Quick Navigation

Massularia acuminata

Massularia Acuminata is a traditionally used herb in Yoruba medicine (Nigeria), used as a chewing stick and aphrodisiac; the chewing stick aspect was researched for being an anti-gingivitis agent, and it appears to increase testosterone and libido in research animals.

Our evidence-based analysis on massularia acuminata features 5 unique references to scientific papers.

Kamal Patel
Research analysis led by Kamal Patel .
Reviewed by
Examine.com Team
Last Updated:

Summary of Massularia acuminata

Primary Information, Benefits, Effects, and Important Facts

Massularia Acuminate is a chewing stick and herbal aphrodisiac from the Yoruba medicine in Nigeria.

It was investigated in the past for efficacy against gingivitis, but has recently been delved into for its aphrodisiac properties. Preliminary studies in rats suggest that this herb can increase testosterone and sexuality.

Not much data exists on it however.

Tired of misinformation? Get unbiased info on supplements.

At Examine.com, our incentives line up with yours — getting unbiased information. It’s why we don’t sell any advertising or supplements.

If you’re tired of wasting time and money on supplements that don’t work, our free Supplement Mini-Course will teach you about what works, what's a waste, and what to look out for when buying supplements.

Join the over 200,000 people who have gone through this course (saving themselves time, money, and stress).

Things To Know & Note

Is a Form Of

Primary Function:

Also Known As

Pako Ijebu, Orin Ijebu

Caution Notice

Examine.com Medical Disclaimer

  • Active constituents appear to be water soluble

How to Take Massularia acuminata

Recommended dosage, active amounts, other details

Based on rat studies, doses of 50mg/kg and 1,000mg/kg appear to increase testosterone while the higher dose is associated with some liver toxicity. Due to this, the estimated human doses based off of 50mg/kg would be:

  • 550mg for a 150lb person

  • 700mg for a 200lb person

  • 900mg for a 250lb person

Due to having no human evidence at this moment in time, the above recommendations are naught but estimates.

Research Breakdown on Massularia acuminata

Click on any below to expand the corresponding section. Click on to collapse it.

Click here to fully expand all sections or here to fully collapse them.

1Origin and components

Massularia Acuminata (MA) is an aphrodisiac herb from Yoruba medicine of Nigeria.

The plant appears to contain a mixture of alkaloids, anthraquinones, saponins, phenolics, flavonoids, and tannins.[1] The active ingredient is not known.

2Effects on sexuality and testosterone

In several replicated rat studies, Massularia Acuminata (MA) has been shown to increase parameters of sexuality in males.[1] It did increase testosterone, but did so at a level corresponding with sexual activity and lesser than the control (Viagra); these increases may be vicarious of increased sexual activity rather than from the compound itself.

Lower doses seem more effective than higher, with 50mg/kg bodyweight increasing sexuality and testosterone more than 100mg/kg and 200mg/kg.[1] Although this relationship appears to be reversed at dosages of 500mg/kg and 1000mg/kg bodyweight, in which sexuality and testosterone levels begin to become elevated again.[2][3] The 1000mg/kg group had a spike above the expected value, and was nearly double the control. These studies were conducted in otherwise healthy rats.

When 1000mg/kg in rats is converted into a human dosage based on Body Surface Area[4] it results in a 160mg/kg bodyweight dosage of Massularia Accuminata; the lower dose, 50mg/kg, correlates to 8mg/kg bodyweight and is more feasible.

A U-shaped curve exists in animals, with 50mg/kg and 1000mg/kg both being effective but does between them to a lesser degree; as toxicity is associated with doses of 250mg/kg or above in animals, the lower dose may be prudent at this point in time

3Safety and Toxicology

One rat study specifically investigating liver indices after water-soluble Massularia intake at 250mg/kg, 500mg/kg, and 1000mg/kg [5] noted decreases in activity of Alkaline Phosphatase (a liver enzyme) and increased serum levels of Alkaline Phosphatase at all doses starting on the first oral dose, with similar effects in the 250mg/kg and 500mg/kg group with slightly more suppression in the 1000mg/kg group. Similar increases in serum levels were seen with Aspartate aminotransferase and Alanine Aminotransferase although their activities in the liver increased (in contrast to Alkaline Phosphatase); increases in serum bilirubin were seen at all doses and not dose-dependent and increases in albumin were seen at 500mg/kg and 1000mg/kg.[5]

The effects on day 21, relative to day 1, were trending to worsen but not statistically significant.[5]

Evidence suggests that it may have hepatotoxic effects

References

  1. ^ a b c Yakubu MT, et al. Pro-sexual effects of aqueous extracts of Massularia acuminata root in male Wistar rats. Andrologia. (2011)
  2. ^ Yakubu MT, et al. Androgenic potentials of aqueous extract of Massularia acuminata (G. Don) Bullock ex Hoyl. stem in male Wistar rats. J Ethnopharmacol. (2008)
  3. ^ Yakubu MT, Akanji MA. Effect of Aqueous Extract of Massularia acuminata Stem on Sexual Behaviour of Male Wistar Rats. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. (2011)
  4. ^ Guidance for Industry: Estimating the Maximum Safe Starting Dose in Initial Clinical Trials for Therapeutics in Adult Healthy Volunteers.
  5. ^ a b c Effects of Aqueous Stem Extract of Massularia Acuminata on Some Liver Function Indices of Male Rats.

  • Support Examine.com & Stay Up to Date

    • Access to and updates on the latest nutrition & supplement research
    • Easy to use — search by supplement or health goal
    • Science-based
    • 100% independent and objective

    I want the latest info »

This page is regularly updated, to include the most recently available clinical trial evidence.

Each member of our research team is required to have no conflicts of interest, including with supplement manufacturers, food companies, and industry funders. The team includes nutrition researchers, registered dietitians, physicians, and pharmacists. We have a strict editorial process.

This page features 5 references. All factual claims are followed by specifically-applicable references. Click here to see the full set of research information and references for Massularia acuminata.

Examine.com is intended to be used for educational and information purposes only. Examine.com and its Editors do not advocate nutritional supplementation over proper medical advice or treatment and this sentiment will never be expressed through pages hosted under Examine.com. If using any pharmaceuticals or drugs given to you by a doctor or received with a prescription, you must consult with the doctor in question or an equally qualified Health Care Professional prior to using any nutritional supplementation. If undergoing medical therapies, then consult with your respective Therapist or Health Care Professional about possible interactions between your Treatment, any Pharmaceuticals or Drugs being given, and possible nutritional supplements or practices hosted on Examine.com.

Examine.com does not assume liability for any actions undertaken after visiting these pages, and does not assume liability if one misuses supplements. Examine.com and its Editors do not ensure that unforeseen side effects will not occur even at the proper dosages, and thereby does not assume liability for any side effects from supplements or practices hosted under the domain of Examine.com.

Supplements

NUTRITION

This website is certified by Health On the Net Foundation. Click to verify.

About

Never miss an update!

Your e-mail is safe with us. We don’t share personal data.