Albizia lebbeck (L.) Benth.; Siris Tree; Sirus Tree.

. Albizia lebbeck. Image obtained from Flickr.com (Harrison, 2009).

In brief

Albizia lebbeck is a species of tree in the Fabaceae family endemic to India. In Ayurvedic medicine it stated to have numerous medicinal properties (Chintawar, 2002). The leaves are rich in saponins, in common with other species believed to have nootropic potential.

The active ingredient is thought to be one or more of the endogenous saponins, obtained from the dried leaves. Research in animal models provides some evidence in support of a nootropic effect.

Detailed analysis

Botanical overview

Medium to large tree; bipinnate leaves; produces clusters of showy flowers with many long stamens; fruit borne in dehiscent pods (FlowersOfIndia.in, n.d.). Visit FlowersOfIndia.com.

Seed pod of Albizia lebbeck

. Dry seed pods of Albizia lebbeck. Image obtained from Flickr.com (Mercadante, 2010).

Distribution

. Albizia lebbeck is endemic to India, shown in orange. Original image obtained from FreeUSandWorldMaps.com.

Ethnobotany

The bark and flowers have numerous medicinal uses people the indigenous communities of the Indian continent, with conditions of the skin often treated. The leaves are also used in the treatment of eye conditions. The wood itself is useful timber for construction, furniture and tool-making (Panhwar, 2007).

Research in the literature

Research paper: Yadav et al. (2011)

Yadav et al. (2011) report antiinflammatory, antihistaminic, antianaphylactic, antiasthmatic and antimicrobial properties (Yadav, 2011).

Research paper: Gupta et al. (2006)

Gupta et al. (2006), observed antispermatogenic and antiandrogenic effects in male rats administered a bark extract; suggesting a potential human male fertility control. (Gupta, 2006).

Research paper: Une et al. (2001)

Une et al. (2001) tested the effect of Albizia lebbeck extract on albino mice. Measurements of the mouse behaviour within an elevated plus maze were used to infer nootropic and anxiolytic properties. Mice treated with plant extract tended to spend more time in the open arm of the maze.

Related searches

These websites may offer additional information about this species.

Research paper: Chintawar et al. (2002)

Chintawar et al. (2002) performed two tests to measure the nootropic effect of an extract of Albizia lebbeck in mice. One test measured how effectively mice learned to avoid an electric shock. The other is a standardised test for anxiety in rodents called the elevated plus maze. Anxiolytic properties are believed to be part of the method by which nootropics function in the brain. (Chintawar, 2002).

Elevated plus maze

. The elevated plus maze system. Image obtained from OpenScience (OpenScience.ru, n.d.).

References

  • Chintawar, S.D., Somani, R.S., Kasture, V.S., Kasture, S.B. 2002. Nootropic activity of Albizzia [sic] lebbeck in mice. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 81. 299-305.
  • Gupta, R.S., Kachhawa, J.B.S., Chaudhary, R. 2006. Antispermatogenic, antiandrogenic activities of Albizia lebbeck (L). Benth. bark extract in male albino rats. Phytomedicine. 13. 277-283.
  • Ojha, R., Sahu, A.N., Muruganandam, A.V., Singh, G.K., Krishnamurthy, S. 2010. Asparagus recemosus [sic] enhances memory and protects against amnesia in rodent models. Brain & Cognition. 74. 1-9.
  • Panhwar, A.Q., Abro, H. 2007. Ethnobotanical studies of Mahal Kohistan (Khirthar National Park). Pakistan Journal of Botany. 39(7). 2301-2315.
  • Une, H.D., Sarveiya, V.P., Pal, S.C., Kasture, V.S., Kasture, S.B. 2001. Nootropic and anxiolytic activity of saponins of Albizzia [sic] lebbeck leaves. Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Behaviour. 69. 439-444.
  • Yadav, S.S., Galib, P.K., Harisha, P.C.R. 2011. Pharmcognostical screening and phytochemical evaluation of Albizia lebbeck Benth. heartwood. Asian Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences. 5. 01-06.

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