Bauhinia Purpurea Extract
Also known as: Bauhinia purpurea, Purple orchid tree, Butterfly tree, Bauhinia purpurea L.
Overview
Bauhinia purpurea, also known as the purple orchid tree or butterfly tree, is a leguminous tree native to Southern Asia. It has a long history of use in traditional medicine. Extracts are typically derived from the bark or leaves, often using solvents like ethanol. Research into Bauhinia purpurea is ongoing, primarily focusing on its potential antiobesity, antithyroid, antioxidant, and hepatoprotective properties. While some promising preclinical and animal studies exist, the evidence base is still emerging, with a notable lack of high-quality human clinical trials or systematic reviews. This limits definitive conclusions regarding its efficacy and safety in humans. The quality of existing evidence is considered moderate, stemming mostly from controlled animal studies.
Benefits
Bauhinia purpurea has demonstrated several potential benefits in preclinical and animal studies, though human efficacy remains unproven. An ethanolic bark extract showed antiobesity effects in high-calorie diet-induced obese rats, reducing body weight, fat percentage, and improving glucose and lipid profiles, suggesting potential metabolic advantages. Leaf extracts have exhibited antithyroid activity in L-thyroxin-induced hyperthyroid rats, with effects comparable to the standard antithyroid drug propylthiouracil. Furthermore, methanol extracts have shown significant antioxidant activity and hepatoprotective effects against paracetamol-induced liver toxicity in rats, attributed to their high phenol and flavonoid content. Some animal studies also suggest potential benefits related to diabetes, such as ameliorating metformin-induced hypothyroidism in diabetic mice. However, it is crucial to note that no large-scale human clinical trials or meta-analyses meeting strict criteria (e.g., RCTs with n≥30 per group, p<0.05, effect sizes) have been identified, meaning these benefits are not yet confirmed in humans.
How it works
The pharmacological effects of Bauhinia purpurea are believed to stem from its rich phytochemical composition, including flavonoids, phenolic compounds, tannins, and glycosides. These compounds contribute to its observed antioxidant and metabolic regulatory activities. The antiobesity effects may involve the modulation of lipid metabolism, improvement of insulin resistance, and inhibition of digestive enzymes such as amylase and lipase. Its antithyroid effects are thought to involve the inhibition of thyroid hormone synthesis or direct modulation of thyroid gland function, similar to the mechanism of action of propylthiouracil. The antioxidant activity is primarily linked to its ability to scavenge free radicals and reduce oxidative stress, thereby protecting tissues, particularly the liver. The exact bioavailability and pharmacokinetics of these compounds in humans are currently not well characterized.
Side effects
Currently, there is a significant lack of comprehensive human safety data for Bauhinia purpurea extract. Preclinical studies in animal models have generally reported no significant toxicity at the tested doses. However, this does not directly translate to human safety. There are no available reports of common, uncommon, or rare side effects in humans. Furthermore, potential drug interactions and contraindications have not been well studied or documented. Due to the absence of robust human safety data, caution is strongly advised when considering the use of Bauhinia purpurea extract. Individuals should be aware that the full safety profile, including potential adverse reactions and interactions with medications or pre-existing conditions, is largely unknown.
Dosage
Due to the limited human clinical research, there are no standardized or established dosing guidelines for Bauhinia purpurea extract in humans. Animal studies have utilized ethanolic extracts at doses scaled for rats, but these doses are not directly translatable to human equivalent dosing. The active compound content can also vary significantly depending on the extraction method (e.g., ethanolic vs. methanolic) and the specific plant part used (e.g., bark vs. leaves). Without sufficient clinical data, it is impossible to recommend a safe or effective dosage range, timing considerations, or different dosages for specific purposes. Upper limits and safety thresholds for human consumption are also undefined. Therefore, any use of Bauhinia purpurea extract should be approached with extreme caution, given the lack of established human dosing and safety data.
FAQs
Is Bauhinia purpurea effective for weight loss or thyroid disorders in humans?
Current evidence is limited to promising animal studies; human efficacy for weight loss or thyroid disorders is not yet proven and requires further research.
Is Bauhinia purpurea extract safe for human consumption?
Safety in humans has not been established due to a lack of comprehensive clinical trials. Use with caution, as potential side effects and interactions are unknown.
How long does it take to see effects from Bauhinia purpurea?
In animal studies, effects typically emerged over several weeks to a few months. However, this timeframe is not confirmed for humans.
Are there any known drug interactions with Bauhinia purpurea?
There is currently no data available on potential drug interactions with Bauhinia purpurea extract. Caution is advised, especially if taking other medications.
Research Sources
- https://www.scirp.org/journal/paperinformation?paperid=50445 – This controlled animal study investigated the effects of an ethanolic bark extract of Bauhinia purpurea on high-calorie diet-induced obese rats. The findings indicated that the extract significantly reduced body weight, fat percentage, and improved glucose and lipid profiles, suggesting potential antiobesity and metabolic benefits in an animal model.
- https://www.gavinpublishers.com/article/view/role-of-ethanolic-extract-of-bauhinia-purpurea-leaves-on-amelioration-of-hyperthyroidismin-l-thyroxin-induced-female-albino-wistar-rats – This controlled animal study explored the antithyroid activity of a leaf extract of Bauhinia purpurea in L-thyroxin-induced hyperthyroid female albino Wistar rats. The results showed that the extract ameliorated hyperthyroidism, with effects comparable to the standard antithyroid drug propylthiouracil, indicating its potential in managing thyroid dysfunction.
- https://tijms.unishams.edu.my/images/pdf_file/vol8/Siti%20Syariah%202023.pdf – This review article summarizes the pharmacological properties of Bauhinia purpurea, highlighting its antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects. It discusses how the plant's rich phytochemical content, particularly phenols and flavonoids, contributes to its ability to scavenge free radicals and protect liver tissue, based on various preclinical studies.
- https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/ptr.2765 – This animal study investigated the effects of Bauhinia purpurea extract in diabetic mice. The findings suggested that the extract could ameliorate metformin-induced hypothyroidism, indicating a potential role in managing certain complications related to diabetes and thyroid function in an animal model.
