Ratti (Gunja) benefits and side effects

While there is no clinical data on the efficacy of ratti plant extracts against diabetes, it is traditionally used by some tribes in South Africa to manage the condition.

A few preclinical studies also indicate that various parts of this plant may aid in the management of blood sugar levels. 

One such study done in India found that A. precatorius leaf extracts have antihyperglycemic effects as they promote insulin secretion in the body. In another study, administration of ratti leaf extracts was shown to aid in recovering damaged beta cells in the pancreas (the cells that produce insulin) and increase the overall cross-sectional area of pancreatic beta-cells. Additionally, the extract was suggested to be effective in reducing the weight gain associated with diabetes mellitus.

In a study done on diabetic rabbits, the menthol-chloroform seed extracts of ratti plant were indicated to have antihyperglycemic effects similar to the drug chlorpropamide, which is used to manage type 2 diabetes. 

Read more: What to eat and what not to eat in diabetes

Malaria is an infection that spreads via the bite of a female anopheles mosquito. The malarial parasite enters the body of a person through the salivary glands of disease-carrying mosquitoes and causes symptoms like fever, headache, and chills.  

Now, ratti plant is traditionally used in Madagascar, an island nation in Africa, for the treatment of malaria. Both in vitro (lab studies) and in vivo (animal studies) indicate the anti-malarial activity of the leaf extract of ratti plant. As per the studies, the extracts are effective in killing the malarial parasite Plasmodium thus preventing the spread of the infection. The leaf extracts were also found to prevent weight gain and improve white blood cells and haemoglobin in mice.

Ethanol extracts of ratti leaf were found to be effective against Plasmodium in a study done in India. 

Read more: Home remedies for malaria

Lab tests show that the A. precatorius leaves, seed oil and root extracts are effective against bacteria including:

• Staphylococcus aureus (affects soft tissues and skin)
• Enterococcus faecalis (causes urinary tract infections)
• Pseudomonas aeruginosa (causes pneumonia and blood infections)
• E. coli (causes diarrhoea and dysentery)

In a study done in India, compounds like flavanols, alkaloids, glycosides and phenols were indicated to be responsible for the antimicrobial effects of A. precatorius. A recent study published in the Research Journal of Medicinal Plants found that ratti leaf extracts can inhibit the growth of multidrug-resistant bacteria including S. aureus, E. coli and P. aeruginosa that usually infect open wounds and hence can be used in the management of such wounds.

In Ayurveda, ratti plant is used for the treatment of migraine. Studies done on mice and frogs indicate that this plant affects serotonin levels and helps control migraine headaches. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter, a chemical that helps pass signals between brain cells. It controls pain, mood, and sleep. Serotonin also affects dilation and constriction of blood vessels. Changes in serotonin levels can trigger a migraine. 

According to a study done in India, at least five different compounds present in the ratti plant can help inhibit migraine headaches and can be studied further to be used for their antimigraine activity. 

More studies are still needed to better understand the effects or benefits of ratti plant in the management of migraines.

Read more: Home remedies for migraines

Arthritis is an umbrella term for a group of conditions marked by inflammation and pain in joints. The condition is mostly treated with medications and therapy. Now, a study done on mice has indicated that ratti extracts possess potent anti-inflammatory activity that may be effective in the management of arthritis. 

Similar results were obtained in another study done on albino rats using aqueous extracts of A. precatorius leaves. However, due to the absence of clinical studies, there is no confirmatory evidence to prove the anti-inflammatory effects of ratti plant in humans.

Read more: Exercises for arthritis

Traditionally, ratti seed powder mixed with sesame oil is used to treat alopecia and hair loss. An in vitro study done in India indicated that ratti seed extracts help inhibit the activity of 5-alpha reductase, which stops the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone, an androgen (male sex hormone) responsible for androgenic alopecia or male/female pattern baldness. 

In another study done on mice, ratti seed oil was found to be effective in promoting hair growth as well as reducing fungal infection of the scalp. 

However, clinical studies are still needed to confirm the evidence and hence it is best to talk to an experienced ayurvedic doctor before using ratti seed oil or any part of this plant for alopecia. 

Read more: Hair loss prevention and natural remedies

Several studies indicate the anticancer and antitumor potential of ratti plant extracts. Aqueous extracts of A precatorius seeds have been shown to reduce the growth of sarcoma (cancer in connective tissues) in mice when given intraperitoneally. Peritoneum is a thin membrane surrounding the abdomen. 

In a lab study done in Bangalore, India, leaf extract of ratti plant was indicated to be effective in promoting apoptosis (cell death) in breast cancer cells. The findings were confirmed by another study done on MCF-7 breast cancer cell line.  

Read more: Breast cancer treatment

According to a study published in the Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, A. precatorius can induce cell death in monocyte leukaemia cell line. 

Here are some other health benefits of ratti plant that don’t have any scientific evidence: 

• Ratti seeds are taken in some parts of Africa for the treatment of painful swelling and tuberculosis. 
• Ayurvedic doctors use this herb for the treatment of conditions such as conjunctivitis, urticaria and eczema. 
• One gram of ratti seed powder, when consumed along with rice starch, is believed to aid in reducing leucorrhea within 15 days. 
• Ratti leaves are also believed to be effective in treating cold and fever.
• Ratti seeds (about 100 g) when taken with butter or ghee are said to be effective against stomach ache. (Read more: Ghee or butter: which is healthier for you)
• A decoction prepared from dried ratti roots is traditionally used in some places to treat hepatitis and bronchitis.
• Ratti is said to be helpful in preventing rabies.
• About six grams of ratti seeds are said to provide relief from knee pain when taken with milk.
• Ratti plant is also used in some traditional medicines for the treatment of leucoderma or vitiligo and acne.