No documentation.
Aourmi, Issin, Zent, Issel, Dje, Rue, Common rue, Herb of Grace, Ruda, Herbygrass, Rue officinale, Garden rue, German rue.
Ruta Graveolens is an evergreen shrub that grows up to one metre tall, with ramified stems and grey/green leaves. The plant flowers in the spring and produces small, lobulate fruits. The plant is known for its offensive odour.
R. Graveolens is native to southern Europe and parts of Africa. It is now found in temperate and tropical parts of the world including South America and North America where it was introduced from Europe in the 1500’s [1].
Glycosides (eg…rutin), quinoline alkaloids, acridone alkaloids, furanocoumarins (psoralen, bergapten, xanthotoxin, isopimpinellin, imperatorin); tannins, sterols.
Alcohols (methyl-ethyl-carbinol, pinene, limenenes) [2][3][4][5][6].
Roots, aerial parts, leaves [8][9][10][11].
R. Graveolens has been used traditionally in South African medicine for a variety of applications and, along with Artemesia afra is considered one of the most popular herbs in South Africa [7].
Typically the leaves of R. Graveolens are used for their medicinal properties. Leaf infusions and decoctions have been used in order to promote respiratory health. Alcoholic infusions have been used as well as leaf infusions in order to treat respiratory maladies [8]. Similar alcoholic infusions have been used to ease symptoms of poor cardiac health [9]. In cases of fever, and often hysterical fever, either a leaf decoction [9] or a decoction of leaves and stem is drunk [10]. Similarly, Leaf infusions have been used for epilepsy and hysteria [11].
R. Graveolens has also been used externally for a variety of reasons, though usually as an analgesic or inflammatory. In cases of earache or toothache, fresh leaves are bruised and placed directly on the affected area [8]. In order to treat various swelling, a poultice made of crushed fruit is applied [9].
Pre-clinical
Various extracts of R. Graveolens and/or the active constituents have demonstrated mutagenic activity. One study examining the mutagenic activity against Salmonella typhimurium strain TA98 determined that there were various mechanisms involved including but not limited to the furoquinolines [12]. Additional examination of activity against strains of S. typhimurium demonstrated that the alkaloid rutacridone is metabolized by rat liver enzymes into rutacridone epoxide, which exhibits stronger mutagenic action [13]. Additional animal models have examined both a Ruta extract and a homeopathic preparation and found that administration of both resulted in chromosomal aberrations in bone marrow cells [14].
Traditional use of R. Graveolens as an anti-inflammatory has been verified in animal models. In adjuvant arthritis in rats, a dose of 20mg/kg demonstrated a reduction in oedema within a three week period and comparable to indomethacin. This model also demonstrated an increase in measured anti-oxidant status in rats receiving the methanol extract of R. Graveolens demonstrated by an increase in activity of Vitamins C and E and reduce glutathione [15]. R. Graveolens also contains some antioxidants [16]. Another investigation into the anti-inflammatory properties of R. Graveolens found that a methanol extract of the whole plant at 50% concentration was found to inhibit the expression of iNOS and the COX-2 gene in a lipopolysaccharide induced inflammatory cell model [17][18].
Antimicrobial activity of various preparations including the essential oil [19] of R. Graveolens has been demonstrated in several studies [19][20]. In one of these studies, a chemical constituent of Aourmi, rutacridone epoxides, was found to be more effective than ethacridine lactate [22]. Other studies have demonstrated activity against both gram positive and gram negative bacteria, fungi [23] and Trichomonas vaginalis [21][24].
Additional pre-clinical studies have examined the anti-arythmic properties of Aourmi [25]; the cytotoxic properties of Aourmi [26][27]; it’s possible action as an MAO inhibitor [28]; as a possible male contraceptive [29]; and as an analgesic [30]. There have also been investigations into its use as a chemotherapeutic agent, but these findings have not been clinically evaluated [27][31][32].
Clinical
No documentation.
Interaction with other Herbs
No documentation.
Interaction with Drugs
No documentation.
Side effects
Large doses of R. Graveolens may cause excessive vomiting and elimination.
Pregnancy
R. Graveolens is an abortifacient and, in some cultures is still used to induce abortion [33]. Not to be used by pregnant or nursing women, or by those planning on becoming pregnant. There have been case reports of post-abortion sepsis in a related Ruta species [34].
Age limitation
No documentation.
Adverse reaction
R. Graveolens causes phytophotodermatitis [35] exhibiting skin lesions within 6 hours to two days after use [36]. Direct contact with the plant has resulted in severe allergic reactions that mimic burns [37].
R. Graveolens has been found in pre-clinical studies to have anti-androgenic effects in male rats, reducing sperm motility and size of testicular ducts [29].
While animal models have indicated that use of the herb does not compromise nutrition or kidney function, a case report of an older woman who ingested the herb indicated renal failure linked to use of the herb [38].
1) Western Herb