Clerodendrum Indicum
Also known as: Clerodendrum indicum, Tubeflower, Skyrocket, Clerodendrum indicum (L.) Kuntze
Overview
Clerodendrum indicum, also known as Tubeflower or Skyrocket, is a medicinal plant native to India, traditionally used in various Indian systems of medicine. It is rich in diverse phytochemicals, including flavonoids, steroids, terpenoids, glycosides, tannins, and alkaloids. Research suggests its potential for anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, antiulcer, antidiabetic, and anticancer properties. While traditional use is widespread, the scientific evidence is primarily derived from in vitro and in vivo animal studies, with a notable absence of high-quality human clinical trials. This means that while the plant shows promise, its efficacy and safety in humans are not yet fully established. The plant's leaves also possess nutritional value, indicating its potential as a food source.
Benefits
Clerodendrum indicum exhibits several potential benefits, primarily supported by preclinical research. Its antiulcer activity has been demonstrated in animal models, where methanolic extracts showed protective effects against aspirin-induced gastric ulcers and improved stomach morphology, even in Helicobacter pylori-infected stomachs. The plant's rich flavonoid and phenolic content contributes to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, observed in preliminary studies. It also shows antimicrobial activity against various pathogens, aligning with its traditional use for infections. Furthermore, compounds like clerodermic acid, found in related Clerodendrum species, have shown binding affinity to diabetes-related proteins (GSK3B, PPARG, DPP4, STAT3) in in silico studies, suggesting potential antidiabetic effects, though direct clinical evidence is lacking. The leaves also possess nutritional value, indicating their potential as a nutrient-rich food source.
How it works
The biological activities of Clerodendrum indicum are primarily attributed to its diverse array of secondary metabolites, particularly flavonoids. These compounds are believed to exert their effects by acting as antioxidants, inhibiting certain enzymes, and modulating inflammatory pathways within the body. For instance, the potential antidiabetic effects may involve interactions with key metabolic proteins that regulate glucose homeostasis, such as PPARG and DPP4. Its antiulcer effects are thought to involve the protection of the gastric mucosa and potential inhibition of Helicobacter pylori, although the precise molecular pathways underlying these actions require further elucidation. Overall, the plant's phytochemicals appear to interact with various biological systems to produce its observed therapeutic properties.
Side effects
Comprehensive human safety data and clinical adverse event profiles for Clerodendrum indicum are currently unavailable in the reviewed literature. While traditional use suggests general tolerability, formal toxicological studies and rigorous clinical safety assessments in humans are lacking. Therefore, the full spectrum of potential side effects, their severity, and frequency remain undefined. There are no reported drug interactions or contraindications identified from the available preclinical data. Due to the absence of human clinical trials, specific risk factors for adverse effects cannot be definitively identified. Users should exercise caution and consult with a healthcare professional before using Clerodendrum indicum, especially if pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking other medications, as its safety profile in these populations is unknown.
Dosage
Currently, there are no established clinical dosing guidelines for Clerodendrum indicum due to the lack of human clinical trials. The existing research primarily involves animal studies, which utilized various forms of extracts, predominantly methanolic extracts, with widely varying doses. These animal doses cannot be directly extrapolated to humans. Therefore, minimum effective and safe doses for human consumption have not been defined. Without human data, it is impossible to specify recommended dosage ranges, timing considerations, or different dosages for various purposes. Furthermore, upper limits and safety thresholds for human use are unknown. Further rigorous research, including human clinical trials, is essential to determine appropriate and safe dosing regimens for Clerodendrum indicum.
FAQs
Is Clerodendrum indicum safe for human use?
While traditional use suggests some level of safety, there is insufficient clinical safety data from human trials to definitively confirm its safety for widespread human consumption. Formal toxicological studies are lacking.
What are the expected benefits of Clerodendrum indicum?
Preclinical studies suggest potential antiulcer, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antidiabetic effects. However, these findings are from animal and in vitro models, and human efficacy has not been established.
How quickly can one expect to see effects from Clerodendrum indicum?
Animal studies indicate effects in acute models, typically within days to weeks. However, there is no human data available to determine the onset of effects in people.
Research Sources
- https://ijppr.humanjournals.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/50-Nitin-Kumar-Dr.-Dharmendra-Kumar-Shrivastava-Dr.-Yogendra-Singh-Avinash-Singh-Kushwah-Sunil-Singh-Narwaria.pdf – This preclinical study investigated the antiulcer effects of Clerodendrum indicum methanolic extract in rats with aspirin-induced gastric ulcers. The findings indicated that the extract significantly reduced ulcer formation and improved gastric morphology, suggesting its potential as an antiulcer agent. The study provides preliminary evidence for the plant's traditional use in gastrointestinal issues.
- https://ijprajournal.com/issue_dcp/A%20Brief%20Study%20on%20Medicinal%20Plant%20Clerodendrum%20Species%20A%20Review%20Article.pdf – This review article provides an overview of various medicinal properties of Clerodendrum species, including Clerodendrum indicum. It highlights the presence of various phytochemicals and their associated antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial activities. The review synthesizes existing literature to support the traditional uses of the plant.
- https://jbr.rgu.ac.in/img/pdf/october-december2024/15.%20ARTICLE%20NO%20PDJBR125%20FINAL%20doi.pdf – This study assessed the proximate and nutritional content of Clerodendrum indicum leaves. The findings indicate that the leaves possess significant nutritional value, suggesting their potential as a nutrient-rich food source. This research contributes to understanding the plant's broader utility beyond its medicinal properties.
- https://ejournal2.undip.ac.id/index.php/jbtr/article/view/17607/0 – This in silico and phytochemical study explored compounds from Clerodendrum species for their potential antidiabetic activity. It identified specific compounds, like clerodermic acid, that showed binding affinity to diabetes-related proteins (GSK3B, PPARG, DPP4, STAT3). This research provides a theoretical basis for the plant's antidiabetic potential, warranting further in vivo and clinical validation.
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11661801/ – This systematic review focused on the flavonoids found in the Clerodendrum genus and their associated biological activities. It identified various flavonoids with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antidiabetic properties. While broad in scope, it supports the phytochemical basis for the observed bioactivities of Clerodendrum indicum.
