Albizia Flower Extract
Also known as: Mimosa tree, Persian silk tree, Albizia flower, Albizia julibrissin Durazz., Albizia julibrissin flower extract
Overview
Albizia julibrissin flower extract is derived from the flowers of the *Albizia julibrissin* tree, native to southern and eastern Asia. Traditionally used in Chinese medicine, it is reputed for calming, antidepressant, hepatoprotective, and sleep-enhancing properties. The extract contains bioactive compounds including flavonoids (notably quercitrin), saponins (julibrosides), and alkaloids. Research into its pharmacological effects is emerging, with preclinical and some clinical studies investigating its neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, and anxiolytic effects. However, systematic reviews or meta-analyses in humans remain limited, and clinical evidence is not yet robust. It is primarily studied for its potential to modulate neuroimmune pathways and protect liver function.
Benefits
Preclinical studies suggest several potential benefits. Quercitrin, a flavonoid in the extract, has shown hepatoprotective effects in animal models by alleviating methamphetamine-induced liver toxicity through modulating mitochondria-mediated apoptosis pathways, indicating antioxidant potential. Aqueous extracts have demonstrated antidepressant-like activity in stressed rats by reducing proinflammatory cytokines (IL-2, IL-6) and nitric oxide, suggesting neuroimmune anti-inflammatory effects. In rodent models, *Albizia julibrissin* extract ameliorated insomnia-induced memory loss, particularly improving short-term memory, with saponins like julibroside JC1 potentially contributing to anxiolytic and sleep-promoting effects. Additionally, *Albizia* cortex extracts increased macrophage phagocytic activity and lymphocytic IL-2 levels in mice, indicating immune-enhancing properties. While traditional medicine uses it for anxiety, depression, and insomnia, robust human clinical trials are scarce, and no high-quality systematic reviews or meta-analyses confirm efficacy in these indications.
How it works
The hepatoprotective effect of Albizia julibrissin flower extract involves the inhibition of mitochondria-mediated apoptosis pathways and antioxidant activity, which reduces oxidative stress in the liver. Its antidepressant and anxiolytic effects are linked to the modulation of neuroimmune pathways, specifically the suppression of proinflammatory cytokines and interaction with the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, suggesting a dual neuroimmune and neuroendocrine mechanism. Saponins, such as julibrosides, are thought to interact with central nervous system receptors to exert anxiolytic and sleep-promoting effects, though their precise molecular targets require further elucidation. Despite limited water solubility of some active compounds, traditional aqueous extracts appear to deliver sufficient bioavailable components to exert systemic effects in animal models.
Side effects
Overall safety data for Albizia julibrissin flower extract in humans are insufficient. Due to the limited number of controlled human studies, there is a lack of well-documented side effect profiles for both oral and topical use. No common, uncommon, or rare side effects have been reliably reported in rigorous human studies. Furthermore, potential drug interactions and contraindications remain largely uncharacterized. While traditional use suggests general tolerability, comprehensive and rigorous safety assessments are currently lacking. Consumers should exercise caution due to the absence of established safety parameters and consult a healthcare professional before use, especially if taking other medications or having underlying health conditions.
Dosage
There is no standardized dosing established from clinical trials for Albizia julibrissin flower extract. Animal studies have utilized aqueous extracts at doses such as 6 g/kg (rat equivalent) orally for 21 days to observe antidepressant effects. Traditional medicine doses vary widely and are not based on modern pharmacokinetic or pharmacodynamic studies. Due to the lack of formal guidelines and robust human clinical data, any clinical dosing should be approached with extreme caution. There are no established upper limits or safety thresholds for human consumption. Individuals considering this supplement should consult a healthcare professional for personalized advice, acknowledging the significant gaps in scientific understanding regarding appropriate and safe dosages.
FAQs
Is Albizia flower extract effective for anxiety or depression?
Preclinical evidence suggests potential benefits for anxiety and depression by modulating neuroimmune pathways, but high-quality human randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are currently lacking to confirm efficacy.
Is Albizia flower extract safe to use?
Safety in humans is not well established due to insufficient clinical data. Caution is advised, and potential users should consult a healthcare professional before use.
How long does it take for effects to appear?
Animal studies indicate that effects may appear after several weeks of administration. However, human data on the onset of effects are currently unavailable.
Can Albizia flower extract be used for liver protection?
Animal studies show hepatoprotective effects against toxin-induced liver injury, particularly from quercitrin. However, human evidence for liver protection is currently absent.
Research Sources
- https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pharmacology/articles/10.3389/fphar.2025.1482172/full – This preclinical study investigated quercitrin from Albizia julibrissin flowers in a methamphetamine-induced hepatotoxicity rat model. It found that quercitrin significantly reduced liver injury markers and apoptosis by modulating mitochondrial pathways, demonstrating its hepatoprotective potential. The study provides mechanistic insights but lacks human data.
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10230641/ – This review focused on the molecular mechanisms of Albizia julibrissin extracts in depression models. It highlighted that an aqueous extract (6 g/kg for 21 days) reversed stress-induced proinflammatory cytokine elevation in rats, suggesting neuroimmune modulation as a key mechanism for its antidepressant-like effects. This was a preclinical study without human RCT data.
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6463593/ – This animal study demonstrated that Albizia julibrissin extract ameliorated memory loss induced by insomnia in mice, supporting its cognitive benefits related to sleep. It identified saponins as active compounds contributing to these effects. While promising, this research is preclinical and lacks human clinical trials.
- https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-1451/albizia – This source provides a general overview of Albizia, noting its traditional uses for anxiety, depression, and insomnia. It emphasizes the lack of robust scientific evidence from human clinical trials to support these uses and highlights the insufficient safety data.
- https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1155/2019/7395962 – This article, likely the same as the PMC link for the 2019 study, details how Albizia julibrissin extract improved memory in insomnia-induced mice. It reinforces the role of saponins in its anxiolytic and sleep-promoting effects, further supporting the preclinical evidence for cognitive and sleep benefits.