Abutilon Theophrastii Extract
Also known as: Abutilon theophrasti Medic., Velvetleaf, Qingma, Abutilon theophrasti
Overview
Abutilon theophrasti, commonly known as Velvetleaf or Qingma, is a plant traditionally used in Chinese medicine, primarily for inflammatory gastrointestinal conditions such as dysentery and peptic ulcers. Extracts, typically aqueous or flavonoid-rich fractions from leaves or whole plant parts, are characterized by their anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial properties. These effects are attributed to secondary metabolites like flavonoids and phenolic acids. Current research is predominantly at a preclinical stage, utilizing in vitro and animal models, with no high-quality human clinical trials identified. The plant shows promise in modulating inflammatory responses and combating oxidative stress, but its application in human health requires further rigorous investigation.
Benefits
Research on Abutilon theophrasti has identified several potential benefits, primarily from preclinical studies. Its primary effect is anti-ulcer activity, demonstrated in rat models where a standardized aqueous extract significantly reduced experimentally induced gastric ulcers, mitigating inflammation and histopathological damage. The strength of this evidence is moderate, based on animal studies. Antioxidant activity has been shown in vitro, where flavonoid fractions effectively scavenge free radicals and reduce oxidative stress markers, indicating a strong in vitro effect. Secondary benefits include antibacterial activity against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, with various extracts showing efficacy comparable to standard antibiotics in some in vitro studies. Anti-inflammatory effects are linked to the modulation of NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways in cell models. However, there is no human clinical data to confirm these benefits in specific populations, and quantitative effect sizes or clinical significance are not reported in the available preclinical studies.
How it works
Abutilon theophrasti exerts its effects through several proposed mechanisms. Its anti-ulcer activity is believed to involve the modulation of inflammatory cytokines and signaling pathways crucial for gastric mucosal protection and repair. The plant's antioxidant properties are primarily attributed to its rich content of flavonoids and phenolic compounds, which act as potent scavengers of reactive oxygen species, thereby reducing oxidative stress. The observed antibacterial activity is thought to be due to various bioactive secondary metabolites, including flavonoids, steroids, and coumarins, which may disrupt bacterial cell functions. At a molecular level, the anti-inflammatory effects are linked to the modulation of key inflammatory pathways such as NF-κB and MAPK. The bioavailability and pharmacokinetics of its active compounds in biological systems are not yet well characterized.
Side effects
Currently, there is a significant lack of comprehensive safety and toxicity data from human studies regarding Abutilon theophrasti extract. While animal studies have not reported overt toxicity at the tested doses, these findings do not directly translate to human safety. Consequently, common side effects, potential drug interactions, and contraindications for human use remain largely undocumented in a clinical context. Although traditional use might suggest a general level of tolerability, rigorous scientific assessments of its safety profile in humans are absent. Therefore, without robust clinical data, it is not possible to provide a detailed list of adverse effects or specific risk factors. Individuals considering its use should be aware of this significant knowledge gap.
Dosage
There are no established dosing guidelines for Abutilon theophrasti extract from human clinical trials. The preclinical studies that demonstrate its potential benefits utilize standardized extracts with quantified flavonoid content, but these dosages cannot be directly translated to human recommendations. The potency of extracts can vary significantly depending on extraction methods and the yield of active compounds, such as flavonoids. Without human safety and efficacy data, any specific dosage recommendations would be speculative and potentially unsafe. Therefore, individuals should exercise extreme caution and consult with a healthcare professional before considering the use of Abutilon theophrasti, as appropriate human dosages and safety thresholds have not been determined.
FAQs
Is Abutilon theophrasti extract safe for human use?
While traditional use suggests some safety, there is no robust clinical safety data available from human studies. Rigorous safety assessments are lacking, and potential side effects or interactions are unknown.
What are the expected benefits of Abutilon theophrasti extract?
Potential benefits include anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial effects, primarily demonstrated in vitro and in animal models. These findings are promising but require human clinical validation.
How should Abutilon theophrasti extract be taken?
There are no standardized human dosing guidelines or established formulations. Dosages used in preclinical studies do not directly translate to human use, and potency can vary significantly.
Research Sources
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12213860/ – This preclinical animal study investigated the effects of a standardized aqueous extract of Abutilon theophrasti on experimentally induced gastric ulcers in rats. The findings indicated that the extract significantly reduced ulcer severity, modulated inflammatory markers, and identified potential molecular targets through bioinformatics analysis. The study provides moderate quality preclinical evidence for anti-ulcer activity.
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5872602/ – This research focused on the extraction and characterization of flavonoids from Abutilon theophrasti and their in vitro antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It demonstrated that flavonoid components exhibit significant antioxidant activity and inhibit NF-κB and MAPK pathways in cell lines. The study offers good chemical and mechanistic data but lacks in vivo or clinical relevance.
- https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Phytochemistry-and-pharmacological-activities-of-a-Gomaa-Samy/a66853d489ffadd10ce67fa3edc33383ef210439 – This literature review and compilation of in vitro studies explored the phytochemistry and antibacterial activity of various extracts from the genus Abutilon. It highlighted that multiple extracts demonstrated antibacterial efficacy comparable to standard antibiotics against several pathogens. While providing supportive phytochemical evidence, the review has low clinical relevance due to the absence of clinical trials and heterogeneous data.