IngredientesGriffonia simplicifolia (syn. Bandeiraea simplicifolia Benth.) is a woody climbing shrub native to West Africa and Central Africa. The legume plant Griffonia simplicifolia Baill. (family Caesalpiniaceae), also known by the alternate, now-considered-incorrect name Bandeiraea simplicifolia, is a perennial woody shrub which grows in the tropical rainforest of West and Central Africa, with sites of cultivation present in Ghana, Ivory Coast, and Togo. It is a plant species that belongs to the Leguminosae family.
The genus Griffonia was named by botanist Henri Baillon in honour of his friend and fellow physician Marie-Théophile Griffon du Bellay, explorer of Gabon, pioneer in the study of sleeping sickness and also of the African entheogen Iboga, source of the alkaloid ibogaine. Griffon de Bellay undertook an early study of the properties of G. simplicifolia.
It grows to about 3 m, and bears greenish flowers followed by black pods. The flowers are bisexual, grouped in gray clusters, with fleshy petals. The fruit is a pod, ovoid and swollen, containing one to four seeds. G. simplicifolia is less habitat-specific than the other three species of Griffonia, occurring in savanna, on coastal plains (particularly termite mounds), scrub thickets, in secondary and disturbed forest, including roadsides and primary forest margins. In the coastal plains it grows as a shrub to a height of about 2 metres, whilst in the forest zones it takes the form of a climber around tall trees.
Griffonia simplicifolia is a Caesalpiniaceae legume that grows from Liberia to the Democratic Republic of Congo. Principal harvesting and commercial collection occurs predominantly in G. simplicifolia seeds that are wild-harvested expressly for the export trade, mainly to China and India for extraction of 5-HTP.
Traditionally, Griffonia is consumed by crafting decoctions or infusions that result in tea-like beverages, and the seeds can be processed into pastes, extracts, or powders. In the modern supplement market, the seed extract is the predominant form. Griffonia seed extract powder is obtained through solvent extraction of seeds and is characterized by its high concentration of 5-HTP, typically standardized to 20–99% purity, forming a fine, beige-to-light-brown hygroscopic powder with a mild earthy odor. Most dietary supplements that contain 5-HTP are made from the seeds of Griffonia simplicifolia, which naturally contain high levels of 5-HTP; some products contain whole seed material while others contain isolated 5-HTP extract.
Commercial preparations include oral capsules and tablets, sublingual sprays, and liquid extracts. Dosage forms include solid dosage forms such as tablets, capsules, pellets, and granules, as well as solutions or suspensions in aqueous or non-aqueous liquids and oil-in-water emulsions. In one clinical trial, Griffonia simplicifolia extract was administered via oral spray.
Traditional African medicine has for centuries administered different parts of Griffonia simplicifolia with various therapeutic purposes, in the forms of chewing small sticks of stems and roots or applying leaves to wounds for healing. The use of plant juice for treating urinary tract diseases or of decocts obtained from leaves and stems as antiemetic drugs is also part of traditional holistic remedies, as well as the use of different parts as antibiotics and even as aphrodisiacs.
G. simplicifolia is traditionally used across West Africa, including medicinal uses, use of the leaves for insecticides and arachnicides, fodder (including the fruit/pods), and for dyes, stains, inks, tattoos, and mordants (the stems, roots, and fruits), as well as chewing-sticks.
Traditional uses of the plant include use of the stem and roots as chewing sticks, leaves for wound healing, and leaf juice as an enema and for the treatment of bladder and kidney ailments. A decoction of the stems and leaves provides relief from nausea.
Griffonia simplicifolia is an African legume whose leaves are commonly used for the treatment of bladder and kidney problems, relieving constipation, and as an aphrodisiac. The leaves are widely used in Togo for their nutritional value.
The seeds of this plant have been traditionally used for mood enhancement and spiritual purification across multiple African cultures, with traditional healers recognizing its ability to improve emotional well-being and mental clarity. In traditional West African medicine, Griffonia has been used for centuries to treat various ailments, and is particularly valued for its calming effect and its ability to increase well-being.
In the mid-20th century, Griffonia simplicifolia gained international attention, particularly in Europe, where it became known for its high 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) content. The seed chemical constituents, including lectins, 5-hydroxy-l-tryptophan (5-HTP), and fatty acids, have been studied intensively since 1960.
Among the most interesting chemical compounds present in Griffonia simplicifolia seeds, 5-hydroxy-L-tryptophan (5-HTP) has been reported as the most prominent. 5-HTP is the intermediate metabolite of the essential amino acid L-tryptophan, involved in the biosynthesis of serotonin (5-HT) and fatty acids. The seeds of the plant contain between six and 20 percent 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP). Other analyses have reported the range more narrowly: each seed is estimated to contain about 6 to 14% of 5-HTP.
5-HTP was the most representative compound in seed extracts, followed by lower percentages of the β-carboline alkaloid derivative griffonine and other alkaloids. Other alkaloids present include trigonelline, serotonin, 5-hydroxy-3-(2-hydroxyethyl)indole, 5-hydroxyindole-3-carboxaldehyde, hyrtiosulawesine, hyrtioerectine B, 3-carboxy-6-hydroxy-β-carboline, griffonine, and indole-3-acetyl aspartic acid. In 1976, Dwuma-Badu et al. isolated two compounds from griffonia roots, named griffonilide and griffonin; griffonilide was a novel chemical structure, while griffonin turned out to be identical to lithospermoside. Some alkaloids show potential in vitro activity against HepG2 cells.
Fatty acids in G. simplicifolia seeds are dominated by the unsaturated fatty acids linoleic acid and oleic acid, followed by the saturated fatty acids stearic and palmitic acids. Average fatty acid, α-tocopherol, and γ-tocopherol content of seeds were 269.54 ± 2.77 mg/g, 22.62 ± 1.54 µg/g, and 86.58 ± 4.01 µg/g, respectively.
HPLC-MS analyses of seed extracts identified forty-three compounds, including thirty-four phenolic compounds and nine N-containing molecules; isomyricitrin, taxifolin, and a flavonol glucuronide were the main polyphenols, whereas 5-HTP was the main N-containing compound. Protein content of seeds was 33.58 ± 1.52 BSAE/gram.
Phytochemical analysis of leaf extracts indicated the presence of glycosides, tannins, flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins, and coumarins. Average flavonoid content of griffonia leaves was 9182.02 ± 140.90 µg/g.
The seed chemical constituents also include lectins, which have been studied intensively since 1960, whereas leaves may contain lectin II — a legume lectin with GlcNAc binding specificity resulting in insecticidal activity. The lectins of G. simplicifolia, particularly Lectin I (GS-I), have found extensive application in biomedical research as tools in glycobiology, histochemistry, and flow cytometry, due to their specificity for galactose-containing carbohydrate structures.
The pharmacological mechanism of 5-HTP involves its ability to cross the blood-brain barrier and be converted to serotonin by the enzyme aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase. The administration of 5-HTP to animals increases 5-HT levels in the central nervous system (CNS); however, in humans 5-HTP stimulates 5-HT receptors in the CNS only after conversion to 5-HT.
5-HTP easily crosses the blood-brain barrier — it does not require the presence of a transport molecule and does not compete with other amino acids to enter the brain. It is well absorbed after oral administration, with approximately 70% of the dose introduced into the bloodstream.
This mechanism bypasses the rate-limiting step of tryptophan hydroxylase that normally controls serotonin production, potentially providing more rapid antidepressant effects than conventional selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. The direct precursor pathway allows for more immediate increases in serotonin availability, which may explain the faster onset of action reported in some studies of 5-HTP supplementation.
5-HTP is also a precursor to melatonin, a hormone critical for regulating circadian rhythms; 5-HTP increases melatonin synthesis, which can reduce sleep latency. Serotonin plays a crucial role in the sleep-wake cycle, and by converting serotonin into melatonin, 5-HTP supports a healthy sleep cycle.
Serotonergic pathways in the hypothalamus are involved in satiety signalling. 5-HTP works in the brain and central nervous system by increasing the production of the chemical serotonin, which can affect sleep, appetite, pain, and mood.
Hydroalcoholic G. simplicifolia extracts showed the highest radical scavenging and metal-reducing antioxidant power, suggesting that most of the contribution to antioxidant activity depends on the more polar bioactive compounds.
In humans, most research on 5-HTP involves small trials with mixed results. A few studies suggest 5-HTP may reduce anxiety or depression, but not treatment-resistant depression. Most research on 5-HTP involves small trials with mixed results; a few studies suggest 5-HTP may reduce anxiety or depression, but not treatment-resistant depression.
Other studies suggest antidepressant effects comparable with fluoxetine, and potential benefit as part of augmentation therapy for drug-resistant depression. Approximately 30 clinical trials in depression have been conducted since the 1970s using 5-HTP.
Small clinical studies have observed that 100–300 mg/day of 5-HTP may improve mood and reduce mild to moderate depressive symptoms. 5-HTP increases serotonin levels, supporting neurotransmission in mood-regulating brain areas. However, studies are limited by small sample sizes, short durations, and variability in dosing and extract quality.
Each seed is estimated to contain about 6 to 14% of 5-HTP. In some countries, after industrial extraction, researchers combine the contents of several seeds to provide 95–98% of 5-HTP in each capsule. The evidence base for depression, while providing suggestive signals, does not yet meet the evidentiary threshold for a definitive clinical recommendation; larger, well-designed randomised controlled trials are lacking.
The seeds of Griffonia simplicifolia Baill. are rich in 5-HTP, a direct precursor in the synthesis of serotonin. Despite the modern therapeutic application of Griffonia simplicifolia seed extract in mood disorders, little scientific evidence had been provided in humans until recently. One animal study investigated the effect of Griffonia simplicifolia seed extract on anxiety behaviour, where the extract, dosed at 1, 5, 10, and 25 mg/kg, was orally administered in rats which were then submitted to the dark-light test and open field test, 60 minutes after treatment.
In animal models, anxiolytic and antidyskinetic effects of 5-HTP have been demonstrated. Fewer studies exist in humans, but some research and anecdotal reports suggest 5-HTP may reduce anxiety symptoms, possibly by enhancing serotonergic activity in stress-related pathways. Overall, the human evidence for anxiety specifically from Griffonia extract is preliminary and largely extrapolated from broader 5-HTP studies; no large-scale RCTs have been performed using the plant extract as a whole.
Several small studies have indicated some improvement in subjective and objective sleep quality following administration of 5-HTP. For example, one study using a 200-mg dose demonstrated an increase in REM sleep. Despite the initial evidence suggesting it might be a useful treatment for insomnia, research studies have been small in number and have shared methodologic limitations, and additional work replicating these findings would allow for greater certainty.
For insomnia, a single 100-mg nighttime dose of 5-HTP was sufficient to improve the duration and depth of sleep in one placebo-controlled trial. In moderately insomniac patients, low doses of 5-HTP significantly improve the duration and depth of sleep. Initial dosage for treating insomnia is usually 100 mg to 300 mg before bed; case studies have indicated that higher dosages are associated with vivid nightmares during sleep.
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial has been performed in 20 overweight females, who were randomly assigned to supplement their diet with either an extract from Griffonia simplicifolia (10 subjects) or a placebo (10 matched subjects) for 4 weeks, in conjunction with a personalised reduced-calorie diet. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy, by the assessment of 24-h urinary 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid levels (5-HIAA), of 1-month administration of a dietary supplement containing 5-HTP from botanical extracts in healthy, overweight females.
The results of this study demonstrated that the treatment group showed a statistically significant (p<0.001) increase in 24-hour urinary 5-HIAA levels, as well as a decrease in the Haber score. In comparison, no significant changes were detected in the placebo group. Statistically significant differences between the treatment groups were also shown with regard to changes in body composition. The researchers concluded that the 5-HTP contained in the Griffonia extract, administered via oral spray, was well absorbed, measured by the increase in 24-hour urinary 5-HIAA, and that supplementation with 5-hydroxytryptophan in the diet of overweight women increased feelings of satiety linked to a decrease in BMI.
Studies in rats found decreased food intake and loss of weight with administration of G. simplicifolia extract. A small (N=20) clinical trial evaluated the effect of the extract on satiety among overweight women; decreased appetite and a decrease in mean body mass index were demonstrated at 4 weeks.
Earlier studies using isolated 5-HTP (not specifically as Griffonia extract) in obese populations found: Appetite reduction and weight loss (averaging 11 pounds in 12 weeks) occurred with amounts of 600 to 900 mg daily. In another clinical trial, 750 mg per day was shown to be effective at decreasing carbohydrate and fat intake and promoting weight loss.
The overall human evidence for appetite regulation and weight loss is limited by small trial sizes, and the most rigorous study specifically using Griffonia extract involved only 20 participants. The data are considered preliminary.
People with fibromyalgia often have low serotonin levels in their blood. In a controlled trial, 5-HTP at 300 mg per day was shown to be effective in reducing many symptoms of fibromyalgia, including pain, morning stiffness, sleep disturbances, and anxiety. The Medscape drug reference lists fibromyalgia syndrome as one condition for which 5-HTP is rated as "possibly effective." Evidence strength is moderate but rests on a limited number of trials; these trials examined isolated 5-HTP rather than whole Griffonia extract.
For migraine headaches, amounts ranging from 400–600 mg per day have been shown to be effective at reducing the frequency and severity of attacks in most clinical trials. For tension headaches, 100 mg of 5-HTP taken three times per day led to a significant decrease in consumption of pain-relievers, but no significant change in headache duration or intensity.
In migraine patients, taking 5-HTP for 6 months shows efficacy equivalent to a reference antimigraine drug (methysergide). 5-HTP also has efficacy comparable to a beta-blocker and significantly reduces the frequency of migraine attacks and the use of analgesics; a dose of 600 mg of 5-HTP per day in divided doses was used in this research.
The use of 5-HTP in the prevention of migraine headache offers considerable advantages over drug therapy. Although a number of drugs have been shown to be useful in the prevention of migraine headache, all currently used drugs carry a risk of significant adverse effects. 5-HTP is at least as effective as other pharmacological agents used in the prevention of migraine headaches and is safer and better tolerated. Although some studies have employed a dosage of 600 mg/day or more, 5-HTP can be effective at a dosage as low as 200 mg/day.
It must be noted that the migraine and tension headache trials were conducted using pharmaceutical-grade isolated 5-HTP, not whole Griffonia seed extract; the clinical relevance of the latter specifically awaits further dedicated research.
G. simplicifolia extracts showed dose-dependent antiproliferative activity against three distinct cancer cell lines (HeLa, HepG2, and MCF-7) in vitro, as well as antibiotic activity against Staphylococcus aureus. These findings are in-vitro only and have no established clinical translation.
5-HTP increases urine 5-HIAA excretion and serum chromogranin A (CgA) levels, and could lead to misinterpretation of laboratory tests such as the 5-HIAA urine test used to diagnose or monitor treatment for carcinoid tumors.
The following dosages are those reported in the cited sources and do not represent recommendations.
Some people may experience gastrointestinal issues like nausea, diarrhea, and stomach pain when taking 5-HTP supplements. Case studies have indicated that higher dosages are associated with vivid nightmares during sleep.
5-HTP can cause serious side effects, such as serotonin syndrome, when taken with certain medicines for depression. 5-HTP has been shown to restore serotonin levels or, at excessive levels, to induce serotonin syndrome. Too much serotonin in the body can lead to serotonin syndrome, a potentially life-threatening condition; symptoms of serotonin syndrome include rapid heartbeat, high blood pressure, fever, and seizures.
If antidepressants are being taken, 5-HTP should only be taken under the special supervision of the treating therapist. Since 5-HTP affects the serotonin balance, interactions with medication cannot be ruled out, particularly with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and other antidepressants. The effect of antidepressants is increased by 5-HTP; if they are taken at the same time, a serotonin syndrome is possible.
A case report described mania following use of an MAOI with 5-HTP in a patient without a history of bipolar disorder.
A case report of an interaction with 5-HTP causing serotonin syndrome was documented with linezolid (Zyvox), an antibiotic that also functions as a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI). Linezolid and 5-HTP both increase serotonin levels; linezolid may increase serotonin as a result of MAO-A inhibition, and co-administration should be avoided or an alternate drug used. If linezolid must be administered, the serotonergic drug should be discontinued immediately and CNS toxicity monitored; serotonergic therapy may be resumed 24 hours after the last linezolid dose or after 2 weeks of monitoring, whichever comes first.
Taking Griffonia simplicifolia along with dextromethorphan might cause too much serotonin in the brain and can result in serious side effects including heart problems, shivering, and anxiety, because Griffonia simplicifolia contains 5-HTP which increases serotonin.
A case of scleroderma-like illness has been reported with combination therapy of carbidopa and 5-HTP. Due to the high levels of 5-HTP, individuals taking medications for Parkinson's disease (e.g., carbidopa) may experience severe side effects when taking 5-HTP as a supplement.
5-HTP, a chemical found in Griffonia simplicifolia, can affect serotonin. Some drugs given during surgery can also affect serotonin. Taking Griffonia simplicifolia before surgery might cause too much serotonin in the brain; it is recommended to stop taking Griffonia simplicifolia at least 2 weeks before surgery.
5-HTP increases urine 5-HIAA excretion and serum chromogranin A (CgA) levels, and could lead to misinterpretation of the 5-HIAA urine test used to diagnose or monitor treatment for carcinoid tumors.
Taking 5-HTP while pregnant is possibly unsafe, and use during pregnancy is not recommended. Taking 5-HTP while breastfeeding is also possibly unsafe.
Because it is sold as an herbal supplement and not a medication, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved 5-HTP. Griffonia simplicifolia supplements have not been approved by the FDA for medical use and generally lack solid clinical research.
A known issue with G. simplicifolia extracts is potential adulteration with 5-HTP from genetically engineered bacterial fermentation, as has been frequently reported in the scientific literature. A 2019 study published in Molecules (PMC6472197) addressed this by developing combined chemical and molecular (DNA fingerprinting) methods for the unequivocal identification of authentic G. simplicifolia seeds in commercial products.
Condiciones de salud que Griffonia simplicifolia puede ayudar a apoyar.
Griffonia simplicifolia is the primary botanical source of 5-HTP and is used in traditional West African medicine. As the commercial source for 5-HTP supplementation, it shares the clinical evidence base for 5-HTP in anxiety and mood disorders. Seed extracts raising serotonin precursor availability have been clinically studied for anxiety and panic.
Griffonia simplicifolia seeds contain 5–10% 5-HTP by dry weight and are the primary commercial source of 5-HTP used in multiple double-blind RCTs demonstrating appetite reduction and weight loss. All key 5-HTP appetite clinical trials used Griffonia-derived 5-HTP. Examine.com rates the appetite evidence for 5-HTP as Grade A from 8 trials and 711 participants.
Griffonia simplicifolia seeds are the primary natural plant source of 5-HTP, which has been used in pediatric clinical studies for sleep terrors and NREM parasomnias. 5-HTP derived from Griffonia at 2 mg/kg/day significantly reduced sleep terror frequency in a controlled pediatric trial. Griffonia is the standard botanical source of 5-HTP in sleep supplements.
Griffonia simplicifolia seeds are the primary commercial source of 5-HTP, a direct serotonin precursor. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in 20 overweight women showed that Griffonia seed extract (delivering 5-HTP) significantly increased serotonin metabolite output and reduced appetite and binge eating severity over 4 weeks. The plant is specifically studied in the context of binge eating and emotional eating via the serotonin pathway.
Griffonia simplicifolia seeds are the primary natural dietary source of 5-HTP, used to support serotonin synthesis, mood, and cognitive function. Clinical studies using Griffonia-derived 5-HTP show improvements in mood, mental clarity, and reduction of fatigue.
Sistemas corporales que Griffonia simplicifolia puede ayudar a apoyar.
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