Black plum
StarVitex doniana
Synonyms: Vitex cuneata var. parvifolia, Vitex hornei, Vitex homblei, Vitex paludosa, Vitex poggei, Vitex chariensis, Vitex pachyphylla, Vitex lundensis, Vitex dewevrei, Vitex cuneata, Vitex umbrosa, Vitex cienkowskii
Traditionally used for
- Energy & fatigue
Western Herbalism Properties
Gallery
Botanical Description
Vitex doniana, the African black plum, is a medium-sized tree in the mint family Lamiaceae (formerly Verbenaceae) growing typically 4 to 8 meters tall and occasionally to 15 meters. The bark is rough and grey-brown, and the opposite leaves are digitately compound with 5 (occasionally 3 or 7) obovate to elliptic leaflets, each 6 to 16 centimeters long with entire margins. Small fragrant tubular two-lipped flowers are creamy-white to pale violet and borne in branched axillary cymes. The fleshy ovoid drupes up to about 2.5 centimeters long ripen from green through purple to glossy black, with a sweet edible pulp that gives the tree its common name. The species occurs across savannas, riverine woodland and forest margins through much of sub-Saharan Africa from Senegal to Ethiopia and south to Eswatini, Tanzania and Zambia, at elevations from sea level to 1,800 meters. The plant is a source of phytoecdysteroids including 21-hydroxyshidasterone.
Active Constituents
20-Hydroxyecdysone
Phytoecdysteroid (polyhydroxylated steroid)Concentration: Isolated from stem bark (varies geographically)
A major ecdysteroid of the stem bark, studied for adaptogenic, anabolic and antidepressant-like activity; it is one of the phytoecdysteroids underlying the traditional use of the bark for nervous and general tonic purposes.
Turkesterone
PhytoecdysteroidConcentration: Minor ecdysteroid of the stem bark
A hydroxylated ecdysteroid isolated alongside 20-hydroxyecdysone; ecdysteroids of this type are studied for anabolic and antioxidant effects.
Ajugasterone C
PhytoecdysteroidConcentration: Minor ecdysteroid of the stem bark
One of the characterized ecdysteroids from V. doniana bark, contributing to the plant's ecdysteroid profile that varies with geographic provenance.
Flavonoids
PolyphenolsConcentration: Leaves, fruit and bark
Flavonoids present across the plant's tissues account for much of its documented antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activity.
Saponins
Triterpenoid/steroidal glycosidesConcentration: Bark, leaves, roots
Detected in phytochemical screening of bark and leaf extracts; contribute to antimicrobial activity and to the foaming, emulsifying character of aqueous extracts.
Ascorbic acid (vitamin C)
Water-soluble vitaminConcentration: Notable in the ripe fruit pulp
The edible black plum fruit is a good dietary source of vitamin C along with minerals (potassium, calcium, magnesium), supporting its food and nutritional value.
Tannins
PolyphenolsConcentration: Bark and leaves
Astringent polyphenols consistent with the traditional use of bark decoctions for diarrhoea and wound care.
⚠ Drug Interactions
Antihypertensive drugs
Animal studies show V. doniana stem-bark extract produces a dose-dependent hypotensive effect, consistent with its traditional use for hypertension. Combined with antihypertensive medication this could be additive.
Clinical note: Monitor blood pressure if bark preparations are used alongside antihypertensive therapy.
Antidepressants (monoaminergic agents)
Phytoecdysteroids from V. doniana produced antidepressant-like effects in rodents through serotonergic, adrenergic and dopaminergic receptor mechanisms, so an additive interaction with monoaminergic antidepressants is plausible.
Clinical note: Theoretical only; based on animal pharmacology, no human interaction reports exist.
Preparation Methods
Stem-bark decoction
Parts: Stem bark
In Traditional African Medicine the bark is boiled in water and the decoction taken orally (or applied topically) for hypertension, epilepsy, spasms, insomnia and as an anti-infective. Preparation strength and dosing are empirical and not standardized.
Leaf infusion/decoction
Parts: Leaves
Leaf preparations are used traditionally for fevers, inflammatory conditions and as a wash; leaves are also eaten as a cooked vegetable in parts of West Africa.
Fresh fruit / fruit beverage
Parts: Ripe fruit
The sweet black ripe fruit is eaten fresh and is fermented or pressed into a juice, syrup or local wine; it is valued as a vitamin- and mineral-rich food.
Root decoction
Parts: Roots
Root decoctions feature in regional ethnomedicine for a range of complaints; these are traditional uses without formal dosing standards.
Evidence Tier
Limited evidence · 2 studiesRecorded studies by study design, strongest design at the top. This is a study-design tier only, not a GRADE rating: it does not weigh risk of bias, consistency or precision.
Systematic review / meta-analysis
0
Randomized controlled trial
0
Other clinical trial
0
Observational / case report
0
In vitro / animal
1
1 verified · 0 unverified
Other / unclassified
1
0 verified · 1 unverified
Verified: design read from PubMed for a DOI that resolves to the cited paper Unverified: taken from the study's recorded description
Clinical Studies
Potential of novel phytoecdysteroids isolated from Vitex doniana in the treatment of depression: involvement of monoaminergic systems
Three new phytoecdysteroids plus known ecdysteroids were isolated from the methanol stem-bark extract and produced antidepressant-like effects in the forced-swim and tail-suspension tests. Mechanistic experiments implicated alpha1/alpha2-adrenergic, 5-HT2, and dopamine D2 receptor systems.
Ecdysteroids from the Stem Bark of Vitex doniana Sweet (Lamiaceae; ex. Verbenaceae): A Geographically Variable African Medicinal Species
Reports isolation and structural characterization of ecdysteroids (including 20-hydroxyecdysone, turkesterone and ajugasterone C) from the stem bark and documents that the ecdysteroid profile varies with geographic origin, relevant to the plant's medicinal standardization.
Historical Texts
Traditional African Medicine / West African pharmacopoeia (ethnobotanical record)
Pre-colonial to present (oral tradition)References
- Ishola IO, Ochieng CO, Olayemi SO, Jimoh MO, Lawal SM. Potential of novel phytoecdysteroids isolated from Vitex doniana in the treatment of depression: involvement of monoaminergic systems . Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Behavior (2014) [DOI]
- Ochieng CO, et al.. Ecdysteroids from the Stem Bark of Vitex doniana Sweet (Lamiaceae; ex. Verbenaceae): A Geographically Variable African Medicinal Species . Antibiotics (Basel) (2021) [DOI]
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.
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