Indigo Pulchra
OTHER NAME(S): Bakin bunu, Balesama, Balkeyan, Indigofera, Namijin babar, Indigofera pulchra Willd., Indigofera dorycnium, Indigofera dupuisii, Indigofera tinctoria
Overview
Indigo pulchra is a small shrub that grows in West Africa.
Indigo pulchra is used for malaria, snake bites, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Indigo pulchra contains certain chemicals that seem to decrease sugar in the blood. It also might decrease pain and diarrhea. Some chemicals in indigo pulchra also seem to fight against the bugs that cause malaria.
Indigo pulchra contains certain chemicals that seem to decrease sugar in the blood. It also might decrease pain and diarrhea. Some chemicals in indigo pulchra also seem to fight against the bugs that cause malaria.
Uses
Insufficient Evidence for
- Diabetes.
- Diarrhea.
- Gout.
- Hemorrhoids.
- Inflammatory conditions.
- Malaria.
- Pain.
- Snakebites.
- Wound infections.
More evidence is needed to rate indigo pulchra for these uses.
Side Effects
When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information available to know if indigo pulchra is safe or what the side effects might be.
When taken by mouth: There isn't enough reliable information available to know if indigo pulchra is safe or what the side effects might be.
Precautions
When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information available to know if indigo pulchra is safe or what the side effects might be.
When taken by mouth: There isn't enough reliable information available to know if indigo pulchra is safe or what the side effects might be.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if indigo pulchra is safe to use when pregnant or breastfeeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Diabetes: Indigo pulchra might lower blood sugar levels. Using indigo pulchra along with diabetes medications might make blood sugar levels drop too low. Monitor blood sugar levels closely.
Surgery: Indigo pulchra might affect blood glucose levels. There is some concern that it might interfere with blood sugar control during and after surgery. Stop using indigo pulchra at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
Interactions
Moderate Interaction
Be cautious with this combination
- Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs) interacts with Indigo pulchraIndigo pulchra can decrease blood sugar levels. Diabetes medications are also used to lower blood sugar. Taking indigo pulchra along with diabetes medications might cause your blood sugar to be too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely. The dose of your diabetes medication might need to be changed. Some medications used for diabetes include glimepiride (Amaryl), glyburide (Diabeta, Glynase PresTab, Micronase), insulin, pioglitazone (Actos), rosiglitazone (Avandia), chlorpropamide (Diabinese), glipizide (Glucotrol), tolbutamide (Orinase), and others.
Dosing
The appropriate dose of indigo pulchra depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for indigo pulchra (in children/in adults). Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.
References
- Asase A, Oteng-Yeboah AA, Odamtten GT, Simmonds MS. Ethnobotanical study of some Ghanaian anti-malarial plants. J Ethnopharmacol. 2005 3;99(2):273-9.
- Hassan HS, Sule MI, Musa AM, Musa KY, Abubakar MS, Hassan AS. Anti-inflammatory activity of crude saponin extracts from five Nigerian medicinal plants. Afr J Tradit Complement Altern Med. 2011;9(2):250-5.
- Ibrahim S, Ibrahim MA, Musa AM, Aliyu AB, Haruna NS, and Okafor AI. Indigofera pulchra leaves extracts contain anti-Plasmodium berghei agents. Bangladesh J Pharmacol 2011; 6: 69-73.
- Mohammed A, Ahmed H, Goji ADT, Okpanachi AO, Ezekiel I, and Tanko Y. Preliminary Anti-diarrheal Activity of Hydromethanolic Extract of Aerial Part of Indigofera Pulchra in Rodents. Asian J Med Sci. 2009; 1(2): 22-25.
- Musa AM, Sule MI, Haruna AK, et al. Preliminary gastrointestinal studies of methanol extract of indigofera pulchra willd in rodents. Niger J Pharm Sci. 2008;7(1):86-92.
- Musa AM, Aliyu AB, Abdullahi MI, et al. Bioactive chalcone from Indigofera pulchra. J Med Plant Res. 2011; 5(22), 5444-5449.
- Saleh MIA, Halima H, Tanko Y, et al. Effect of Hydro-Methanolic Leaf Extract of Indigofera pulchra on Gastric Mucosal Damage and Acid Secretion in Rats. Afr J Biomed Res. 2017; 20; 93-98.
- Tanko Y, Abdelaziz MM, Adelaiye AB, Fatihu MY, Musa KY. Effects of Hydromethanolic leaves extract of Indigofera pulchra on blood glucose levels of normoglycemic and alloxan-induced diabetic Wistar rats. International Journal of Applied Research in Natural Products. 2009; 1(4): 13-18.
- Tanko Y, Mabrouk MA, Adelaiye AB, Fatihu MY, and Musa KY. Anti-diabetic and some haematological effects of ethylacetate and n-butanol fractions of Indigofera pulchra extract on alloxan-induced diabetic Wistar rats. J Endocrinol Diabetes. 2011; 2(1): 1-7.
- Tanko Y, Mohammed A, Mabrouk MA, Fatihu MY and Musa KY. Effects of N-Butanol And Ethylacetate Fractions of Indigofera Pulchra on Serum Lipid Peroxidation and Anti-Oxidant Enzymes on Normoglycaemic and Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Wistar Rats. Annals of Biological Sciences. 2014; 2(2):58-65.