Griffonia simplicifolia

Last Updated: September 28 2022

Griffonia simplicifolia is an African shrub and a source of the compound 5-HTP. It has anxiety and appetite-reducing effects.

dosageDosage

Griffonia simplicifolia is most often used for

Summary

Griffonia simplicifolia is a West African shrub. Griffonia simplicifolia is the largest source of the compound 5-HTP. Its seeds contain up to 20% 5-HTP, by weight.

Studies that have been done on Griffonia simplicifolia suggest that when supplemented as an herb, it may rival the effects of supplementing 5-HTP in isolation.

However, further research is needed to confirm this effect. There may be other bioactives in the plant that are still undiscovered.

Additional studies are needed to determine whether supplementing Griffonia simplicifolia is truly comparable to supplementing 5-HTP.

What else is Griffonia simplicifolia known as?
Griffonia simplicifolia should not be confused with:
Dosage information

Further research is needed to determine the optimal human dose of Griffonia simplicifolia. The lowest effect dose for rats is 25mg/kg of bodyweight, which is about 4mg/kg of Griffonia simplicifolia extract, assuming 20% 5-HTP content. This translates to following human doses:

• 275mg Griffonia(55mg of 5-HTP) for a 150lb person

• 350mg Griffonia (70mg of 5-HTP) for a 200lb person

• 450mg Griffonia (90mg of 5-HTP) for a 250lb person

It is unknown whether Griffonia simplicifolia has other bioactives other than 5-HTP. The human dosages listed above are derived from rodent studies, and are not optimal, which is why they are different from the optimal dose of 5-HTP.

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References
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4.^Lescar J, Loris R, Mitchell E, Gautier C, Chazalet V, Cox V, Wyns L, Pérez S, Breton C, Imberty AIsolectins I-A and I-B of Griffonia (Bandeiraea) simplicifolia. Crystal structure of metal-free GS I-B(4) and molecular basis for metal binding and monosaccharide specificityJ Biol Chem.(2002 Feb 22)
7.^Zhu K, Huesing JE, Shade RE, Bressan RA, Hasegawa PM, Murdock LLAn insecticidal N-acetylglucosamine-specific lectin gene from Griffonia simplicifolia (Leguminosae)Plant Physiol.(1996 Jan)
8.^Zhu K, Bressan RA, Hasegawa PM, Murdock LLIdentification of N-acetylglucosamine binding residues in Griffonia simplicifolia lectin IIFEBS Lett.(1996 Jul 29)
9.^Zhu-Salzman K, Shade RE, Koiwa H, Salzman RA, Narasimhan M, Bressan RA, Hasegawa PM, Murdock LLCarbohydrate binding and resistance to proteolysis control insecticidal activity of Griffonia simplicifolia lectin IIProc Natl Acad Sci U S A.(1998 Dec 8)
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15.^Rondanelli M, Klersy C, Iadarola P, Monteferrario F, Opizzi ASatiety and amino-acid profile in overweight women after a new treatment using a natural plant extract sublingual spray formulationInt J Obes (Lond).(2009 Oct)
16.^Carnevale G, Di Viesti V, Zavatti M, Benelli A, Zanoli PGriffonia simplicifolia negatively affects sexual behavior in female ratsPhytomedicine.(2010 Oct)
17.^Carnevale G, Di Viesti V, Zavatti M, Benelli A, Zanoli PInfluence of Griffonia simplicifolia on male sexual behavior in rats: behavioral and neurochemical studyPhytomedicine.(2011 Aug 15)
18.^Uphouse LFemale gonadal hormones, serotonin, and sexual receptivityBrain Res Brain Res Rev.(2000 Sep)
20.^Uphouse L, Andrade M, Caldarola-Pastuszka M, Jackson A5-HT1A receptor antagonists and lordosis behaviorNeuropharmacology.(1996 Apr)