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Tulbaghia violacea

An African herb traditionally used for its anti-infectious effects, it may be heart healthy and has some preliminary testicular effects suggesting it might increase testosterone levels; not enough evidence currently though.

Our evidence-based analysis on tulbaghia violacea features 12 unique references to scientific papers.

Kamal Patel
Research analysis led by Kamal Patel.
All content reviewed by the Examine.com Team. Published: Sep 6, 2013
Last Updated:

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Things To Know & Note

Is a Form Of

Other Functions:

Primary Function:

Also Known As

Wild Garlic, Sweet Garlic, Society Garlic, Wildeknoffel, Isihaqa

Do Not Confuse With

Allium sativum (actual Garlic)

Caution Notice

Examine.com Medical Disclaimer

Scientific Research on Tulbaghia violacea

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1Sources and Composition

1.1Source and History

Tulbaghia violacea is an African herb used historically to treat some infectious diseases, which is due to an anti-microbial potential of the herb.[1] The herb appears to be synergistic with itself in this regard, suggesting that multiple components within the herb itself work together.[1]

It belongs to the Alliaceae family of herbs, similar to Garlic. It is sometimes referred to as Sweet Garlic (as its consumption is not associated with bad breath), Wild Garlic, or Society Garlic and possesses a strong garlic odour, although the roots are sometimes referred to as skunky.[2][3][4] It is also referred to as 'Isihaqa' by the Zulus, who use this plant as an aphrodisiac, and as 'Wildeknoffel' by the Afrikaans.[5] It may share nutrient motifs with the garlic family.[2] It is referred to as a modest, unassuming plant with small flowers and grassy foliage.[2] 

1.2Composition

As a herbal supplement, Tulbaghia violacea may contain a wide variety of compounds. Some of these compounds include:

  • 3 Cysteine derivates known as Marasmin, Ethiin and Methiin[6][3][7]

  • Kaempferol

  • From the leaves, 2,4,5,7-tetrathiaoctane-2,2-dioxide, 2,4,5,7-tetrathiaoctane, and 2,4,5,7-tetrathiaoctane-4-oxide[2][8]

  • Steroidal saponins

  • Methyl-alpha-D-glucopyranoside[2] 

Compounds that are inherent to the Allium (Garlic) family, and show motifs with Tulbaghia (in regards to traditional usages and preparation) include (note, it is plausible but not assured Tulbaghia contains these molecules):

  • Cysteine Sulfoxide derivatives (Alliin, Isoalliin, and Methiin) found in both onions and garlic[2] These compounds have been reported in T.Acutiloba.[9]

Of the Tulbaghia family of herbs, violacea appears to have the highest known concentration of sulfur-containing compounds (although not all species have been analyzed).[2]

2Interactions with Cardiovascular Health

2.1Blood Pressure

Tulbaghia Violacea appears to have ACE inhibiting properties, reaching 68% ACE inhibition with the water extract and 71% with the ethanolic extract in vitro.[10][11] When rats were subject to 0.1mg/kg Angiotensin I injections (increasing the control groups blood pressure by 14.5%) co-injection of 50mg/kg bodyweight Tulbaghia Violacea was able to attenuate the increase to 2.2%, showing bioactivity.[10]

Tulbaghia Violacea has been shown in a model of spontaneously hypertensive rats to reduce both systolic and diastolic blood pressure, as well as heart rate, by acting as a ACE inhibitor.[4] It may also have interactions with B(1)adrenoreceptors.[4]

3Interactions with Carbohydrate Metabolism

Tulbaghia Violacea has been implicated in exerting anti-diabetic effects in vitro, by increasing glucose uptake by 140.5% in muscle cells at a concentration of 0.5ug/mL with the ethanolic extract.[12] The water extract increased glucose uptake by 119% at this concentration, and uptake was increased by approximately 117% by both extracts at a concentration of 50ug/mL, although insulin incubation at 0.5ug/ml seemed to reduce glucose uptake induced by T.Violacea.[12]

4Interactions with Testosterone

One in vitro study conducted on testicular cells noted that the extract of Tulbaghia violacea was able to increase testosterone release from testicles in response to stimulation from Luteinizing Hormone.[5] The cells were incubated at varying concentrations ranging from 156.25-5000ug/ml at doubling intervals and, although only showing statistical significant at a concentration of 312.5ug/ml and above, did not show any dose-dependent effects but rather constant elevation of testosterone secretion.[5] The increases in testosterone were quantified to be 30-72% greater than control cells, and was dependent on the presence of lutenizing hormone. No direct testicular increases in estradiol were noted.[5]

5Safety and Toxicity

Historically, it has been noted that prolonged and excessive use of Tulbaghia Violacea bulbs causes gastrointestinal distress and may be associated with acute inflammation and sloughing of intestinal tissue as well as cessation of peristalsis.[2] Contraction of the pupils and delayed response to stimuli have been mentioned additionally.[2]

References

  1. ^ a b Ncube B, Finnie JF, Van Staden J. In vitro antimicrobial synergism within plant extract combinations from three South African medicinal bulbs. J Ethnopharmacol. (2012)
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i Ethnopharmacological and Phytochemical Review of Allium Species(Sweet Garlic) and Tulbaghia Specoes (Wild Garlic) from Southern Africa.
  3. ^ a b The amino acid precursors and odor formation in society garlic (Tulbaghia violacea Harv.).
  4. ^ a b c Raji IA, Mugabo P, Obikeze K. Effect of Tulbaghia violacea on the blood pressure and heart rate in male spontaneously hypertensive Wistar rats. J Ethnopharmacol. (2012)
  5. ^ a b c d Ebrahim M, Pool EJ. The effect of Tulbaghia violacea extracts on testosterone secretion by testicular cell cultures. J Ethnopharmacol. (2010)
  6. ^ An alkyl-cysteine sulfoxide lyase in Tulbaghia violacea and its relation to other alliinase-like enzymes.
  7. ^ Burton SG, Kaye PT. Isolation and Characterisation of Sulphur Compounds from Tulbaghia violacea. Planta Med. (1992)
  8. ^ Kubec R, Velísek J, Musah RA. The amino acid precursors and odor formation in society garlic (Tulbaghia violacea Harv.). Phytochemistry. (2002)
  9. ^ Cysteine Sulfoxides and Alliinase Activity of Some Allium Species.
  10. ^ a b Ramesar S, et al. Angiotensin I-converting enzyme inhibitor activity of nutritive plants in KwaZulu-Natal. J Med Food. (2008)
  11. ^ Duncan AC, Jäger AK, van Staden J. Screening of Zulu medicinal plants for angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. J Ethnopharmacol. (1999)
  12. ^ a b van Huyssteen M, et al. Antidiabetic and cytotoxicity screening of five medicinal plants used by traditional African health practitioners in the Nelson Mandela Metropole, South Africa. Afr J Tradit Complement Altern Med. (2011)

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 12 references. All factual claims are followed by specifically-applicable references. Click here to see the full set of references for this page.

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