White Quebracho

Aspidosperma quebracho-blanco, also known as White Quebracho, is a tree that occurs mainly in South America. The tree belongs to the family of the dogbane plants (Apocynaceae) and grows above all in Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Bolivia. Its extract, which is obtained from the bark, is traditionally used in South American folk medicine. Quebracho extract is valued above all for its bronchodilating, expectorant and aphrodisiac properties.

Traditional and Health-Related Uses

  • Treatment of respiratory diseases: In the traditional medicine of South America, the extract from quebracho bark is used to treat asthma, bronchitis and other respiratory diseases. Investigations were able to determine an effect in subjects who suffer from such problems (1,2).
  • Use in erectile dysfunction and as an aphrodisiac: Quebracho extract is also used as a natural remedy for erectile dysfunction. Some studies have already investigated this function. The extract is said to improve blood circulation and to promote blood flow to the erectile tissue of the penis, which could lead to a potentially better erection (3,4,5). For this reason, the extract is also regarded as an aphrodisiac.
  • Anti-inflammatory properties: Some investigations suggest that quebracho extract has anti-inflammatory effects. This could potentially make it useful in the treatment of inflammatory conditions, particularly in chronic respiratory diseases such as COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) (6,7).
  • Antioxidant effect: Like many plant extracts, Aspidosperma also contains antioxidant compounds that can help to reduce oxidative stress (7,8). Oxidative stress plays a role in aging and in the development of various diseases, among them cancer and cardiovascular diseases (9).

Constituents and Chemical Structure

The extract of the White Quebracho contains various alkaloids, among them the main alkaloid quebrachine, which is responsible for many of the biological activities of the extract. Further alkaloids contained in the plant are aspidospermine, quebrachamine and hypoquebrachine. These compounds are able to act on the central nervous system as well as on the respiratory system. Besides these rather specific alkaloids, the material that has been used in studies also contains, among other things, yohimbine (4), an alkaloid that likewise displays a whole range of different effects (more on this in the entry on Yohimbine).

Mechanism of Action

The bronchodilating effect of Aspidosperma extract is brought about by a widening of the smooth muscle in the airways. This makes breathing easier and relieves symptoms of conditions such as asthma. At the cellular level, the alkaloids act on receptors in the central nervous system, which can likewise lead to a relaxation of the musculature. The circulation-promoting and erection-supporting effects of the extract are based on an improvement of blood flow and a relaxation of the blood vessels, which can improve the blood supply to certain areas of the body, particularly to the genitals.

Safety and Side Effects

Quebracho extract is regarded as relatively safe when used correctly; however, there are some possible side effects, particularly at higher dosages. These include gastrointestinal complaints, headache, dizziness and, in rare cases, cardiac arrhythmias (5). In general, the extract should therefore only be used after consultation with a physician. In high doses, quebracho extract can have a toxic effect, since some alkaloids have a strong effect on the nervous system. For this reason, the intake of quebracho preparations should be closely monitored and the dosage precisely observed. In addition, comprehensive clinical studies that clearly confirm the long-term effect and safety in humans are lacking.

Conclusion

Aspidosperma quebracho-blanco extract is a traditional herbal remedy that is used in particular for respiratory diseases and erectile dysfunction. The bronchodilating effect of the extract makes it useful in the treatment of respiratory complaints such as asthma and bronchitis. In addition, the extract is used as an aphrodisiac in order to treat erectile dysfunction. Despite its potential health benefits, caution is advised, since high doses can cause side effects. Further clinical studies are necessary in order to confirm its efficacy and safety.

References

  1. Sukriti, & Reddy e, Siva & Sharma, ParveenKumar. (2020). Bronchial Asthma And Aspidosperma- A Study In 50 Patients. 3. 24-34.
  2. Rajvanshy, Dr & Patel, Jasmeet & Panwar, Aishwarya. (2022). ASPIDOSPERMA “The Digitalis of Lungs". GFNPSS- International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research. 3. 899-901. 10.46376/IJMR/3.1.2022.899-901.
  3. Campos, A. R., Lima, R. C., Jr, Uchoa, D. E., Silveira, E. R., Santos, F. A., & Rao, V. S. (2006). Pro-erectile effects of an alkaloidal rich fraction from Aspidosperma ulei root bark in mice. Journal of ethnopharmacology, 104(1-2), 240–244. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2005.09.009
  4. Sperling, H., Lorenz, A., Krege, S., Arndt, R., & Michel, M. C. (2002). An extract from the bark of Aspidosperma quebracho blanco binds to human penile alpha-adrenoceptors. The Journal of urology, 168(1), 160–163.
  5. Campos, Adriana & Lima, Roberto & Uchoa, Daniel & Silveira, Edilberto & Santos, Flavia. (2006). Pro-erectile effects of an alkaloidal rich fraction from Aspidosperma ulei root bark in mice. Journal of ethnopharmacology. 104. 240-4. 10.1016/j.jep.2005.09.009.
  6. Souza Lima MCJ, Oliveira Bitencourt MA, Furtado AA, Torres-Rêgo M, Siqueira EMDS, Oliveira RM, Oliveira Rocha HA, Ferreira Rocha KB, Silva-Júnior AAD, Zucolotto SM, Fernandes-Pedrosa MF. Aspidosperma pyrifolium Has Anti-Inflammatory Properties: An Experimental Study in Mice with Peritonitis Induced by Tityus serrulatus Venom or Carrageenan. Int J Mol Sci. 2017 Nov 11;18(11):2248. doi: 10.3390/ijms18112248. PMID: 29137120; PMCID: PMC5713218.
  7. Li, L., He, Y. L., Xu, N., Wang, X. F., Song, B., Tang, B. Q., & Lee, S. M. (2024). A natural small molecule aspidosperma-type alkaloid, hecubine, as a new TREM2 activator for alleviating lipopolysaccharide-induced neuroinflammation in vitro and in vivo. Redox biology, 70, 103057. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.redox.2024.103057
  8. de Araújo, D. P., Nogueira, P. C. N., Santos, A. D. C., Costa, R. O., de Lucena, J. D., Jataí Gadelha-Filho, C. V., Lima, F. A. V., Neves, K. R. T., Leal, L. K. A. M., Silveira, E. R., & Viana, G. S. B. (2018). Aspidosperma pyrifolium Mart: neuroprotective, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects in a Parkinson's disease model in rats. The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology, 70(6), 787–796. https://doi.org/10.1111/jphp.12866
  9. Pizzino G, Irrera N, Cucinotta M, Pallio G, Mannino F, Arcoraci V, Squadrito F, Altavilla D, Bitto A. Oxidative Stress: Harms and Benefits for Human Health. Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2017;2017:8416763. doi: 10.1155/2017/8416763. Epub 2017 Jul 27. PMID: 28819546; PMCID: PMC5551541.