Hermetica Superfood Encyclopedia
The Short Answer
The stem bark of Entandrophragma angolense contains over 166 secondary metabolites dominated by limonoids and protolimonoids (69.28% of identified compounds), which inhibit LPS-induced nitric oxide production in macrophages and exhibit cytotoxic activity against multiple cancer cell lines. Isolated limonoids such as moluccensin O demonstrate NO inhibition at EC₅₀ = 81 μM, while triterpenoid compound 5 shows moderate cytotoxicity against breast and ovarian cancer cell lines at IC₅₀ values of 2.0–5.9 μM in preclinical models.
CategoryHerb
GroupAfrican
Evidence LevelPreliminary
Primary KeywordEntandrophragma angolense benefits
Tiama Mahogany — botanical close-up
Health Benefits
**Anti-inflammatory Activity**
Stem bark limonoids, particularly moluccensin O (EC₅₀ = 81 μM), and polyphenols such as (-)-catechin (EC₅₀ = 137 μM) suppress LPS-induced nitric oxide production in RAW 264.7 macrophages, suggesting a potential role in modulating inflammatory cascades.
**Traditional Antimalarial Use**
Entandrophragma angolense is employed in West African ethnomedicine for malaria treatment; the limonoid class present in abundance is recognized in phytochemical literature for documented antimalarial properties across related Meliaceae family species.
**Antimicrobial Efficacy**
Methanol stem bark extracts exhibit activity against Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida albicans, with multiple bioactive compounds acting synergistically to broaden the antimicrobial spectrum.
**Potential Anticancer Properties**
Isolated triterpenoid compound 5 (glabretal-type) demonstrates moderate in vitro cytotoxicity against MDA-MB-231 (breast), OVCAR3 (ovarian), MDA-MB-435, and HT29 (colorectal) cancer cell lines at IC₅₀ values between 2.0 and 5.9 μM, warranting further mechanistic investigation.
**Antioxidant Capacity**
The presence of (-)-catechin, flavonoids, tannins, and other polyphenols in stem bark extracts contributes to free radical scavenging activity, supporting the plant's traditional use in infection-related oxidative stress conditions.
**Neuroprotective Potential**
One isolated compound demonstrated a logBB value of 0.225, indicating blood-brain barrier permeability with an estimated 1.68-fold higher brain concentration than plasma, suggesting possible central nervous system bioavailability of select limonoids.
**Broad Phytochemical Diversity**: The bark's rich secondary metabolite profile
encompassing alkaloids, saponins, sterols, quinones, and tannins — supports multiple overlapping bioactivities consistent with its traditional use as a broad-spectrum antimicrobial and anti-infective remedy.
Origin & History
Natural habitat
Entandrophragma angolense is a large deciduous timber tree native to the humid tropical forests of West and Central Africa, with documented distribution across countries including Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. It thrives in moist lowland and submontane rainforest ecosystems, typically growing in areas with high annual rainfall and well-drained lateritic soils. The tree is highly valued both as a commercial timber species and as a traditional medicinal plant, with the stem bark being the primary part harvested for therapeutic preparations.
“Entandrophragma angolense occupies a significant role in the traditional medicine systems of West and Central African communities, where healers have long employed the stem bark in preparations intended to treat malaria, microbial infections, and febrile illness. The plant belongs to the Meliaceae family, a group with deep roots in African ethnopharmacology, and shares traditional therapeutic applications with related species such as Entandrophragma utile and Khaya senegalensis, all of which are used across the forest belt regions of sub-Saharan Africa. Preparation typically involves the collection of outer and inner stem bark, which is dried, pounded, and either decocted in water or macerated in palm wine or local spirits to extract bioactive constituents. The dual identity of the tree as both a prized commercial timber (tiama mahogany) and a medicinal resource reflects the deep integration of forest ecology and healing practice in communities across Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, and neighboring nations.”Traditional Medicine
Scientific Research
Available scientific evidence for Entandrophragma angolense is limited exclusively to in vitro cell-based assays and acute animal toxicity studies, with no published human clinical trials identified in the literature to date. Phytochemical profiling studies have catalogued over 166 secondary metabolites from 80% ethanolic stem bark extracts, with one study processing 5 kg of dried bark to yield 1.2 kg crude extract for isolation and structural characterization. Cytotoxicity data against four cancer cell lines and antimicrobial inhibition zone assays represent the primary pharmacological endpoints studied, providing preliminary proof-of-concept but no dose-response or efficacy data applicable to human clinical practice. The evidence base places this ingredient firmly in the preclinical discovery phase, and substantial translational research including pharmacokinetic studies, mechanism elucidation, and randomized controlled trials in humans is required before any therapeutic claims can be substantiated.
Preparation & Dosage
Traditional preparation
**Aqueous Decoction (Traditional)**
Stem bark is boiled in water and the decoction consumed orally; no standardized volume or concentration has been established in clinical literature, though this is the most common traditional preparation across West African communities.
**Ethanolic Extract (Research Grade)**
80% ethanol extraction of dried stem bark has been used in laboratory studies; no human-applicable dose has been derived from these preparations.
**Methanol Extract (Research Grade)**
Used in antimicrobial studies; specific concentrations tested in vitro range from minimum inhibitory concentration assay levels but are not translatable to oral supplemental dosing.
**Standardization**
No commercial standardization percentages for specific limonoids, triterpenoids, or polyphenols have been published or validated for consumer supplements.
**Effective Dose Range**
5000 mg/kg without observed toxicity, but this does not constitute a therapeutic dose recommendation
No evidence-based effective dose range exists for humans; animal acute toxicity studies used doses up to .
**Timing and Administration**
Traditional use does not follow a documented standardized protocol; bark preparations are typically consumed during acute febrile illness associated with suspected malaria or infection.
Nutritional Profile
Entandrophragma angolense stem bark is not used as a food source and does not contribute meaningfully to macronutrient or micronutrient intake. Its bioactive profile is dominated by secondary metabolites: limonoids and protolimonoids constitute approximately 69.28% of identified compounds (over 166 total secondary metabolites identified from ethanol extract), with glabretal-type, tirucallane-type, and seco-tirucallane-type triterpenoids representing major structural classes. Polyphenols include (-)-catechin and unspecified flavonoids and tannins; alkaloids, saponins, sterols, and quinones have also been detected via phytochemical screening. Bioavailability of specific compounds is largely undetermined in humans, though one compound demonstrated CNS penetrability (logBB = 0.225), suggesting at least partial systemic absorption and distribution for select limonoid structures.
How It Works
Mechanism of Action
Limonoids in the stem bark, including moluccensin O, inhibit nitric oxide synthase induction in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages, reducing inflammatory mediator production through suppression of the NF-κB-associated pro-inflammatory signaling pathway implicated in macrophage activation. Glabretal-type and tirucallane-type triterpenoids exhibit cytotoxic effects against cancer cell lines likely through disruption of cell membrane integrity or interference with cell cycle progression, though specific receptor or enzyme targets have not yet been fully characterized in published literature. The polyphenolic constituents, particularly (-)-catechin, contribute to antioxidant activity via direct free radical neutralization and potential modulation of oxidative stress enzymes such as superoxide dismutase. The synergistic interaction among alkaloids, saponins, tannins, and limonoids observed in antimicrobial assays suggests a multi-target mechanism that may disrupt microbial cell wall biosynthesis, membrane permeability, and metabolic enzyme function simultaneously.
Clinical Evidence
No human clinical trials have been conducted on Entandrophragma angolense extracts or isolated compounds, representing a critical gap in the evidence base for this traditionally used medicinal plant. The entirety of current pharmacological data derives from in vitro experiments using macrophage and cancer cell lines and from acute oral toxicity studies in rodent models, neither of which directly predicts clinical efficacy or safety in humans. Acute toxicity studies report LD₅₀ values exceeding 5000 mg/kg for both aqueous and ethanolic stem bark extracts in animal models, classified as low toxicity by OECD criteria, but this finding cannot be directly extrapolated to human dosing without formal Phase I safety trials. Until rigorously designed clinical studies measuring standardized endpoints are completed, all purported benefits remain preliminary and the plant should be considered a research-stage candidate rather than a clinically validated therapeutic.
Safety & Interactions
Acute oral toxicity studies in animal models report no observed adverse effects at doses up to 5000 mg/kg for both aqueous and ethanolic stem bark extracts, classifying them as category 5 (low toxicity) under OECD guidelines; however, these findings cannot be directly extrapolated to chronic human use or therapeutic dosing without controlled clinical studies. No human safety data, documented adverse event profiles, or pharmacovigilance reports are available in the published literature, making it impossible to characterize the risk profile for human supplementation with confidence. Drug interactions have not been studied; the presence of alkaloids and flavonoids raises theoretical concern for interactions with cytochrome P450 enzymes (particularly CYP3A4, which metabolizes many antimalarial and antiretroviral drugs), though no empirical interaction data exist. Use during pregnancy and lactation is not recommended given the complete absence of safety data in these populations, and individuals with liver conditions should exercise caution given the high alkaloid and tannin content typical of Meliaceae bark extracts.
Synergy Stack
Hermetica Formulation Heuristic
Also Known As
Entandrophragma angolenseTiama mahoganyAfrican mahogany (tiama type)Gedu nohorEdinam
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Entandrophragma angolense used for in traditional medicine?
In West and Central African traditional medicine, Entandrophragma angolense stem bark is primarily used to treat malaria, microbial infections, and febrile illness. Preparations typically involve boiling the dried bark in water to produce a decoction consumed orally, a method corroborated by phytochemical studies confirming the presence of biologically active limonoids, alkaloids, and polyphenols in aqueous extracts.
What are the main bioactive compounds in Entandrophragma angolense?
The stem bark contains over 166 secondary metabolites, with limonoids and protolimonoids accounting for approximately 69.28% of identified compounds. Key isolated constituents include moluccensin O (a limonoid with NO inhibition EC₅₀ = 81 μM), (-)-catechin (EC₅₀ = 137 μM for NO inhibition), and glabretal-type triterpenoids with cytotoxic activity against cancer cell lines at IC₅₀ values of 2.0–5.9 μM.
Is Entandrophragma angolense safe to consume?
Animal acute toxicity studies report no adverse effects at oral doses up to 5000 mg/kg for both aqueous and ethanolic extracts, classifying them as low toxicity under OECD standards. However, no human clinical safety trials have been conducted, drug interactions have not been studied, and use during pregnancy or lactation is not recommended due to the complete absence of safety data in those populations.
Has Entandrophragma angolense been tested in human clinical trials?
No human clinical trials have been published for Entandrophragma angolense. All available pharmacological evidence comes from in vitro cell-based studies and rodent acute toxicity models, meaning efficacy and safety in humans remain unestablished and the ingredient is best characterized as a preclinical research candidate.
What is the correct dose of Entandrophragma angolense extract?
No standardized or evidence-based dose has been established for human use of Entandrophragma angolense. Laboratory research has used 80% ethanolic and methanol stem bark extracts at concentrations relevant to cell assays, but these cannot be converted into oral supplemental doses without pharmacokinetic and clinical trial data. Traditional healers use variable amounts of stem bark decoction without a fixed standardized protocol.
How does Tiama Mahogany's anti-inflammatory mechanism compare to other herbal anti-inflammatories?
Tiama Mahogany (Entandrophragma angolense) suppresses nitric oxide production in macrophages through limonoids like moluccensin O and polyphenols such as (-)-catechin, targeting inflammatory cascade pathways at the cellular level. Unlike broad-spectrum NSAIDs, this mechanism works through selective enzyme inhibition (EC₅₀ values of 81 μM and 137 μM respectively) rather than systemic COX inhibition, potentially offering a more targeted anti-inflammatory approach with different side effect profiles.
What is the bioavailable form of Tiama Mahogany for maximum therapeutic benefit?
Stem bark extracts of Entandophragma angolense are the most researched and bioavailable form, as they concentrate the active limonoids and polyphenolic compounds responsible for anti-inflammatory activity. Standardized extracts targeting moluccensin O and (-)-catechin content are preferable to whole plant preparations, as these isolate the compounds demonstrated in vitro to suppress LPS-induced nitric oxide production.
Who should consider Tiama Mahogany supplementation based on its traditional and modern evidence?
Individuals seeking natural support for inflammatory conditions may benefit from Tiama Mahogany, particularly given its traditional use in West African ethnomedicine for inflammatory-related conditions and modern evidence of macrophage-targeting anti-inflammatory activity. Those interested in complementary approaches to immune modulation or inflammatory management—especially if sensitive to conventional anti-inflammatories—represent the primary user population, though clinical evidence in specific populations remains limited.
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