Asiatic Dogwood Berry Extract
Also known as: Asiatic Dogwood, Asiatic Dogwood Berry, Japanese Cornelian Cherry, Cornus officinalis
Overview
Asiatic Dogwood Berry Extract is derived from the fruit of *Cornus officinalis*, a plant extensively utilized in traditional Chinese and East Asian medicine. The berries are a rich source of bioactive compounds, including iridoids (such as loganin and morroniside), phenolics, and flavonoids. This botanical extract is primarily valued for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory properties. It is commonly investigated for its potential in managing conditions like osteoarthritis, various inflammatory diseases, and for general immune system support. While research on *C. officinalis* is ongoing, with several randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and systematic reviews exploring its efficacy in inflammatory and degenerative diseases, there is a recognized need for more high-quality, large-scale RCTs to solidify its clinical applications.
Benefits
Asiatic Dogwood Berry Extract offers several evidence-based benefits, primarily driven by its rich phytochemical composition. It exhibits significant anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting key inflammatory pathways like NF-κB and MAPK, and by reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-8, as demonstrated in both in vitro and animal studies. For osteoarthritis (OA) symptom relief, a systematic review and meta-analysis of Chinese herbal medicines, including *C. officinalis*, showed significant reductions in pain scores (VAS) and improvements in functional indices (WOMAC, Lequesne) in knee OA patients, with a favorable safety profile. The extract also possesses immunomodulatory properties, enhancing both non-specific and specific immunity, which may reduce infection incidence and allergic responses by modulating IL-5, eotaxin, and IgE production. Furthermore, its high phenolic and flavonoid content confers strong antioxidant activity, effectively scavenging free radicals and reducing oxidative stress, comparable to standard antioxidants. Preclinical studies also suggest its potential in delaying the progression of osteoarthritis, with loganin, a key iridoid, showing significant effects in rat OA models.
How it works
Asiatic Dogwood Berry Extract exerts its therapeutic effects primarily by modulating immune and inflammatory responses. Its key mechanism involves inhibiting the NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways, which are central to inflammation. This inhibition leads to a reduction in the phosphorylation of protein kinase B (Akt) and a suppression of pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion. The iridoids, particularly loganin and morroniside, are considered the main active compounds responsible for these anti-inflammatory actions. Additionally, the extract's antioxidant effects stem from its rich content of phenolic compounds and flavonoids, which effectively scavenge free radicals and mitigate oxidative stress. While specific bioavailability data are limited, standardized extracts often use loganin and loganic acid as markers for quality control, ensuring consistent active compound levels.
Side effects
Asiatic Dogwood Berry Extract is generally well tolerated, with no significant adverse effects consistently reported in clinical trials for osteoarthritis or immune modulation. There are no common or serious side effects (defined as occurring in >5% of users) that have been consistently documented in the scientific literature. However, data on drug interactions are sparse. Caution is advised when combining *C. officinalis* extracts with immunosuppressants or other anti-inflammatory drugs, as there is a theoretical potential for additive effects. While no specific contraindications or warnings for special populations are well established, pregnant or breastfeeding women should consult a healthcare provider before use due to the limited availability of specific safety data for these groups. Overall, the safety profile appears favorable for short to medium-term use, but comprehensive long-term safety data are still needed.
Dosage
Specific dosing guidelines for isolated Asiatic Dogwood Berry Extract are not yet well standardized in human clinical trials, as most clinical evidence comes from studies using multi-herb formulas containing *C. officinalis*. Animal studies involving intra-articular injections of loganin, a key active compound, used doses ranging from 30-100 μg/mL for osteoarthritis models. Based on traditional use and some experimental studies, oral doses in the range of 1-3 grams of dried fruit extract daily have been suggested, but these require further validation through rigorous randomized controlled trials. For consistency and quality control, extracts are typically standardized to their iridoid content, specifically loganin and loganic acid. Precise human dosing for specific conditions, as well as upper limits and safety thresholds, still require more dedicated research.
FAQs
Is Asiatic Dogwood Berry Extract safe for long-term use?
Current evidence suggests good safety for short to medium-term use. However, comprehensive long-term human data are still lacking, so caution is advised for extended periods of use.
How quickly do benefits appear?
Anti-inflammatory and symptomatic improvements, particularly in osteoarthritis, may take several weeks to months to become noticeable, as observed in animal models and clinical trials.
Can it be used alone or only in combination?
Most clinical evidence involves multi-herb formulas. While it can be used alone, the efficacy of isolated extract needs more dedicated research to establish its standalone benefits.
Does it interact with medications?
Potential interactions with immunomodulatory or anti-inflammatory drugs are possible due to additive effects. It is crucial to consult a healthcare provider before combining it with any medications.
Research Sources
- https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1155/2022/6887988 – This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the efficacy and safety of Chinese herbal medicines, including *C. officinalis*, for knee osteoarthritis. It found significant reductions in pain and improvements in functional indices, with a good safety profile, though noted heterogeneity in herbal formulas and limited sample sizes in included RCTs.
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9102190/ – This narrative review synthesizes experimental data on the phytochemicals and immunomodulatory effects of *C. officinalis*. It highlights the extract's antioxidant activity and its ability to modulate immune responses by reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines and IgE, primarily based on preclinical studies.
- https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/nutrition/articles/10.3389/fnut.2023.1309963/full – This experimental study, involving in vitro and rat OA models, demonstrated that *C. officinalis* extract inhibited NF-κB and MAPK pathways. It also showed that loganin, a key compound, significantly delayed osteoarthritis progression in rats, confirming the extract's anti-inflammatory effects in a preclinical setting.