ruta chalepensis

Ruta chalepensis is a perennial herb in the Rutaceae family widely used in traditional medicine across the Mediterranean, North Africa, and Western Asia. The aerial parts and essential oil are employed for various ailments including rheumatism, fever, mental disorders (such as anxiety and epilepsy), menstrual problems (as an emmenagogue and abortifacient), digestive issues (colic, indigestion), respiratory conditions (coughs, asthma), pain relief (headache, joint pain), skin inflammation, convulsions/epilepsy management and as an anti-fertility agent. Pharmacological studies indicate that extracts of Ruta chalepensis possess antispasmodic[6], analgesic[10], anti-inflammatory[4][10], antioxidant[4][7], antimicrobial[6], CNS depressant/anticonvulsant properties[3][5][10]—the latter not mediated by GABA~A~ receptors but likely due to other medium polarity constituents. It also shows potential antihyperlipidemic effects via HMG-CoA reductase inhibition in animal models[7]. However, it contains furocoumarins and quinoline alkaloids which can cause phototoxicity or mutagenicity; high doses may be neurotoxic or hepatotoxic. Use during pregnancy is contraindicated due to abortifacient effects.

Other names

Ruta chalepensisFringed rueAruvadaRueSadab