Goat's Rue

Scientific Name(s): Galega officinalis L.
Common Name(s): French lilac, Galega, Goat's rue, Italian fitch, Pestilenzkraut (German), Professor-weed

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Nov 22, 2023.

Clinical Overview

Use

Goat's rue and its derivatives have been used in the management of diabetes mellitus to reduce blood sugar levels. Goat’s rue has also been used for its lactogenic effects to increase milk production. It has tonic, liver protectant, and platelet aggregation inhibitory effects, and has been evaluated for its diuretic and weight loss effects. However, limited clinical trials exist to support these uses.

Dosing

Diabetes: Information is lacking to provide dosing recommendations for goat’s rue in diabetes. Clinical dosing information focuses on metformin, which is derived from goat’s rue.

Galactorrhea: 1 teaspoon (5 mL) of dried herb steeped in 1 cup (240 mL) of water administered twice daily or 1 to 2 mL of tincture administered 3 times daily.

Contraindications

Use caution if administering goat’s rue during surgical procedures due to a potential increased risk of bleeding.

Pregnancy/Lactation

Avoid use. Information regarding safety and efficacy in pregnancy is lacking. Silymarin in combination with galega enhances milk production in breast-feeding mothers.

Interactions

Hypoglycemic medications: Additive blood glucose–lowering effects may occur if using goat’s rue concomitantly with other hypoglycemic medications such as insulin and sulfonylureas.

Antiplatelet/Anticoagulant medications: Because goat’s rue inhibits platelet aggregation, the risk of bleeding may be increased when given concomitantly with other antiplatelet medications or anticoagulants.

Adverse Reactions

Headache, jitteriness, or weakness may occur. Because of its ability to inhibit platelet aggregation, there may be an increased risk of bleeding and bruising with administration of goat’s rue.

Toxicology

Toxicity has been observed with other guanidine derivatives.

Scientific Family

• Fabaceae (bean)

Botany

Goat’s rue is a perennial herb found in temperate grassland regions of Asia and Europe. It also grows wild in damp fields in Britain.Pundarikakshudu 2001 The plant, which prefers damp, low-lying areas and sandy soil, grows to about 1 m in height. It has compound leaves with lance-shaped ends and fruit consisting of a round, indented pod containing many seeds. The flowers are white, lilac, light blue, or pinkish in color and grow on terminal spikes. The dried aerial parts of the plant are harvested during the summer flowering season and used medicinally. The plant has no scent unless bruised, in which case it emits a disagreeable odor, from which the name "goat's rue" may have originated. It has a bitter and astringent taste and can discolor saliva to a yellowish-green hue.Grieve 1931 Goat's rue should not be confused with common rue (Ruta graveolens).Bisset 1994, Blumenthal 1998, Chevallier 1996, Grieve 1931, Reader's Digest 1985

History

Goat's rue has been traditionally used as a vermifuge, and for treatment of snakebites and the plague. It is believed to have been used as a diuretic and tonic for typhoid conditions and as a nervous system stimulant.Chevallier 1996, Grieve 1931 Goat's rue has been used as a soak for tired feet and as an herb in cheese making.Grieve 1931 Hill's Universal Herbal (1832) mentions the addition of the dried flowers to boiling water to make an infusion for drinking to induce sweating and reduce fever.Grieve 1931 The plant is widely cultivated as cattle feed.Chevallier 1996 Reports of lactogenic effects of the plant exist.Heiss 1968 The name "Galega" is derived from "gala" meaning "milk," and "agein" meaning "production."Khodadadi 2016

Chemistry

Guanidine derivatives, including galegine (isoamylene-guanidine) and hydroxygalegine, are present in all parts of goat's rue.Bisset 1994, Chevallier 1996 Several older reports confirm the presence of galegine and related compounds.Barthel 1968, Desvages 1969, Leonard 1972, Reuter 1967, Reuter 1969, Schäfer 1967 A later study discusses the presence of several guanidine derivatives, including galegine and 4-hydroxygalegine flavones, and flavone glycosides.Rosca 1988 The flavonol triglycosides kaempferol and quercetin have been found in the plant,Champavier 2000 as have norterpenoid and sesquiterpenoid glycosides, including the rare norterpenoid glycoside dearabinosyl pneumonanthoside.Champavier 1999 Vasicine and other quinazoline alkaloids have been confirmed in Galega spp.Laakso 1990 Other constituents, including peganine, various flavonoids, saponins, and tannins, are also present in goat's rue.Bisset 1994, Chevallier 1996, Fukunaga 1987, Shevchuk 1967

Uses and Pharmacology

Antibacterial effects

Animal and in vitro data

An in vitro study demonstrated that ethanolic (95%) extracts of G. officinalis inhibited the growth of Enterococcus faecalis and Yersinia enterocolitica. The aqueous alcoholic (60%) extract of G. officinalis inhibited Enterobacter aerogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, E. faecalis, Bacillus subtilis, Serratia marcescens, and Y. enterocolitica.(Pundarikakshudu 2001)

Diuresis

Due to its potential diuretic effects, goat’s rue might be considered for disturbances related to secretion of fluids, such as GI ailments (eg, fermentive dyspepsia, gastrocardiac syndrome, diarrhea). Goat's rue is said to stimulate the adrenal glands and pancreas and to aid in glandular disturbances. However, none of these claims are clinically documented.(Blumenthal 1998, Chevallier 1996)

Galactorrhea

Goat's rue has been shown to increase milk production in lactating animals and in breast-feeding mothers.(Chevallier 1996)

Animal and in vitro data

Goat's rue increases milk secretion from 35% to 50% in cows.(Grieve 1931) Goat's rue is recommended in veterinary medicine to stimulate milk secretion.(Bisset 1994)

Clinical data

In a clinical study, 100 mothers with preterm infants were randomized to receive a galactogogue containing silymarin-phosphatidylserine and galega at a dosage of 5 g/day or placebo from days 3 to 28 postdelivery. Significantly higher milk production was noted with treatment at 7 days and 30 days compared with placebo (P<0.05). Women receiving the galactogogue produced 200 mL (110 to 380 mL) each day compared with 115 mL (60 to 245 mL) with placebo (P<0.0001). Women receiving the galactogogue produced more milk (6,523±5,298 mL) during the study period compared with those receiving placebo (4,136±4,093 mL, P<0.02). No adverse effects were reported.(Zecca 2016)

Hypoglycemic effects

Studies in the 1970s demonstrated that galegine and other guanidine derivatives reduce blood sugar levels.(Chevallier 1996) Metformin, a biguanide used for the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus, is derived from G. officinalis.(Schäfer 1967)

Animal and in vitro data

In a study evaluating effects of rue leaf preparations, alcoholic extracts of goat's rue exhibited hypoglycemic effects in diabetic rabbits.(Shukyurov 1974) Another report found galegine lowered blood sugar 32% in diabetic rats.(Petricic 1982) In another study investigating the mechanism by which fractions of the plant exert hypoglycemic effects, inhibition of glucose transport across monolayers of human intestinal cells occurred in a dose-dependent manner.(Neef 1996) In one study, an extract of G. officinalis normalized leukocyte functionality and reduced apoptosis manifestations in streptozotocin-induced diabetes.(Khokhla 2013) Another report compared the hypoglycemic actions of a dried leaf infusion of G. officinalis with infusions of other plant products.(Lemus 1999) The chromium salt content of goat’s rue may also possess antidiabetic effects.(Bisset 1994)

Clinical data

A review evaluating several alternative therapies for diabetes, including G. officinalis, reported encouraging results regarding new treatment possibilities in diabetes mellitus but noted the need for further research.(Stosic 1993) Goat's rue may be of some value as supportive therapy or in early stages of adult-onset diabetes, with guidance from a physician, but use may not be justified based on severity of the disease, adverse effects/interactions, and the availability of better alternatives.(Blumenthal 1998, Chevallier 1996)

Weight reduction

Several mechanisms have been postulated regarding G. officinalis’ ability to cause weight loss, based on observations in murine models. Although treatment with G. officinalis was accompanied by a transient decrease in food intake in one study, pair-feeding indicated that the effects on body weight were at least partially independent of changes in food intake. Possible mechanisms include the activation of adenosine monophosphate activated protein kinase, enhanced glucose uptake, and inhibition of acetyl-CoA carboxylase. Fatty acid synthesis inhibition and fatty acid oxidation simulation occurs with the inhibition of acetyl-CoA carboxylase.(Mooney 2008)

Animal and in vitro data

In studies investigating the effects of goat’s rue on weight, a reversible, marked weight-reducing effect was demonstrated in mice, regardless of food intake. Postmortem examinations revealed a striking absence of body fat in mice administered goat’s rue.(Palit 1998, Palit 1999) Modifications to galegine, including replacement of the dimethylallyl group by various benzyl substituents, enhanced weight loss ability.(Coxon 2009)

Other uses

Goat's rue has been used as a tonic, liver protectant,(Blumenthal 1998) and platelet aggregation inhibitor.(Atanasov 1999, Atanasov 2000, Atanasov 2002, Atanasov 2016) It may also possess antioxidant effects, which can vary according to the type of extract.(Karakas 2016, Khodadadi 2016) G. officinalis extracts were also noted to have variable cytotoxic activity against glioblastoma and lung adenocarcinoma cell lines. An in vitro study demonstrated that an extract of G. officinalis as well as galegine visually changed the color of melanoma cells and reduced the melanin content.(Lee 2012)

Dosing

Diabetes

Information is lacking to provide dosing recommendations for goat’s rue in diabetes. Clinical dosing information focuses on metformin, which is derived from goat’s rue.

Galactorrhea

1 teaspoon (5 mL) of dried herb steeped in 1 cup (240 mL) of water administered twice daily.Walker 2011

1 to 2 mL of tincture administered 3 times daily.Walker 2011

Pregnancy / Lactation

Avoid use. Information regarding safety and efficacy in pregnancy is lacking. In a study of preterm infants, silymarin in combination with galega enhanced milk production in breast-feeding mothers.Zecca 2016

Interactions

Hypoglycemic medications

Additive blood glucose–lowering effects may occur if using goat’s rue concomitantly with other hypoglycemic medications such as insulin and sulfonylureas.Neef 1996

Antiplatelet/Anticoagulant medications

Because goat’s rue inhibits platelet aggregation, the risk of bleeding may be increased when given concomitantly with other antiplatelet medications or anticoagulants.Atanasov 1999, Atanasov 2000, Atanasov 2002

Adverse Reactions

Headache, jitteriness, or weakness may occur. Because of its ability to inhibit platelet aggregation, there may be an increased risk of bleeding and bruising with administration of goat’s rue.Atanasov 1999, Atanasov 2000, Atanasov 2002

Toxicology

Toxic effects of goat’s rue have been reported, with most data derived from studies in sheep. Dyspnea, anoxia, and foaming nasal discharge were observed in ewes ingesting doses as small as 0.8 g/kg/day. Hydrothorax, lung congestion, foamy exudates in the bronchioles and trachea, epicardial and endocardial petechiation, and pericardial effusion were noted in sheep that died. Microscopic alterations in the lungs were also noted.Keeler 1986, Keeler 1988 In 3 sheep with poisoning from G. officinalis, an asphyxic syndrome occurred and led to death within hours.Puyt 1981 Galegine is suspected to be the cause of toxicity.Khodadadi 2016

In a murine model, G. officinalis at doses up to 5 g/kg was not associated with increased mortality or toxic symptoms. In the subchronic arm of the study, cholesterol, creatine phosphokinase, lactate dehydrogenase, and total and conjugated bilirubin levels were increased in some groups of rats. Reductions in calcium, albumin, albumin/globulin ratio, hematocrit, and white blood cell and platelet counts occurred in some rats.Rasekh 2008

In humans, toxicity has been observed with other guanidine derivatives. Most biguanidine preparations developed in the 1950s have been withdrawn from the market.Bisset 1994 Goat's rue should be used to treat diabetes only under physician supervision due to uncertainty regarding its safety and effectiveness.Blumenthal 1998, Chevallier 1996

References

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This information relates to an herbal, vitamin, mineral or other dietary supplement. This product has not been reviewed by the FDA to determine whether it is safe or effective and is not subject to the quality standards and safety information collection standards that are applicable to most prescription drugs. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to take this product. This information does not endorse this product as safe, effective, or approved for treating any patient or health condition. This is only a brief summary of general information about this product. It does NOT include all information about the possible uses, directions, warnings, precautions, interactions, adverse effects, or risks that may apply to this product. This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. You should talk with your health care provider for complete information about the risks and benefits of using this product.

This product may adversely interact with certain health and medical conditions, other prescription and over-the-counter drugs, foods, or other dietary supplements. This product may be unsafe when used before surgery or other medical procedures. It is important to fully inform your doctor about the herbal, vitamins, mineral or any other supplements you are taking before any kind of surgery or medical procedure. With the exception of certain products that are generally recognized as safe in normal quantities, including use of folic acid and prenatal vitamins during pregnancy, this product has not been sufficiently studied to determine whether it is safe to use during pregnancy or nursing or by persons younger than 2 years of age.

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