African Mango

Generic name: Irvingia Gabonensis (Aubry-Lecomte Ex Ororke) Baillon
Brand names: African Mango, African Wild Mango, Bush Mango, Dika, Dikabread Tree, Dikanut, Iba-tree, Irvingia, Odika, Ogbono, Sweet Bush Mango

Usage of African Mango

Research on African mango revealed beneficial effects on diabetes and obesity as well as antimicrobial, antioxidant, and GI activity.

Analgesic

In a mouse study, the analgesic activity of a water extract from African mango stem bark was comparable with the narcotic analgesic morphine, while the ethanol extract was comparable with the nonnarcotic analgesic methimazole sodium.Okolo 1995

Antioxidant

One study documents antioxidant activity in African mango seeds.Agbor 2005

Antimicrobial

African mango leaf and root extracts have documented inhibitory activity against several bacteria and fungi.Fadare 2008, Kuete 2007 Potential mechanisms of action include membrane disruption by terpenoids and inactivation of microbial adhesion, enzymes, and cell envelope transport proteins by ellagic acid-like compounds.Kuete 2007

Diabetes

Animal data

Dikanut fiber and cellulose were fed to diabetic rats over 4 weeks. The dikanut fiber supplement was more effective than cellulose at altering digestive and membrane-bound enzymes of the intestine and hepatic glycolytic enzymes, leading to reduced absorption of glucose.Omoruyi 1993 A similar study in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats fed dikanut fiber resulted in reduced glucose, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels in plasma.Omoruyi 1994 Dikanut fiber supplementation also affected liver phospholipid distributions that may alter transport of lipids in the liver.

Oral administration of an African mango methanol extract at a dose of 150 and 250 mg/kg significantly (P < 0.001) lowered plasma glucose levels in diabetic rats within 2 hours after treatment. The mechanism of action may involve extract stimulation of pancreatic beta-cell function or hypoglycemic activity via an extra-pancreatic mechanism.Ngondi 2006 Postprandial and fasting glucose levels were reduced in normoglycemic rats administered African mango seed fractions prior to an oral glucose test.Ngondi 2006

Clinical data

Although the study is limited, dikanut supplementation in diabetic patients over 4 weeks lowered blood glucose levels and normalized erythrocyte membrane ATPase activity. The ratio among the enzymes studied in diabetic patients was comparable to that of nondiabetic patients.Adamson 1986 A very similar study documents reduced plasma lipids in diabetic patients due to decreased low-density lipoprotein (LDL) plus very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL)-cholesterol and triglycerides levels. ATPase activity normalized and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol was increased.Adamson 1990

Gastrointestinal

A methanol extract of African mango exhibited dose-dependent inhibition of indomethacin-induced gastric ulceration in mice.Raji 2001 The antiulcer activity of several doses of the extract was comparable to that of cimetidine (50 mg/kg), and the extract also reduced gastric acid secretion and increased mucous secretion. Another animal study in mice administered African mango aqueous leaf extract reported decreased GI motility and GI protection against castor oil-induced diarrhea.Abdulrahman 2004

Metabolic syndrome and obesity

Several potential mechanisms against obesity with African mango supplementation include:

  • Inhibitory effect on the enzyme glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase involved in converting glucose to stored fat;
  • Beneficial effect on the enzyme peroxisome-proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-gamma involved in adipogenesis and insulin sensitivity;
  • Upregulation of the protein hormone adiponectin which enhances insulin sensitivity and endothelial function; and
  • Decreased leptin expression or enhanced leptin sensitivity (inhibits food intake and stimulates thermogenesis).

    • Animal and in vitro data

    Rats were fed a normal diet and 1 mL of African mango oil or water over 4 weeks. Abdominal fat was lower, plasma HDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels were higher, and LDL:HDL and total cholesterol:HDL ratios were lower in rats administered the oil. Blood glucose levels were also lower in rats administered the oil.Ngondi 2005

    In a murine adipocyte model for adipose cell biology research, an African mango seed extract inhibited adipogenesis in adipocytes.Oben 2008 The mechanism appears to be associated with (1) downregulated expression of adipogenic transcription factors or PPAR-gamma and adipocyte-specific proteins, such as leptin, and (2) upregulated expression of adiponectin. Adiponectin has antiatherogenic, anti-inflammatory, and antidiabetic activity.

    Clinical data

    Administration of I. gabonensis 300 mg/day for 90 days in patients with metabolic syndrome resulted in statistically significant improvements in waist circumference (P<0.01), glucose, triglycerides, and VLDL (P<0.05 for each) compared to baseline in a small double-blind, randomized, controlled trial (N=24). In contrast, no improvements were observed in the placebo group and neither group experienced significant changes in insulin area under the curve.(Mendez-del Villar 2018)

    A 10-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 102 overweight patients evaluated the effects of African mango seed extract on body weight and associated metabolic parameters.Ngondi 2009 Patients received either 150 mg of African mango seed extract or placebo 30 minutes before lunch and dinner. Patients receiving the extract improved both weight reduction (body weight, body fat, waist circumference) and metabolic parameters (plasma total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, blood glucose, C-reactive protein, adiponectin, and leptin levels).

    A 1-month, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study examined the effects of African mango seed extract in 40 obese patients.Ngondi 2005 Patients were administered 3 capsules containing 350 mg of African mango seed extract (active formulation) or oat bran (placebo) 3 times daily 30 minutes before meals with a glass of warm water. Patients were on a normocaloric diet and were evaluated every week, as well as instructed to keep a record of food consumed. At the end of the study, patients treated with the seed extract had reduced body weight, waist and hip circumference, and metabolic parameters (eg, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides), and increased HDL cholesterol. Patients treated with the extract also reported reduced systolic blood pressure. Another 10-week clinical study treating patients with a formulation of 2 plant materials, African mango and Cissus quadrangularis, resulted in reductions in body weight and improved metabolic parameters.Oben 2008

    African Mango side effects

    Avoid use with a known allergy or hypersensitivity to any of the components of African mango. Clinical studies enrolled a small number of patients, and mild side effects were documented. Adverse reactions included headache, dry mouth, flatulence, sleep disturbance, and flu-like symptoms.Ngondi 2009, Ngondi 2005, Oben 2008

    Before taking African Mango

    Information regarding safety and efficacy in pregnancy and lactation is lacking.

    How to use African Mango

    Clinical studies used dosage regimens of 150 mg of African mango seed extract 30 minutes before lunch and dinner or 1,050 mg 3 times daily 30 minutes before meals with a glass of warm water. Powders, liquids, and capsules are available from commercial manufacturers, with most common dosage regimens consisting of 150 mg of African mango twice a day with food.

    Warnings

    Acute toxicity studies document no deaths within 24 hours or 7 days after administration of 1,600 mg/kg of African mango methanol extract in rats.Raji 2001 One report detected fungi and aflatoxins in bush mango seeds sold in eastern Nigeria, which are unacceptable for human consumption.Adebayo-Tayo 2006

    What other drugs will affect African Mango

    Limited information is available on drug interactions.

    Hypoglycemia-associated agents: Herbal products with glucose lowering effects may enhance the hypoglycemic effect of hypoglycemia-associated agents.(Hui 2009)

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