Montanoa Tomentosa Extract
Also known as: Montanoa tomentosa Cerv., Tree daisy, Zoapatle, Montanoa tomentosa
Overview
Montanoa tomentosa, commonly known as zoapatle or tree daisy, is a shrub native to Mexico and Central America, belonging to the Asteraceae family. Traditionally, it has been utilized in Mexican herbal medicine for its purported aphrodisiac, anxiolytic, and antidepressant properties, as well as for inducing labor and controlling postpartum bleeding. Extracts, typically derived from the leaves or aerial parts, contain bioactive compounds believed to exert oxytocic and neuroactive effects. While preclinical studies in rodents suggest potential benefits in facilitating sexual behavior and exhibiting anxiolytic-like effects, human clinical data are very limited. The current research primarily consists of animal studies and pharmacological characterization, with no systematic reviews or meta-analyses available to confirm its efficacy or safety in humans.
Benefits
Montanoa tomentosa extract has demonstrated several potential benefits, primarily in animal models. Its most prominent effect is an aphrodisiac property, where oral administration of crude aqueous extract significantly facilitates sexual behavior in male rats, increasing mounting frequency and inducing activity in previously inactive males. This effect is linked to spinal ejaculatory motor patterns and oxytocic activity, with strong evidence from controlled animal studies. Additionally, chronic administration in female rats has shown anxiolytic and antidepressant-like effects, reducing immobility time in forced swimming tests and exhibiting anxiolytic-like behavior comparable to fluoxetine, particularly under low ovarian hormone conditions. These mood-modulating effects are supported by experimental animal studies. Traditional uses also include diuretic properties and treatment of dysentery, but these have not been well-studied in controlled trials. The anxiolytic benefits appear to be modulated by hormonal status, being more pronounced in low hormone states.
How it works
The aphrodisiac effects of Montanoa tomentosa are primarily mediated by its oxytocic activity, which is believed to influence spinal ejaculatory motor circuits, thereby facilitating sexual behavior. Its anxiolytic effects involve interaction with GABA_A receptors, a mechanism that appears to be modulated by the body's endocrine status. The extract acts on the central nervous system pathways that control both sexual behavior and mood. Furthermore, it exhibits effects on uterine smooth muscle due to its oxytocic properties. Known molecular targets include the GABA_A receptor for anxiolytic action and pathways affecting spinal ejaculatory motor neurons for sexual behavior. The exact absorption and bioavailability of the active compounds are not well characterized, as most studies utilize orally administered aqueous crude extracts in rodents.
Side effects
The safety profile of Montanoa tomentosa extract is not well established due to a significant lack of human clinical data and rigorous toxicology studies. While traditional use suggests some tolerability, no common, uncommon, or rare side effects have been reported in animal studies, and human data are unavailable. Potential drug interactions are unknown, but given its neuroactive and oxytocic properties, interactions with CNS depressants or other oxytocic drugs are plausible and warrant caution. Montanoa tomentosa is contraindicated during pregnancy due to its known oxytocic properties, which can induce labor or abortion. Safety in breastfeeding women is also not established. The anxiolytic effects are influenced by hormonal status, suggesting potential differential effects in various populations. Comprehensive safety warnings are limited by the scarcity of research.
Dosage
Currently, there are no established human dosing guidelines for Montanoa tomentosa extract. Animal studies have utilized oral doses of aqueous crude extract ranging from approximately 100–300 mg/kg. The minimum effective dose, optimal dosage ranges, and maximum safe dose for humans remain unknown. For sexual effects, acute dosing has been observed in animal models, while anxiolytic/antidepressant effects required chronic administration. Research typically uses aqueous crude extracts of the leaves. Absorption factors and required cofactors have not been characterized. Due to the lack of human safety and efficacy data, any use should be approached with extreme caution, and medical consultation is strongly advised.
FAQs
Is Montanoa tomentosa effective as an aphrodisiac in humans?
Currently, there are no clinical trials in humans to confirm its aphrodisiac effects. Evidence is limited to animal models, which have shown facilitation of sexual behavior.
Is Montanoa tomentosa safe during pregnancy?
No, it is not considered safe during pregnancy. Traditional uses include labor induction and abortion, indicating potential risks due to its oxytocic properties.
How quickly does Montanoa tomentosa work?
In animal studies, acute effects on sexual behavior have been observed after single doses. However, anxiolytic and antidepressant-like effects required chronic administration.
Are there known side effects of Montanoa tomentosa?
Data on side effects are severely lacking. While traditional use suggests some tolerability, rigorous safety studies in humans have not been conducted, and no specific side effects have been reported in animal studies.
Research Sources
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3731873/ – This animal study investigated the effects of Montanoa tomentosa extract on sexual behavior in male rats. It found that the aqueous crude extract significantly facilitated sexual behavior, increasing mounting and inducing sexual activity in previously inactive males, suggesting an oxytocic mechanism acting on spinal ejaculatory motor patterns. The study provides strong preclinical evidence for its aphrodisiac properties.
- https://blacpma.ms-editions.cl/index.php/blacpma/article/download/459/486/918 – This experimental study in female rats explored the anxiolytic and antidepressant-like effects of chronic Montanoa tomentosa administration. It reported that chronic infusion reduced immobility time in the forced swimming test, comparable to fluoxetine, and showed anxiolytic-like effects, particularly under low ovarian hormone conditions. This suggests potential mood-modulating properties in animal models.
- https://www.pagepressjournals.org/index.php/jbr/article/view/9399 – This narrative review summarizes the aphrodisiac, anxiolytic, and oxytocic properties of Montanoa tomentosa. It highlights the potential interaction with GABA_A receptors and the modulation of its effects by endocrine status. The review emphasizes the need for human clinical studies to validate the findings from preclinical research and understand its full therapeutic potential.
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15159142/ – This PubMed entry corresponds to the Carro-Juárez et al., 2004 study, which investigated the effects of Montanoa tomentosa on male rat sexual behavior. It confirms the findings that the aqueous crude extract facilitates sexual activity, increases mounting, and induces copulatory behavior in non-copulating males, supporting its traditional use as an aphrodisiac through an oxytocic mechanism.
