diets and free of titanium dioxide.

Bibliography:

¹Quaye Osbourne. Biochemical Toxicology of Desmodium adscendens. Biochemistry Thesis, University of Ghana, September, 2001.

²Addy M. et al., An extract of Desmodium adsendens inhibits NADPH-dependent oxygenation of arachidonic acid by kidney cortical microsomes; Phytother Res., 1992.

³McManus O.B. et al., An activator of calcium-dependent potassium channels isolated from a medicinal herb, Biochemistry, 1993.

⁴Miyao H. et al., Kaikasaponin III and soyasaponin I, major triterpene saponins of Abrus cantoninensis, act on GOT and GPT: influence on transaminase elevation of rat liver cells simultaneously exposed to CC14 for one hour, Planta Med., 1998.

⁵Safety of Desmodium adscendens extract on hepatocytes and renal cells. Protective effect against oxidative stress Céline François1 , Mourad Fares1 , Claudio Baiocchi2 , Jean Michel Maixent.

⁶Addy M. et al., Dose-response effects of aqueous extract of Desmodium adscendens on histamine response, content, and anaphylactic reactions in the guinea pig, J Ethnopharmacol., 1986.

⁷François C. et al., Safety of Desmodium adscendens extract on hepatocytes and renal cells. Protective effect against oxidative stress, J Intercult Ethnopharmacol., 2015.

⁸Addy M. et al., Some secondary plant metabolites in Desmodium adscendens and their effects on arachidonic acid metabolism, Prostaglandins Leukot Essential Fatty Acids, 1992.