Russelia equisetiformis (Drop of blood) : medicinal properties in alcoholic extraction

Russelia equisetiformis (Drop of blood, the tears of Christ, Goutte de sang, larmes du Christ) — family Plantaginacées.

Scientific synonyms : Russelia juncea -Zucc..

This database documents alcoholic (ethanol) extractions of active substances. Our monograph currently lists 3 indications in alcoholic extraction for this species. The Lapo v2 catalogue records 26 scientific references for this species (full detail in the application).

Important — scientific references on this public page: only a short excerpt of each cited source is shown (selected abstract sentences), kept in the original language of the publication (most often English), without translation. These excerpts are not the full article text and are not a complete bibliography. The full reference records and complete monographic detail are available in the Lapo v2 application (free 30-day trial).

1. 1

   Cancer: adjuvant treatment for breast cancer

   Plant part used: stem.

   Scientific references (short excerpts)

   Short excerpts only (not the full article). Full reference records are in the Lapo v2 application.

   • According to RAMIZAH RR (2026)

     Excerpt Russelia equisetiformis has been used in traditional medicine, but its molecular mechanisms against breast cancer remain unexplored. Cytotoxicity evaluation using the Resazurin assay demonstrated the extract’s activity against MCF-7 breast cancer cells with an IC50 value of 352.60 ± 0.23 ????g/mL.

   • According to Awe EO (2010)

     Excerpt The methanol extract of Russelia equisetiformis (MRE), which exhibited significant antiinflammatory activity, was evaluated for the possible mode of action by studying its antioxidant potential in adjuvant- induced arthritic rats.

2. 2

   Osteoarthritis, arthritis, rheumatism, oedema

   Plant part used: stem.

   Scientific references (short excerpts)

   Short excerpts only (not the full article). Full reference records are in the Lapo v2 application.

   • According to OLORUNJU E (2012)

     Excerpt The anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated using egg albumin-induced paw edema, formaldehyde–induced arthritis & cotton pellet granuloma in-vivo tests. Conclusion: These findings suggest that lupeol isolated from extract of RE possesses anti-inflammatory activity in acute & certain aspects of chronic inflammation.

   • According to Olusegun HO (2017)

     Excerpt There are solitary reports of anti-inflammatory, analgesic, & antinociceptive properties. A large number of herbal medicines are widely in-use to offer relief from hepatic injury, although attempts are still ongoing globally to get scientific proofs for these orthodox remedies, there is still paucity of data on Russelia equisetiformes.

   • According to Awe EO (2010)

     Excerpt The methanol extract of Russelia equisetiformis (MRE), which exhibited significant antiinflammatory activity, was evaluated for the possible mode of action by studying its antioxidant potential in adjuvant- induced arthritic rats.

   • According to Columba-Palomares MC (2021)

     Excerpt Columba-Palomares MC et al Anti-Inflammatory, Antioxidant, & Antinociceptive Activities of Russelia equisetiformis (L.) Wettst.

   • According to Awe EO (2012)

     Excerpt Awe EO et al, Anti-inflammatory activity of Russelia equisetiformis Schlecht & Cham: identification of its active constituent, Jl Intercult Ethnopharmacol.

3. 3

   Malaria: Plasmodium berghei

   Plant part used: Pesticidal and veterinary use.

   Scientific references (short excerpts)

   Short excerpts only (not the full article). Full reference records are in the Lapo v2 application.

   • According to Ojurongbe O (2015)

     Excerpt This work explores the antiplasmodial potential of ethanol extract of Russelia equisetiformis in chloroquine Plasmodium berghei infected mice. The study concluded that the ethanol extract of RE possesses antimalarial effect, which supports the folk medicine claim of its use in the treatment of malaria.

   • According to Awe EO (2010)

     Excerpt In searching for herbal remedy that is safe & efficacious, we therefore, evaluate the anticonvulsant effects of methanol Russelia equisetiformis extracts (MERE). Although, the data obtained in the present study, do not provide convulsive evidence, it would appear that RE crude extract (MERE), & its n-hexane fraction produce the observed anticonvulsant activity by enhancing GABAergic neurotransmission, and/or facilitating GABAergic action in the brain.

   • According to Awe EO (2010)

     Excerpt The methanol extract of Russelia equisetiformis (MRE), which exhibited significant antiinflammatory activity, was evaluated for the possible mode of action by studying its antioxidant potential in adjuvant- induced arthritic rats.

   • According to RAMIZAH RR (2026)

     Excerpt Russelia equisetiformis has been used in traditional medicine, but its molecular mechanisms against breast cancer remain unexplored. Docking analysis revealed that these compounds form binding interactions with target receptors, providing insight into their potential mechanism of action, albeit with lower affinity compared to standard drugs (Tamoxifen & Anastrozole).

Further indications (including other extraction modes where applicable), dosages, precautions for use, and the <strong>full scientific references</strong> (complete records, not only the short excerpts above) are available in the complete monographic record in the Lapo v2 application.