Amra (Spondias mombin)

Amra (Spondias mombin) is a tropical fruit tree used in Siddha medicine containing tannins, flavonoids, and phenolic compounds. Its extracts demonstrate gastroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects by modulating gastric mucin production and reducing inflammatory cell migration.

Origin & History

Spondias mombin L., commonly known as amra or red mombin, is a tropical tree native to West Africa and the Americas belonging to the Anacardiaceae family. All parts of the tree—fruits, leaves, bark, roots, and gum—are utilized medicinally, with bioactive compounds typically extracted through decoction, aqueous extraction, methanolic extraction, or hexane extraction.

Historical & Cultural Context

S. mombin has been extensively used in West African traditional medicine, particularly in Nigeria, for treating infectious diseases, diabetes, and wound healing. Across Africa, the Caribbean, Brazil, Belize, and Mexico, various plant parts have been traditionally used for conditions ranging from digestive disorders and pain to respiratory ailments and parasitic infections.

Health Benefits

• Gastroprotective effects: Aqueous leaf extract (200 mg/kg) demonstrated ulcer healing and elevated gastric mucin levels in rat studies (animal evidence only)
• Anti-inflammatory activity: Hydroethanolic extract (100-500 mg/kg) significantly reduced leukocyte influx in mouse peritonitis models (preliminary evidence)
• Antioxidant properties: Methanolic leaf extract showed high antioxidant activity with IC₅₀ = 0.42 mg/mL in DPPH assays (in-vitro evidence)
• Antimicrobial effects: Phenolic acids and anacardic acid derivatives demonstrated antibacterial and beta-lactamase inhibitory activity (in-vitro evidence)
• Neuroprotective potential: Alkaloids and flavonoids produced sedative, anti-epileptic, and anxiolytic effects through CNS modulation (mechanism-based evidence only)

How It Works

Amra's gastroprotective effects involve increasing gastric mucin levels, which protect the stomach lining from acid damage. The anti-inflammatory activity appears to work through inhibition of leukocyte migration and inflammatory cell influx. Tannins and flavonoids in the extracts likely modulate inflammatory mediators and strengthen gastric mucosal barriers.

Scientific Research

The available research consists primarily of animal and in-vitro studies, with no human clinical trials or RCTs documented in the provided literature. Key preclinical findings include gastroprotective effects in indomethacin-induced ulcer models in rats and anti-inflammatory activity in carrageenan-induced peritonitis in mice. No PMIDs were provided in the research dossier for human clinical studies.

Clinical Summary

Current evidence for Amra is limited to animal studies only. Aqueous leaf extract at 200 mg/kg showed ulcer healing and elevated gastric mucin in rat models. Hydroethanolic extract (100-500 mg/kg) significantly reduced leukocyte influx in mouse peritonitis studies. No human clinical trials have been conducted to validate these preliminary findings.

Nutritional Profile

Amra (Spondias mombin) fruit pulp provides approximately 60-70 kcal per 100g fresh weight. Macronutrients: carbohydrates ~14-16g/100g (primarily simple sugars including glucose and fructose), dietary fiber ~1.5-2.5g/100g (both soluble and insoluble fractions), protein ~0.9-1.2g/100g, fat ~0.2-0.4g/100g. Key micronutrients: Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is the most documented micronutrient at approximately 42-57mg/100g fresh pulp, contributing meaningfully to daily requirements, though bioavailability is moderate due to co-occurring organic acids; Vitamin A precursors (beta-carotene) present at ~180-220 µg/100g responsible for the yellow-orange pigmentation; potassium ~220-260mg/100g; calcium ~12-18mg/100g; phosphorus ~25-35mg/100g; iron ~0.8-1.2mg/100g (non-heme form with relatively lower bioavailability, enhanced by co-consumed Vitamin C); magnesium ~14-20mg/100g. Bioactive compounds: Polyphenols are well-documented, including ellagic acid, gallic acid, quercetin, and kaempferol derivatives concentrated in the peel and leaves more than pulp; total phenolic content of leaf extracts reported at 85-120 mg GAE/g dry weight. Tannins (hydrolyzable type) present in leaves and bark. Carotenoids beyond beta-carotene include lutein and zeaxanthin in smaller quantities (~15-30 µg/100g combined). Terpenoids including lupeol and beta-sitosterol identified in leaf and bark fractions. The fruit's high organic acid content (citric, malic acids) lowers gastric pH and may reduce mineral bioavailability when consumed in large quantities. Leaf extracts, used medicinally, show considerably higher concentrations of polyphenols and terpenes than fruit pulp.

Preparation & Dosage

Animal studies used aqueous leaf extract at 200 mg/kg body weight for gastroprotective effects and hydroethanolic leaf extract at 100-500 mg/kg for anti-inflammatory effects. Traditional preparations include decoctions of bark, leaves, and flowers, but standardized human dosages have not been established. Consult a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement.

Synergy & Pairings

Quercetin, Resveratrol, Chlorogenic acid, Vitamin C, Ellagic acid

Safety & Interactions

No specific safety data exists for Amra supplementation in humans. Traditional use suggests general tolerability, but standardized toxicity studies are lacking. Potential interactions with gastric acid-reducing medications are theoretically possible given its gastroprotective mechanisms. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid use due to insufficient safety data.