Tick Trefoil

In Ghana, Desmodium adscendens is a traditional treatment for asthma ^{2,3Reference 2Addy et al. · 1988In vitroEffect of Desmodium adscendens fractions on antigen- and arachidonic acid-induced contractions of guinea pig airways — in vitro studyView study →Reference 3McManus et al. · 1993In vitroAn activator of calcium-dependent potassium channels isolated from a medicinal herb — in vitro studyView study →}. The plant is taken by mouth, as a water extract of the leaves and aerial parts ^{4,5Reference 4Addy et al. · 1984AnimalEffects of the extracts of Desmodium adscendens on anaphylaxis — animal model (guinea pig)View study →Reference 5Addy et al. · 1986AnimalDose-response effects of Desmodium adscendens aqueous extract on histamine response and anaphylactic reactions in the guinea pig — animal modelView study →}.

It is also used in Ghana for psychosis ^{25Reference 25Amoateng et al. · 2017AnimalAn ethanolic extract of Desmodium adscendens exhibits antipsychotic-like activity in mice — animal modelView study →}.

D. adscendens has a long history of use in tropical America. It is valued above all for asthma and allergies, and for muscle spasms and back pain ^{35Reference 35FernGrona adscendens (synView study →}.

A leaf decoction is taken for bronchial asthma, constipation, dysentery and colic, and as an aid to digestion. The plant is usually harvested from the wild ^{35Reference 35FernGrona adscendens (synView study →}.

Desmodium gangeticum is Salaparni, a component of the Ayurvedic root formulas Laghupanchamoola and Dashamoola ^{33Reference 33Das et al. · 2026ReviewA brief review on chemoprofiling and pharmacological potential of Desmodium gangeticum — reviewView study →}.

It is used as a tonic, to reduce fever, as a digestive, for catarrh and nausea, and for inflammatory conditions of the chest ^{30Reference 30Rastogi et al. · 2011ReviewAn ethnomedicinal, phytochemical and pharmacological profile of Desmodium gangeticum and Desmodium adscendens — reviewView study →}. It is also used for neurological disorders ^{24Reference 24Joshi et al. · 2006AnimalAntiamnesic effects of Desmodium gangeticum in mice — animal modelView study →} and is an ingredient of Ayurvedic formulas for diabetes ^{27Reference 27Govindarajan et al. · 2007In vitroEffect of Desmodium gangeticum extract on blood glucose in rats and on insulin secretion in vitro — animal modelView study →}.

In Taiwan, D. gangeticum is used externally to remove blood stasis, improve circulation and reduce inflammation ^{28Reference 28Chen et al. · 2022In vitroCrude extract of Desmodium gangeticum shows anticancer activity by arresting the cell cycle in A549 human lung carcinoma cells — in vitro studyView study →}.

In guinea-pig airway tissue, fractions of an aqueous D. adscendens extract reduced allergen-induced contractions in a dose-dependent way. Some fractions also blocked leukotriene-dependent contractions, which suggests the plant acts at several points, including leukotriene production ^{2Reference 2Addy et al. · 1988In vitroEffect of Desmodium adscendens fractions on antigen- and arachidonic acid-induced contractions of guinea pig airways — in vitro studyView study →}.

A leaf fraction inhibited both early and late phases of allergen-induced contraction but had no effect on contractions triggered by arachidonic acid, which suggests it may reduce the release of arachidonic acid ^{1Reference 1Addy et al. · 1990In vitroEffect of Desmodium adscendens fraction 3 on contractions of respiratory smooth muscle — in vitro studyView study →}.

A 1993 study isolated three saponins from the plant that act on large-conductance calcium-activated potassium (maxi-K) channels, which help regulate airway muscle tone and the release of bronchoconstricting substances. The most potent, dehydrosoyasaponin I, increased the opening of these channels from airway muscle at concentrations as low as 10 nM, but only when applied to the inside of the membrane ^{3Reference 3McManus et al. · 1993In vitroAn activator of calcium-dependent potassium channels isolated from a medicinal herb — in vitro studyView study →}.

Taken by mouth, aqueous and ethanolic extracts reduced allergic contractions and the release of smooth-muscle-stimulating substances from guinea-pig lung ^{4Reference 4Addy et al. · 1984AnimalEffects of the extracts of Desmodium adscendens on anaphylaxis — animal model (guinea pig)View study →}. In drinking water, a hot-water extract lowered lung histamine content in a dose-dependent way ^{5Reference 5Addy et al. · 1986AnimalDose-response effects of Desmodium adscendens aqueous extract on histamine response and anaphylactic reactions in the guinea pig — animal modelView study →}.

Further work traced activity to the plant’s saponins, β-phenylethylamines and a tetrahydroisoquinoline, acting on ion channels and on arachidonic-acid metabolism ^{6Reference 6Addy · 1992In vitroSome secondary plant metabolites in Desmodium adscendens and their effects on arachidonic acid metabolism — in vitro studyView study →}.

Gap: every study used isolated tissue or animals. No controlled human trial has tested whether the plant relieves asthma.

D. adscendens leaves are rich in flavonoids and scavenge free radicals in DPPH, ABTS and cell-based tests ^{7Reference 7Muanda et al. · 2011In vitroChemical composition and cellular evaluation of the antioxidant activity of Desmodium adscendens leaves — in vitro studyView study →}. Activity-guided fractionation identified vitexin, isovitexin and their xylosides as the main compounds in the most active fraction ^{8Reference 8Zielińska-Pisklak et al. · 2015In vitroActivity-guided isolation and quantification of biologically active isomeric compounds from Desmodium adscendens — in vitro studyView study →}.

D. gangeticum extract scavenged DPPH, nitric oxide, hypochlorous acid and ferryl radicals and reduced lipid peroxidation in vitro ^{9Reference 9Govindarajan et al. · 2003In vitroStudies on the antioxidant activities of Desmodium gangeticum — in vitro studyView study →}. In arthritic rats, the extract (100 mg/kg) and its phenolic fraction (50 mg/kg), which yielded caffeic acid and chlorogenic acid, raised superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione and lowered lipid peroxides ^{10Reference 10Govindarajan et al. · 2006AnimalAntioxidant activity of Desmodium gangeticum and its phenolics in arthritic rats — animal modelView study →}.

Gap: in-vitro and rodent work only, with no human biomarker study.

In rats, a water decoction of D. gangeticum root and aerial parts (5–20 mg/kg) reduced carrageenan paw swelling and cotton-pellet granuloma in a dose-dependent way, and it reduced pain responses ^{11Reference 11Rathi et al. · 2004AnimalAnti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive activity of the water decoction Desmodium gangeticum — animal model (rat)View study →}.

A follow-up found the flavonoid fraction a stronger antioxidant than the alkaloid fraction in inflamed rats ^{12Reference 12Govindarajan et al. · 2007AnimalAntiinflammatory and antioxidant activities of Desmodium gangeticum fractions in carrageenan-induced inflamed rats — animal modelView study →}.

Two new compounds from the root and aerial parts, including the bisindole alkaloid gangenoid, were tested for effects on TNF-α and IL-6 production in stimulated macrophages ^{13Reference 13Yadav et al. · 2013In vitroNovel anti-inflammatory phytoconstituents from Desmodium gangeticum — in vitro studyView study →}.

Gap: no human anti-inflammatory study.

In rats with isoproterenol-induced heart attack, an aqueous D. gangeticum root extract given daily for 30 days prevented the rise in cardiac enzymes and lowered lipid peroxidation in heart tissue ^{14Reference 14Kurian et al. · 2005AnimalEffect of aqueous extract of the Desmodium gangeticum DC root in the severity of myocardial infarction — animal model (rat)View study →}.

In isolated rat hearts, ethyl acetate (100 mg/kg) and aqueous (50 mg/kg) root extracts improved recovery of heart function after ischaemia, reduced enzyme release and preserved mitochondrial and sarcoplasmic ATPase activity ^{15,16Reference 15Kurian et al. · 2010AnimalAntioxidant effects of ethyl acetate extract of Desmodium gangeticum root on myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury — animal model (isolated rat heart)View study →Reference 16Kurian et al. · 2010AnimalRole of mitochondrial enzymes and sarcoplasmic ATPase in cardioprotection by Desmodium gangeticum root on ischemic reperfusion injury — animal modelView study →}. A methanol root extract mimicked ischaemic post-conditioning through muscarinic receptors ^{17Reference 17Kurian et al. · 2012AnimalMethanol extract of Desmodium gangeticum root mimetic post-conditioning effect via muscarinic receptors — animal model (isolated rat heart)View study →}.

In H9c2 heart cells, a methanolic root extract reduced isoproterenol-induced enlargement by lowering reactive oxygen species and stabilising mitochondria ^{18Reference 18Sankar et al. · 2013In vitroDesmodium gangeticum exhibits antihypertrophic effect in isoproterenol-induced cardiomyoblasts — in vitro studyView study →}.

Gap: the work comes largely from one laboratory and rests mainly on the extract’s antioxidant capacity.

A water decoction of D. adscendens leaves and twigs, standardised on D-pinitol, protected rats against D-galactosamine liver damage, lowering AST and ALT. Pure D-pinitol reproduced part of the effect ^{19Reference 19Magielse et al. · 2013AnimalAntihepatotoxic activity of a quantified Desmodium adscendens decoction and D-pinitol against chemically-induced liver damage — animal model (rat)View study →}.

Against ethanol damage, the decoction did not significantly lower liver enzymes, although there was a trend toward lower mortality. Neither the decoction nor D-pinitol reversed liver damage once it had occurred ^{19Reference 19Magielse et al. · 2013AnimalAntihepatotoxic activity of a quantified Desmodium adscendens decoction and D-pinitol against chemically-induced liver damage — animal model (rat)View study →}.

In cell culture, low concentrations of a D. adscendens extract did not harm liver or kidney cells and protected kidney cells against oxidative stress ^{20Reference 20François et al. · 2015In vitroSafety of Desmodium adscendens extract on hepatocytes and renal cells; protective effect against oxidative stress — in vitro studyView study →}.

Gap: protective only, not curative, with results that depend on the model. No human liver data.

An ethanolic D. gangeticum extract (200 mg/kg by mouth) reduced ulcers in four rat stomach-ulcer models (cold-restraint stress, aspirin, alcohol and pyloric ligation) and in a guinea-pig duodenal-ulcer model. It cut acid secretion by 42%, close to omeprazole’s 43%, and raised mucin secretion by 56% ^{21Reference 21Dharmani et al. · 2005AnimalDesmodium gangeticum: a potent anti-ulcer agent — animal model (rat)View study →}.

Gap: one study in one species, not replicated.

In hamsters, an ethanolic D. gangeticum extract inhibited Leishmania donovani multiplication by 41%, and its n-butanol fraction by 67%. The fraction also made macrophages more resistant to infection ^{22Reference 22Singh et al. · 2005AnimalEfficacy of Desmodium gangeticum extract and its fractions against experimental visceral leishmaniasis — animal model (hamster)View study →}.

Compounds isolated from the whole plant, a new aminoglucosyl glycerolipid and a cerebroside, showed antileishmanial and immune-stimulating activity in infected macrophages ^{23Reference 23Mishra et al. · 2005In vitroGlycolipids and other constituents from Desmodium gangeticum with antileishmanial and immunomodulatory activities — in vitro studyView study →}.

Gap: two studies, with no clinical follow-up.

An aqueous D. gangeticum extract (50–200 mg/kg for seven days) improved learning and memory in mice, reversed amnesia caused by scopolamine and by ageing, and lowered brain acetylcholinesterase activity ^{24Reference 24Joshi et al. · 2006AnimalAntiamnesic effects of Desmodium gangeticum in mice — animal modelView study →}.

An ethanolic D. adscendens extract showed antipsychotic-like activity in mice, reducing apomorphine-induced climbing, and caused sedation ^{25Reference 25Amoateng et al. · 2017AnimalAn ethanolic extract of Desmodium adscendens exhibits antipsychotic-like activity in mice — animal modelView study →}. An earlier study found the leaf extract lowered body temperature, relieved pain and protected against chemically induced seizures ^{26Reference 26N’gouemo et al. · 1996AnimalEffects of an ethanolic extract of Desmodium adscendens on central nervous system in rodents — animal modelView study →}.

Gap: single rodent studies of three unrelated effects, none replicated.

In diabetic rats, an extract of D. gangeticum aerial parts (100 and 250 mg/kg for three weeks) lowered blood glucose and improved the lipid profile. It also increased insulin secretion from MIN6 pancreatic cells ^{27Reference 27Govindarajan et al. · 2007In vitroEffect of Desmodium gangeticum extract on blood glucose in rats and on insulin secretion in vitro — animal modelView study →}.

Gap: one study, with no replication.

A water extract of D. gangeticum stopped A549 human lung-cancer cells in the G1 phase of the cell cycle ^{28Reference 28Chen et al. · 2022In vitroCrude extract of Desmodium gangeticum shows anticancer activity by arresting the cell cycle in A549 human lung carcinoma cells — in vitro studyView study →}.

In a single-arm study, 12 patients with stage IV head-and-neck cancer took a product combining D. adscendens and the calcified seaweed Lithothamnium calcareum alongside chemotherapy. Pain and fatigue improved, but the authors could not tell whether the product or the chemotherapy was responsible ^{29Reference 29Imperatori et al. · 2018Clinical trialFeasibility single-arm study of a medical device containing Desmodium adscendens and Lithothamnium calcareum combined with chemotherapy in head and neck cancer patients — human studyView study →}.

Gap: one cell-line study and one small uncontrolled combination study.

Toxicity. Formal toxicity studies exist only for D. adscendens. In rats, the oral LD₅₀ of a leaf extract was about 1122 mg/kg. The authors judged the extract safe at the doses people take ^{31Reference 31Quaye et al. · 2017AnimalAcute and subchronic toxicity studies of aqueous extract of Desmodium adscendens — animal model (rat)View study →}. In mice, an ethanolic extract had an LD₅₀ above 3000 mg/kg and caused sedation, with motor side effects only at high doses ^{25Reference 25Amoateng et al. · 2017AnimalAn ethanolic extract of Desmodium adscendens exhibits antipsychotic-like activity in mice — animal modelView study →}.

Liver and kidney cells. In cell culture, a D. adscendens extract did not harm liver or kidney cells at 1–10 mg/mL but reduced cell viability by about 40% at 100 mg/mL ^{20Reference 20François et al. · 2015In vitroSafety of Desmodium adscendens extract on hepatocytes and renal cells; protective effect against oxidative stress — in vitro studyView study →}.

Interactions. Repeated dosing of D. adscendens leaf extract shortened zoxazolamine paralysis and prevented thiopentone-induced sleep in rats, a sign of induced CYP enzymes ^{31Reference 31Quaye et al. · 2017AnimalAcute and subchronic toxicity studies of aqueous extract of Desmodium adscendens — animal model (rat)View study →}. This could change how other medicines are cleared, though it has not been studied in people.

Identification. “Tick trefoil” covers about 280 species ^{34Reference 34Huang et al.Huang, P., & Ohashi, H. (n.d.). Desmodium Desvaux. In Wu, Z. Y., Raven, P. H., & Hong, D. Y. (eds.), Flora of China, Vol. 10 — flora. http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=109693View study →}, and the medicinal species differ in chemistry ^{30Reference 30Rastogi et al. · 2011ReviewAn ethnomedicinal, phytochemical and pharmacological profile of Desmodium gangeticum and Desmodium adscendens — reviewView study →}. Material of uncertain species is best avoided.