Albizzia

As shirisha, the stem bark is an Ayurvedic medicine for asthma, bronchitis and allergic complaints. The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India lists it for eczema, itching, urticaria, cough, catarrh, colds, breathlessness, inflammation, ulcers, leprosy, snakebite and worm infestation ^{35Reference 35Balkrishna A et al. · 2022ReviewA comprehensive insight into the phytochemical, pharmacological potential, and traditional medicinal uses of Albizia lebbeck — reviewView study →}.

The bark is also used for gum inflammation and paralysis, and the root for wounds ^{18,35Reference 18Joshi et al. · 2013AnimalWound-healing potential of the root extract of Albizzia lebbeck — animal modelView study →Reference 35Balkrishna A et al. · 2022ReviewA comprehensive insight into the phytochemical, pharmacological potential, and traditional medicinal uses of Albizia lebbeck — reviewView study →}. It is taken as a decoction, or in compound preparations such as shirishavaleha and shirisharishta ^{7,8Reference 7Yadav et al. · 2012Clinical trialClinical efficacy of two different samples of Shirishavaleha in Tamaka Shwasa (bronchial asthma) — clinical trial (polyherbal)View study →Reference 8Chaurasia M et al. · 2025A pharmacological study of Shirisharishta and its antihistaminic effects in guinea pigs with reference to urticaria — animal + clinical (polyherbal)View study →}.

In the Siddha system of South India, the bark and flowers are used for arthritis ^{35Reference 35Balkrishna A et al. · 2022ReviewA comprehensive insight into the phytochemical, pharmacological potential, and traditional medicinal uses of Albizia lebbeck — reviewView study →}.

The Chinese remedy he huan pi (“collective happiness bark”) is the bark of Albizia julibrissin, the mimosa or silk tree, a related species. It is not albizzia (Albizia lebbeck) bark, and the two are not used interchangeably.

He huan pi is a remedy that calms the spirit, entering the Heart and Liver channels. It is used for low mood, restlessness, poor memory and insomnia.

Studies from 1979 onward show that the bark decoction stabilises mast cells in sensitised rats. It blocked antigen-triggered degranulation with an action like that of cromoglycate, and it also held back the early stages of sensitisation and antibody production ^{1,2Reference 1Tripathi et al. · 1979In vitroStudies on the mechanism of action of Albizzia lebbeck, an Indian indigenous drug used in the treatment of atopic allergy — animal/in vitro mast-cell studyView study →Reference 2Tripathi et al. · 1979Further studies on the mechanism of the anti-anaphylactic action of Albizzia lebbeck — animal studyView study →}. The bark worked best when given during sensitisation, before challenge ^{1Reference 1Tripathi et al. · 1979In vitroStudies on the mechanism of action of Albizzia lebbeck, an Indian indigenous drug used in the treatment of atopic allergy — animal/in vitro mast-cell studyView study →}.

A standardised ethanolic extract stabilised mast cells in mice with an IC₅₀ of 85 µg/mL and limited the rise in plasma histamine. The effect has been linked to the extract’s marker polyphenol, catechin ^{5Reference 5Venkatesh et al. · 2010In vitroAnti-allergic activity of standardized extract of Albizia lebbeck with reference to catechin as a phytomarker — mouse in vivo / in vitroView study →}. Methanolic leaf extract and methanolic and water bark extracts matched disodium cromoglycate for mast-cell stabilisation in vitro ^{4Reference 4Shashidhara et al. · 2008In vitroComparative evaluation of successive extracts of leaf and stem bark of Albizzia lebbeck for mast cell stabilization activity — in vitroView study →}.

In rats sensitised with toluene diisocyanate, bark extract cut sneezing and nasal rubbing. It lowered the activity of the genes for the histamine H1 receptor and for histidine decarboxylase, the enzyme that makes histamine, and it reduced histamine in the nasal lining ^{3Reference 3Nurul et al. · 2011In vitroAlbizia lebbeck suppresses histamine signaling by the inhibition of histamine H1 receptor and histidine decarboxylase gene transcriptions — animal model + in vitroView study →}.

Aller-7, a seven-herb formula that includes albizzia, stabilised mast cells and blocked histamine in laboratory tests ^{6Reference 6Amit et al. · 2003In vitroMast-cell stabilization, lipoxygenase inhibition, hyaluronidase inhibition, antihistaminic and antispasmodic activities of Aller-7, a novel botanical formulation for allergic rhinitis — in vitro (polyherbal)View study →}. Two Ayurvedic preparations based on the bark have been studied in people: shirishavaleha in bronchial asthma ^{7Reference 7Yadav et al. · 2012Clinical trialClinical efficacy of two different samples of Shirishavaleha in Tamaka Shwasa (bronchial asthma) — clinical trial (polyherbal)View study →} and shirisharishta in urticaria ^{8Reference 8Chaurasia M et al. · 2025A pharmacological study of Shirisharishta and its antihistaminic effects in guinea pigs with reference to urticaria — animal + clinical (polyherbal)View study →}. Shirishavaleha also reduced sulphur-dioxide-induced cough in mice ^{40Reference 40Yadav et al. · 2010AnimalEvaluation of anti-tussive activity of Shirishavaleha, an Ayurvedic herbal compound formulation, in sulphur-dioxide-induced cough in mice — animal model (polyherbal)}.

The one human study of the herb alone is an uncontrolled report of a stem-bark decoction in bronchial asthma ^{39Reference 39Kumar et al. · 2010Clinical trialClinical efficacy of Albizia lebbeck stem-bark decoction on bronchial asthma — uncontrolled clinical study}. It used the right species and preparation but had no control group.

An older Indian study found that albizzia altered the response of guinea-pig adrenal glands to histamine ^{41Reference 41Tripathi et al. · 1979AnimalEffect of histamine and Albizzia lebbeck Benth. on guinea-pig adrenal glands — animal model}.

Gap: No placebo-controlled trial of A. lebbeck alone. Every human dataset is either an Ayurvedic preparation or an uncontrolled report, so the isolated-herb clinical effect size is unknown.

Ethanolic and petroleum-ether bark extracts at 400 mg/kg reduced inflammation by roughly 35–70% in rats, across carrageenan, dextran, cotton-pellet and Freund’s-adjuvant models covering both acute and chronic inflammation ^{9Reference 9Babu et al. · 2009AnimalAnti-inflammatory activity of Albizia lebbeck Benth., an ethnomedicinal plant, in acute and chronic animal models of inflammation — animal modelView study →}.

Leaf extracts gave dose-dependent inhibition of carrageenan paw oedema and granuloma formation ^{11Reference 11Meshram et al. · 2016AnimalEvaluation of the anti-inflammatory activity of the aqueous and ethanolic extracts of the leaves of Albizzia lebbeck in rats — animal modelView study →}. The volatile oil was anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory in standard pain and oedema tests ^{12Reference 12Avoseh et al. · 2021AnimalAlbizia lebbeck and Albizia zygia volatile oils exhibit anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory properties in pain models — animal modelView study →}.

In a 2025 mouse study of nerve pain caused by cisplatin, leaf extract lowered inflammatory cytokines and protected the sciatic nerve. The authors linked the effect to NF-κB signalling and named thunbergol, lupenone and squalene as candidate actives ^{33Reference 33Irfan S et al. · 2025AnimalNeuroprotective role of Albizia lebbeck leaves against cisplatin-induced neuropathic pain via modulating NF-κB signalling — animal model / in silicoView study →}.

Gap: Entirely animal and mechanistic — no human anti-inflammatory data, and the active constituents differ between bark (saponins) and leaf (terpenoids), so a single “anti-inflammatory dose” cannot be defined.

A methanolic bark extract lowered serum glucose over 21 days in rats with streptozotocin–nicotinamide type 2 diabetes. It also lowered cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL, urea and creatinine and raised HDL ^{14Reference 14Patel et al. · 2015AnimalAntihyperglycemic activity of Albizzia lebbeck bark extract in streptozotocin–nicotinamide induced type II diabetes mellitus rats — animal modelView study →}.

Three flavonoids isolated from the bark inhibit α-glucosidase and α-amylase in vitro, and molecular docking supports the result ^{15Reference 15Ahmed et al. · 2014In vitroTarget-guided isolation, in-vitro antidiabetic, antioxidant activity and molecular docking studies of some flavonoids from Albizzia lebbeck Benth. bark — in vitro / in silicoView study →}. A methanolic seed extract inhibited α-amylase and raised glucose uptake in HepG2 liver cells ^{17Reference 17Azam S et al. · 2022In vitroAnti-diabetic and anti-lipidemic effect of Albizia lebbeck seeds against HepG2 cells — in vitroView study →}. Older work reported restored antioxidant defences in alloxan-diabetic rats ^{16Reference 16Resmi et al. · 2006AnimalAntioxidant activity of Albizzia lebbeck (Linn.) Benth. in alloxan diabetic rats — animal modelView study →}.

Gap: All of it is rodent or in vitro, from a single streptozotocin model plus enzyme assays. There are no human glycaemic data.

Most of the antioxidant evidence comes from the diabetes studies. In alloxan- and streptozotocin-diabetic rats, aqueous and methanolic bark extracts lowered lipid-peroxidation markers (TBARS, conjugated dienes) and restored superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and reduced glutathione in liver and kidney ^{16,14Reference 16Resmi et al. · 2006AnimalAntioxidant activity of Albizzia lebbeck (Linn.) Benth. in alloxan diabetic rats — animal modelView study →Reference 14Patel et al. · 2015AnimalAntihyperglycemic activity of Albizzia lebbeck bark extract in streptozotocin–nicotinamide induced type II diabetes mellitus rats — animal modelView study →}.

Isolated bark flavonoids and methanolic seed extracts scavenge free radicals directly in vitro, in line with their polyphenol and flavonoid content ^{15,17Reference 15Ahmed et al. · 2014In vitroTarget-guided isolation, in-vitro antidiabetic, antioxidant activity and molecular docking studies of some flavonoids from Albizzia lebbeck Benth. bark — in vitro / in silicoView study →Reference 17Azam S et al. · 2022In vitroAnti-diabetic and anti-lipidemic effect of Albizia lebbeck seeds against HepG2 cells — in vitroView study →}. The root extract raised tissue antioxidant enzymes during wound healing ^{18Reference 18Joshi et al. · 2013AnimalWound-healing potential of the root extract of Albizzia lebbeck — animal modelView study →}.

Both peripheral and central pain relief are documented in rodents. A mixed-solvent bark extract inhibited acetic-acid writhing by 40–52% and prolonged tail-flick latency, alongside anti-oedema activity ^{10Reference 10Saha et al. · 2009AnimalThe analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of the extract of Albizia lebbeck in animal model — animal modelView study →}.

Leaf extracts raised reaction times in hot-plate and tail-flick tests in rats. The effect was reduced by bicuculline (a GABA-A antagonist) and methysergide (a serotonin antagonist), which points to GABA and serotonin pathways ^{13Reference 13Meshram et al. · 2015AnimalCentral analgesic activity of the aqueous and ethanolic extracts of the leaves of Albizia lebbeck: role of the GABAergic and serotonergic pathways — animal modelView study →}. The volatile oil was anti-nociceptive in the formalin test ^{12Reference 12Avoseh et al. · 2021AnimalAlbizia lebbeck and Albizia zygia volatile oils exhibit anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory properties in pain models — animal modelView study →}.

Gap: Animal-only, using leaf and volatile-oil preparations rather than the bark the herb is dispensed as; no human analgesic data and no identified single active.

A saponin-containing n-butanol fraction of the leaves improved memory retention in passive-avoidance and elevated-plus-maze tests in normal and amnesic mice ^{19,20Reference 19Chintawar et al. · 2002AnimalNootropic activity of Albizzia lebbeck in mice — animal modelView study →Reference 20Une et al. · 2001AnimalNootropic and anxiolytic activity of saponins of Albizzia lebbeck leaves — animal modelView study →}. It increased time spent in the open arms of the maze, a sign of reduced anxiety, and changed brain levels of GABA, dopamine and serotonin ^{19,20Reference 19Chintawar et al. · 2002AnimalNootropic activity of Albizzia lebbeck in mice — animal modelView study →Reference 20Une et al. · 2001AnimalNootropic and anxiolytic activity of saponins of Albizzia lebbeck leaves — animal modelView study →}.

Leaf extracts also protected against maximal-electroshock and pentylenetetrazole seizures ^{21,22Reference 21Kasture et al. · 2000AnimalAnticonvulsive activity of Albizzia lebbeck, Hibiscus rosa sinensis and Butea monosperma in experimental animals — animal modelView study →Reference 22Kasture et al. · 1996AnimalAnticonvulsant activity of Albizzia lebbeck leaves — animal modelView study →}.

The calming “mimosa bark” reputation in popular sources belongs to a different species, Albizia julibrissin (he huan pi).

Gap: Entirely mouse, leaf-only, and centred on a saponin fraction that is not the bark preparation used clinically; no human cognitive or anxiety data.

Two oleanane-type saponins isolated from the roots, lebbeckosides A and B, were toxic to human glioblastoma cells (U-87 MG) and to glioblastoma stem-like cells, with IC₅₀ values of about 1.4–3.5 µM ^{23Reference 23Noté et al. · 2015In vitroTriterpenoid saponins from Albizia lebbeck (L.) Benth and their inhibitory effect on the survival of high-grade human brain tumor cells — in vitroView study →}. A saponin-rich fraction slowed the growth of MCF-7 breast-cancer cells, and in-silico work predicted pro-apoptotic activity ^{24Reference 24Desai et al. · 2019In vitroAnticancer activity of saponin isolated from Albizia lebbeck using various in vitro models — in vitro / in silicoView study →}.

An ethanolic pod extract, given by injection, reduced tumour burden in mice with Ehrlich ascites carcinoma and was toxic to HeLa and A549 cancer cells ^{25Reference 25Kavitha CN et al. · 2021In vitroAntitumor activity of Albizia lebbeck against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma — animal model + in vitro cell linesView study →}.

A protein from the seed, a hemolysin, inhibited the growth of MCF-7 and HepG2 cells in vitro ^{26Reference 26Lam et al. · 2011In vitroFirst report of an anti-tumor, anti-fungal, anti-yeast and anti-bacterial hemolysin from Albizia lebbeck seeds — in vitroView study →}.

Gap: Almost all in vitro or in silico with one crude mouse model; uses roots, pods and seeds — not the medicinal bark — and no whole-extract, in-vivo or human antitumour data.

Lipid-lowering shows up only as a secondary outcome. In the streptozotocin–nicotinamide diabetic-rat study, bark extract improved the serum lipid profile alongside its glucose-lowering effect ^{14Reference 14Patel et al. · 2015AnimalAntihyperglycemic activity of Albizzia lebbeck bark extract in streptozotocin–nicotinamide induced type II diabetes mellitus rats — animal modelView study →}, and methanolic seed extracts lowered cholesterol in HepG2 cells ^{17Reference 17Azam S et al. · 2022In vitroAnti-diabetic and anti-lipidemic effect of Albizia lebbeck seeds against HepG2 cells — in vitroView study →}. No study has tested lipid endpoints in a non-diabetic model.

An ethanolic bark extract was active against chloroquine-sensitive and chloroquine-resistant Plasmodium falciparum in vitro. In mice infected with P. berghei it showed suppressive, preventive and curative activity, and its median lethal dose was above 5 g/kg ^{27Reference 27Kalia et al. · 2015In vitroAntimalarial efficacy of Albizia lebbeck (Leguminosae) against Plasmodium falciparum in vitro & P. berghei in vivo — in vitro / animal modelView study →}. Phytochemical screening found alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, saponins and terpenes in the extract ^{27Reference 27Kalia et al. · 2015In vitroAntimalarial efficacy of Albizia lebbeck (Leguminosae) against Plasmodium falciparum in vitro & P. berghei in vivo — in vitro / animal modelView study →}.

Male fertility. Three rat studies from one research group found the same effect. A methanolic bark extract given for 60 days lowered sperm count and motility and serum testosterone, and fertility fell to zero ^{29Reference 29Gupta et al. · 2006AnimalAntispermatogenic, antiandrogenic activities of Albizia lebbeck (L.) Benth bark extract in male albino rats — animal modelView study →}. Saponins isolated from the bark did the same ^{30Reference 30Gupta et al. · 2005AnimalEffect of saponins of Albizia lebbeck (L.) Benth bark on the reproductive system of male albino rats — animal modelView study →}, and a methanolic pod extract caused the same arrest of sperm production ^{31Reference 31Gupta et al. · 2004AnimalAntifertility effects of methanolic pod extract of Albizzia lebbeck (L.) Benth in male rats — animal modelView study →}. Blood counts, blood sugar and blood lipids were unchanged in these studies. No human fertility data exist.

General safety. No adverse effects are reported at customary doses ^{36Reference 36Bone · 2003A Clinical Guide to Blending Liquid Herbs: Herbal Formulations for the Individual Patient}. No controlled safety study or drug-interaction study of A. lebbeck alone has been done.