Fadogia Agrestis: Testosterone Claims, Safety Concerns And Evidence
Fadogia agrestis is an African shrub whose stem extract is sold as a testosterone booster, a use popularized by health podcasts. The evidence behind it is very thin: at the time of writing, we could find no published human clinical trials. The testosterone claims rest on a small number of rat studies, and the longer studies by the same lead researcher reported adverse changes in testicular function markers, plus signs of liver and kidney cell stress. Because the potential downside is in the very organ the supplement is meant to support, we do not recommend fadogia agrestis. If you want a testosterone-related herb with human data, tongkat ali is better studied.
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Key Takeaways
- We found no published human trials of fadogia agrestis for testosterone, libido, muscle or any other outcome.
- A 2005 rat study found the stem extract raised testosterone and sexual behavior over 5 days.
- A 28-day rat study by the same group found changes indicating adverse effects on testicular function at all doses tested, with only partial recovery after stopping.
- Another 28-day rat study found enzyme and lipid changes suggesting liver and kidney cell membrane damage.
- Translated to human body size, the rat doses fall roughly in the range of popular 600 mg products, though the extracts are not directly comparable.
- Product quality is a concern: in one analysis, 5 of 17 supplements labeled as fadogia had none of the plant’s marker compounds detected.
What Is Fadogia Agrestis?
Fadogia agrestis is a shrub in the coffee family (Rubiaceae) native to Africa. In traditional African medicine it has been used as an analgesic and for anti-inflammatory and aphrodisiac purposes.[5] An ethnobotanical survey in Burkina Faso also documented its use in traditional medicine there, and its alkaloid extract showed antimalarial activity in a lab dish.[6]
The supplement boom is recent. Interest in “fadogia agrestis supplements” surged after the herb was discussed on popular health podcasts as a way to raise testosterone, often paired with tongkat ali. Supplement sales outpaced the science. At the time of writing, a PubMed search for “Fadogia agrestis” returns just 10 papers in total, mostly chemistry and animal studies.
Does Fadogia Agrestis Raise Testosterone?
In rats, possibly. In humans, nobody knows.
The Rat Study Behind The Claims (Evidence: Animal Only)
The claim traces mainly to a 2005 study in male albino rats. Animals received an aqueous (water) extract of fadogia stem at 18, 50 or 100 mg per kg of body weight once daily, and were tested on days 1, 3 and 5. All doses increased measures of sexual behavior, such as mount and intromission frequency, and serum testosterone rose in a manner the authors described as suggestive of dose dependence.[1]
A 2023 rat study found the same extract, at the same three doses, restored nitric oxide signaling and several enzymes linked to erectile function in rats given the antidepressant paroxetine to induce sexual dysfunction.[4]
That is the core of the efficacy evidence. Short rat studies are a starting point for research, not proof of benefit in people. Many compounds that raise testosterone in rodents do nothing measurable in humans, and rat hormone responses do not reliably predict human ones.
Human Evidence (Evidence: None)
We found no randomized trials, open-label studies or even case series testing fadogia agrestis in people. No one has published data on whether it changes human testosterone, luteinizing hormone, sperm parameters, libido or body composition. Testimonials and marketing claims are not a substitute.
This is a broader problem in the “T booster” category. An analysis of popular testosterone-boosting supplements found that although 90% claimed to boost testosterone, only 24.8% had any data supporting those claims, and 10.1% contained ingredients with data suggesting a negative effect on testosterone.[8]
Safety Concerns: Testicular, Liver And Kidney Findings
The lead researcher behind the testosterone study also published longer toxicity studies. Their findings are the main reason for caution.
Testicular Function In Rats
In a 2008 study, male rats received 18, 50 or 100 mg/kg of the aqueous stem extract daily for 28 days, followed by a 10-day recovery period. At all doses, the extract increased the testes-to-body weight ratio and several testicular constituents (including cholesterol, sialic acid and glycogen), while decreasing testicular alkaline phosphatase, glutamate dehydrogenase and protein. The authors concluded these changes indicate adverse effects on testicular function that may impair the testes’ functional capacity. Recovery after stopping occurred mainly at the lowest dose (18 mg/kg).[2]
It is worth being precise: this was a biochemical study in rats, not a demonstration of infertility or permanent damage in people. But a supplement marketed to support male hormonal health that produced adverse testicular markers in the only longer-term animal study is a serious red flag.
Liver And Kidney Markers In Rats
A 2009 study using the same doses for 28 days found no outward signs of toxicity, no deaths and no organ swelling or shrinkage. However, the extract reduced activities of several enzymes (alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase and gamma-glutamyl transferase) in the liver and kidney, with corresponding increases in the blood, and raised serum malondialdehyde, a marker of oxidative damage to fats. The authors interpreted this as evidence of disruption of cell membranes in liver and kidney cells.[3]
Product Quality
A 2019 analytical study developed a method to identify fadogia agrestis compounds and tested 17 dietary supplements claiming to contain it. Twelve contained the plant’s phenolic marker compounds; in five, none were detected.[5] That does not prove those five lacked fadogia, but it shows there is no reliable way for consumers to know what they are getting.
Fadogia Agrestis Dosage: Marketed Vs Studied
There is no evidence-based human dose. Fadogia is commonly sold in 600 mg capsules, sometimes labeled as a concentrated extract (for example, 10:1).
How does that compare with the rat studies? Scientists convert animal doses to human equivalents using body surface area rather than body weight, because smaller animals metabolize compounds faster.[7] Using that standard method, the rat doses translate very roughly to:
| Rat Dose | Approximate Human Equivalent (70 kg Adult) | What Rat Studies Found At This Dose |
|---|---|---|
| 18 mg/kg | About 200 mg | Higher testosterone (5 days); testicular marker changes at 28 days, with recovery after stopping |
| 50 mg/kg | About 570 mg | Higher testosterone (5 days); testicular and liver/kidney marker changes at 28 days |
| 100 mg/kg | About 1,100 mg | Higher testosterone (5 days); testicular and liver/kidney marker changes at 28 days |
These are rough estimates for context, not dosing advice. The studies used a homemade water extract of the stem, and commercial “10:1” extracts may be more or less concentrated. The key point is that popular product doses are not obviously lower than the doses that produced adverse findings in rats.
Online advice often suggests cycling fadogia (for example, taking breaks every few weeks) to limit risk. We could not find any study testing whether cycling is safer, so it should not be treated as a safety measure.
Who Should Avoid Fadogia Agrestis
Given the absence of human safety data, we suggest avoiding it entirely, and especially if you:
- Are trying to conceive, or have concerns about fertility or sperm quality.
- Have liver or kidney disease, or take medications that stress these organs.
- Take testosterone, other hormone therapy or medications for prostate conditions.
- Are under 18, pregnant or breastfeeding.
No human drug interaction studies exist. If you choose to take it anyway, tell your doctor, and consider baseline and follow-up blood work for liver and kidney function and hormone levels.
If You Are Concerned About Low Testosterone
Symptoms often blamed on low testosterone, such as fatigue, low libido or poor recovery, have many causes, including poor sleep, stress, weight, alcohol and medications. A blood test ordered by your doctor is the only way to know your levels, and true hypogonadism is a medical condition that a doctor can diagnose and treat.
A Better-Studied Alternative: Tongkat Ali
If you want an herbal option with human research, tongkat ali (Eurycoma longifolia) has randomized trials in men. A 2022 systematic review and meta-analysis of five randomized trials found tongkat ali significantly increased total testosterone, with the clearest effect in men with low testosterone (hypogonadism); the authors called for more research before clinical use.[9] The trials are small and the evidence is far from definitive, but it is a substantially better foundation than rat-only data. Read our full tongkat ali guide and our Nootropics Depot tongkat ali review for doses, extract types and safety.
Nootropics Depot Tongkat Ali Extract
Nootropics Depot does not sell fadogia agrestis, and we do not recommend it. If you want a testosterone-related herb with human trials, ND offers standardized tongkat ali extracts (2% and 10% eurycomanone) with published testing. Talk with your doctor first, and on Amazon buy only from listings “Sold by Nootropics Depot.”
Fadogia Agrestis Vs Tongkat Ali
| Factor | Fadogia Agrestis | Tongkat Ali |
|---|---|---|
| Human randomized trials | None found | Yes; meta-analysis of 5 RCTs[9] |
| Testosterone evidence | Rats, 5 days[1] | Increases in men, clearest when levels are low[9] |
| Safety signals | Adverse testicular, liver and kidney markers in rats[2][3] | Generally well tolerated in short trials; see our tongkat ali page |
| Standardized extracts | No accepted standard | Standardized to eurycomanone |
| Our view | Avoid | Reasonable to discuss with your doctor |
Many products combine the two. Adding fadogia to tongkat ali adds unknown risk without any evidence of added benefit. For other men’s health and energy topics, see shilajit, ashwagandha and Panax ginseng.
Where To Buy Fadogia Agrestis
We are not linking to any fadogia agrestis product. Nootropics Depot, our usual recommendation for single-ingredient supplements, does not sell it, and we could not identify any product with human safety or efficacy data. If you decide to use it despite these concerns, choose a brand that publishes third-party testing for identity and contaminants, and involve your doctor. See our Nootropics Depot review for how we evaluate supplement makers.
Fadogia Agrestis FAQs
Does Fadogia Agrestis Work?
It raised testosterone in a 5-day rat study,[1] but there are no human trials, so whether it works in people is unknown.
Is Fadogia Agrestis Safe?
Safety in humans has not been studied. In rats, 28 days of use produced adverse changes in testicular function markers[2] and signs of liver and kidney cell stress.[3]
Can Fadogia Agrestis Damage Your Testicles?
That has not been shown in humans. In rats, the extract altered testicular biochemistry in ways the researchers called adverse, with recovery mainly at the lowest dose.[2] That is why we advise against it.
What Is The Typical Fadogia Agrestis Dose?
Products commonly provide 600 mg per capsule. There is no human dose backed by research, and that amount is in the general range of the rat doses linked to adverse findings.[7]
Should I Take Tongkat Ali And Fadogia Agrestis Together?
We would not. Tongkat ali has human trials;[9] fadogia does not, and adding it brings unknown risk.
Does Nootropics Depot Sell Fadogia Agrestis?
Not at the time of writing. Their testosterone-related herbs include tongkat ali extracts.
Medical disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Dietary supplements are not evaluated by the FDA to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist before starting a supplement, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, take prescription medication or have a medical condition. Read our full medical disclaimer.
References
- Yakubu et al. Aphrodisiac potentials of the aqueous extract of Fadogia agrestis (Schweinf. Ex Hiern) stem in male albino rats. Asian Journal of Andrology. 2005;7(4):399-404. PubMed
- Yakubu et al. Effects of oral administration of aqueous extract of Fadogia agrestis (Schweinf. Ex Hiern) stem on some testicular function indices of male rats. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 2008;115(2):288-292. PubMed
- Yakubu et al. Mode of cellular toxicity of aqueous extract of Fadogia agrestis (Schweinf. Ex Hiern) stem in male rat liver and kidney. Human and Experimental Toxicology. 2009;28(8):469-478. PubMed
- Ogunro et al. Fadogia agrestis (Schweinf. Ex Hiern) stem extract restores selected biomolecules of erectile dysfunction in the testicular and penile tissues of paroxetine-treated Wistar rats. Reproductive Sciences. 2023;30(2):690-700. PubMed
- Avula et al. Quantification of phenolic compounds from Fadogia agrestis and dietary supplements using UHPLC-PDA-MS. Planta Medica. 2019;85(2):145-153. PubMed
- Sanon et al. Ethnobotanical survey and in vitro antiplasmodial activity of plants used in traditional medicine in Burkina Faso. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 2003;86(2-3):143-147. PubMed
- Reagan-Shaw et al. Dose translation from animal to human studies revisited. FASEB Journal. 2008;22(3):659-661. PubMed
- Clemesha et al. ‘Testosterone boosting’ supplements composition and claims are not supported by the academic literature. World Journal of Men’s Health. 2020;38(1):115-122. PubMed
- Leisegang et al. Eurycoma longifolia (Jack) improves serum total testosterone in men: a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials. Medicina (Kaunas). 2022;58(8). PubMed