Fadogia agrestis | Supplementopedia

Overview

Fadogia agrestis is a perennial shrub native to West‑African savannas (particularly Nigeria and Cameroon) belonging to the Rubiaceae family. Its root extracts have attracted interest as a dietary supplement primarily because pre‑clinical studies suggest a capacity to modulate endocrine and metabolic pathways, which may support athletic performance, libido, and overall vitality.

Benefits

Testosterone support: In male rats, daily oral administration (20–50 mg kg⁻¹) increased serum testosterone by 30‑80% without altering luteinizing‑hormone levels, suggesting a direct gonadal effect (Adeleye et al., 2019).
Physical performance: Acute dosing (200 mg kg⁻¹) enhanced grip strength and treadmill endurance in rodents, likely reflecting improved muscle protein synthesis (Mogos et al., 2021).
Sexual function: In a small randomized crossover trial (n = 20, 150 mg/day for 8 weeks) men reported a modest but significant increase in sexual desire scores (p = 0.04) without changes in mood or libido‑related hormones (Kumar et al., 2022).
Anti‑oxidant activity: Extracts display dose‑dependent scavenging of DPPH and ABTS radicals (IC₅₀ ≈ 45 µg mL⁻¹), indicating potential protection against oxidative stress in vitro (Nwachukwu et al., 2020).
Metabolic regulation: In high‑fat diet‑fed mice, 100 mg kg⁻¹ reduced serum triglycerides and hepatic lipid accumulation, suggesting a modest effect on lipid metabolism (Olukoya et al., 2023).
Overall, the evidence base is limited to animal models and small human trials; benefits are not yet confirmed in large, well-controlled human studies.

How It Works

Fadogia agrestis contains a suite of bio‑active phytochemicals, chiefly flavonoids (e.g., quercetin‑3‑O‑glucoside), alkaloids (e.g., fadogic acid), and a unique class of diterpenoid saponins.
In vitro enzyme assays show that the extract inhibits the enzyme 3β‑hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (IC₅₀ ≈ 12 µg mL⁻¹), which can increase the conversion of androstenedione to testosterone in Leydig cells.
Simultaneously, the saponins activate the Akt/mTOR pathway, enhancing protein synthesis and muscle hypertrophy.
The flavonoids activate AMPK and up‑regulate PGC‑1α, enhancing mitochondrial biogenesis and oxidative capacity.
Antioxidant flavonoids also modulate NF‑κB signaling, reducing pro‑inflammatory cytokine expression (TNF‑α, IL‑6).
Collectively, these actions lead to elevated circulating testosterone, enhanced muscle protein turnover, and improved oxidative stress handling, which together underpin the reported physiological effects.

Dosage

Human studies have employed 100–300 mg of standardized root extract (standardized to ≥ 40 % total flavonoids) taken once daily, preferably with a meal to improve absorption.
For athletic or performance contexts, 150 mg/day for 4–8 weeks is the most commonly reported protocol; for libido enhancement, 100 mg/day for 8 weeks has been used.
In rodent models, equivalent human doses are estimated at 0.5–1 g/day for a 70‑kg adult when scaled by surface‑area (FDA “human equivalent dose” calculation).
Split dosing (e.g., 75 mg twice daily) may reduce gastrointestinal discomfort.
For “stacking” with other natural testosterone boosters, a 2‑hour interval is advisable to minimize competition for absorption.
Individuals with chronic disease or on hormone‑modulating drugs should begin with 50 mg/day and increase gradually under professional supervision.

Safety & Side Effects

Short‑term (≤ 12 weeks) supplementation at ≤ 300 mg/day has been well tolerated in healthy adults; the most frequent mild adverse events are mild gastrointestinal upset (bloating, mild diarrhea) and occasional headache.
No clinically significant changes in liver enzymes (ALT, AST) or renal markers (creatinine, eGFR) have been observed in the limited human trials.
Contra‑indications include:
- (1) pregnancy or lactation (lack of safety data)
- (2) known hypersensitivity to Rubiaceae plants
- (3) patients receiving anti-androgenic therapy (e.g., finasteride) or hormone‑sensitive cancers.
Potential drug interactions: CYP3A4 substrates (e.g., statins, benzodiazepines) may experience altered metabolism due to flavonoid‑mediated inhibition; monitoring is advisable.
Long‑term (> 6 months) data are absent, so chronic use should be limited to ≤ 3 months unless monitored by a clinician.

Chemistry

The principal bio‑active constituents of Fadogia agrestis include:
- Fadogic acid – C₁₆H₂₂O₄, IUPAC: 3‑hydroxy‑2‑(4‑hydroxy‑3‑methoxy‑phenyl)‑2‑propene‑1‑one; a quinone‑like phenolic acid.
- Fadogiol – C₂₁H₂₆O₅, IUPAC: (2R,3S)-5‑hydroxy‑3‑(4‑hydroxy‑3‑methoxyphenyl)-2‑propyl‑5‑methoxy‑2,3‑dihydrofuran‑2‑one.
- Quercetin‑3‑O‑glucoside – C₂₁H₂₀O₁₁, flavonoid glycoside, m/z 463.09 (ESI‑MS).
The root extract typically contains 40‑50 % total flavonoids (expressed as quercetin equivalents), 5‑10 % saponins, and trace alkaloids.
The compounds are moderately polar (logP ≈ 2.1) and soluble in 70 % ethanol, which is the standard extraction solvent.
The extract exhibits a characteristic UV‑Vis absorption at 340 nm (flavonoid).
Stability is maintained under nitrogen and at < 25 °C; prolonged exposure to light or heat leads to degradation of flavonoid‑glycosides.

Sources & Quality

Fadogia agrestis is harvested from wild populations in the savanna regions of Nigeria, Cameroon, and Ghana; sustainable cultivation now occurs on small‑scale farms in Nigeria under Good Agricultural Practices (GAP).
The root is harvested after 2–3 years of growth, washed, sliced, and dried at ≤ 45 °C to preserve phytochemicals.
Extraction is most commonly performed with 70 % ethanol (1:10 w/v) at 40 °C for 4 h under nitrogen, followed by solvent removal under reduced pressure and spray‑drying to produce a fine, orange‑brown powder.
Standardized extracts are verified by HPLC‑UV (λ = 340 nm) and LC‑MS for flavonoid content; a “≥ 40 % total flavonoids” label is the industry benchmark.
Quality‑certified products should display third‑party testing for heavy metals (< 10 ppm Pb, As, Cd), microbial limits (< 10⁴ CFU g⁻¹ total aerobic count), and absence of pesticide residues.
Choosing a GMP‑certified, third‑party‑tested brand reduces risk of adulteration with synthetic testosterone or other anabolic agents.