Endod, Pokeberry

Phytolacca dodecandra

Physical Characteristics

Phytolacca dodecandra is an evergreen Shrub growing to 4 m (13ft) by 2 m (6ft) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. The flowers are pollinated by Insects. The plant is not self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very acid soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

Distribution

Tropical Africa - Guinea to Eritrea, south to Mozambique.

Habitats

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit Leaves Stem Edible Uses: Young leaves and stems - cooked[46 ]. There is considerable difference in opinion about the edibility of the leaves, with them being eaten in soups and as a vegetable in some parts of Africa, whilst in other areas they are considered poisonous and are said to have caused the death of people eating them[299 ]. The fruits are eaten in parts of Africa[299 ]. The fleshy fruit, which is up to 15 mm in diameter, consists of 4 - 5 one-seeded berries[299 ]. The leaf or fruit extract is sometimes added to drinks and foods as a stimulant, and is used to curdle milk[299 ].

Medicinal Uses

Abortifacient Anthelmintic Antiasthmatic Antibacterial Antidiarrhoeal Antifungal Antiinflammatory Antirheumatic Antitumor Antiviral Diaphoretic Diuretic Eczema Emetic Epilepsy Laxative Leprosy Malaria Ophthalmic Parasiticide Purgative Rubefacient Skin Stimulant Tonic Various parts of the plant are widely used in traditional medicine in Africa to treat a wide range of ailments, despite the toxicity of the plant[299 ]. A number of studies into the plant have been carried out and the presence of a range of medically active compounds have been shown. The leaves, fruits and roots contain numerous saponins (triterpenoid glycosides). These compounds cause haemolysis of red blood cells. On a dry weight basis, the fruit pulp contains 25% saponins; lipids (palmitic acid, oleic acid, stearic acid and a non saponifiable bright orange, waxy material); sugars; starches; pectins and gums; and a water insoluble fraction[299 ]. The roots contain saponins of the phytolaccoside or esculentoside types. These compounds have shown anti-inflammatory activity[299 ]. The aqueous extract from the roots has shown fungicidal activity against Trichophyton mentagrophytes[299 ]. Hydroalcoholic extracts of the aerial parts of the plant showed significant activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Histoplasma capsulatum var. Farciminosum, which causes epizootic lymphangitis[299 ]. The leaf extract showed moderate activity against coxsackie virus in vitro[299 ]. Butanol extracts of the fruits inhibit the growth of Trichomonas vaginalis, but fermented fruits were inactive[299 ]. These extracts also showed spermatocidal properties in vitro and blastocidal activity when injected directly into the uterus of rabbits. Oral administration of a water extract of the aerial parts did not show a significant effect on reproduction in mice[299 ]. The leaves and stems produce the antiviral protein dodecandrin, which is a ribosome-inactivating protein (RIP), similar to pokeweed antiviral protein (PAP), isolated from Phytolacca americana[299 ]. An extract of the roots, leaves, fruits and seeds is abortifacient, anthelmintic, diuretic, emetic, laxative, purgative and sudorific[299 ]. It is used to treat oedema and intestinal problems such as diarrhoea and abdominal pain[299 ]. The leaves and the leaf-sap are cicatrizing, haemostatic, laxative and rubefacient[299 ]. A decoction is given to newborn babies as a gentle laxative[299 ]. The mashed leaves are eaten with banana as a stimulant and tonic, especially after childbirth[299 ]. The boiled leaves, with chicken, are given to children with asthma and tuberculosis[299 ]. The sap, or the fresh, dried or powdered leaves, are applied to wounds and skin ailments such as ringworm, scabies, eczema, psoriasis, leprosy, boils and vitiligo[299 ]. The leaf sap is used as eye drops to cure conjunctivitis and river blindness, and as ear drops to treat otitis[299 ]. The ground leaves are applied to tumours[299 ]. An infusion of the fruit or the root decoction is widely taken to induce abortion, to treat venereal diseases, bilharzia, rabies, malaria, sore throat and other respiratory problems, rheumatic pain and jaundice[299 ]. The crushed roots and fruits are sometimes applied to wounds and skin ailments such as ringworm, scabies, eczema, psoriasis, leprosy, boils and vitiligo[299 ]. The root decoction is drunk to cause vomiting as part of the treatment of enlarged glands[299 ]. The macerated leaves or root bark are used to treat epilepsy[299 ]. An infusion of the root is taken to treat infertility[299 ].

Known Hazards

Very poisonous[328 ]. Eating the fruits or leaves may cause acute poisoning, resulting in nausea, bloody diarrhoea, intense congestion of the stomach and intestines, vomiting, weakness, weak and irregular pulse, dilated pupils, swelling of the mucous membrane in the mouth and stupor; death may occur within a few days[299 ]. Although the solutions of crushed fruits kill a range of aquatic life forms, including small fish, leeches, mosquito larvae, other stages of the bilharzia life-cycle (miracidia and cercariae), zebra mussels and tadpoles, the active ingredients are easily biodegradable and are eliminated from the water within 48 hours. Insect larvae and tadpoles are not affected at the concentrations that kill fish and snails[299 ].