Get Your Personalized Supplement StackSupplement Stack Quiz

Bonduc Extract

Also known as: Caesalpinia bonducella, Bonduc seed, Fever nut, Nicker nut, Caesalpinia bonduc

Overview

Caesalpinia bonduc, commonly known as Bonduc seed or Fever nut, is a tropical leguminous plant whose seeds are traditionally used for various medicinal purposes. Extracts from its seeds, typically prepared using ethanolic, hydroalcoholic, or aqueous solvents, are primarily investigated for their purported anti-inflammatory, anti-urolithiatic (kidney stone prevention), anti-androgenic (prostate health), and hormonal regulatory effects. Research on C. bonduc is predominantly preclinical, utilizing animal models to study induced disease states such as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), urolithiasis, and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). While the evidence base is emerging and shows promise in these animal studies, there is a current lack of large-scale human randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or systematic reviews/meta-analyses to confirm its efficacy and safety in humans. Therefore, its application as a human supplement is currently based on traditional use and preliminary animal data.

Benefits

Preliminary preclinical research suggests several potential benefits of Caesalpinia bonduc extracts, though human evidence is currently lacking: - **Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH):** Ethanolic and hydroalcoholic extracts have shown significant efficacy in reducing prostate weight and prostatic index in testosterone propionate-induced BPH rat models. Doses of 200-400 mg/kg led to up to ~80% inhibition of prostate weight increase, with some studies indicating superior performance compared to finasteride in specific parameters. This suggests a strong potential for prostate health. - **Antiurolithiatic (Kidney Stone Prevention):** In sodium oxalate-induced urolithiasis rat models, a 400 mg/kg ethanolic extract demonstrated the ability to prevent kidney damage, normalize urine electrolytes, and reduce calcium oxalate supersaturation. This indicates a promising role in preventing kidney stone formation. - **Hypolipidemic Effects:** Studies in rats have shown that ethanolic and petroleum ether extracts can improve serum lipid profiles, suggesting potential cardiovascular benefits through modulation of lipid metabolism. - **Hormonal Regulation in PCOS:** An ethanolic seed extract modulated altered hormone levels (estrone, estradiol) in mifepristone-induced PCOS rats. This points to potential endocrine regulatory effects, which could be beneficial in conditions like PCOS.

How it works

The mechanism of action for Caesalpinia bonduc extracts is not fully elucidated but is believed to involve several pathways. Its anti-BPH effect is likely mediated by anti-androgenic activity, inhibiting testosterone-induced prostate enlargement. The antiurolithiatic effects may stem from its ability to normalize urinary electrolytes and reduce the formation of calcium oxalate crystals, thereby preventing kidney stone development. Hypolipidemic effects suggest an interaction with lipid metabolism pathways, leading to improved serum lipid profiles. In hormonal regulation, particularly in PCOS models, the extract appears to modulate estrogen and progesterone pathways. Bioactive phytochemicals such as flavonoids, saponins, and alkaloids are suspected to be the primary contributors to these effects, though their exact molecular targets and the absorption and bioavailability of these compounds in vivo are not yet well characterized.

Side effects

Based on preclinical studies, Caesalpinia bonduc extracts appear to have a favorable safety profile in animal models, but human safety data are currently absent. Acute and subacute toxicity studies in albino Wistar rats showed no toxic effects at oral doses up to 400 mg/kg. No significant adverse effects or changes in body weight were reported in animals treated in BPH and urolithiasis studies. However, the lack of human clinical trials means that potential side effects, severity, and frequency in humans are unknown. There are no documented drug interactions or contraindications available from the current limited data. Due to the absence of human safety data, caution is strongly advised, and individuals should consult a healthcare professional before considering its use, especially if pregnant, breastfeeding, or on any medications.

Dosage

Currently, there are no established human dosing guidelines for Caesalpinia bonduc extract. Effective doses observed in animal models ranged from 200 to 400 mg/kg body weight of ethanolic or hydroalcoholic seed extracts. Translating these animal doses to humans requires complex allometric scaling, which has not been performed or validated. The specific form of the extract (e.g., ethanolic vs. hydroalcoholic) may influence its efficacy and should be considered. In animal studies, administration typically involved daily doses for several weeks to observe effects. Without human clinical trials, any self-dosing is speculative and not recommended. Upper limits and safety thresholds for human consumption are unknown, emphasizing the need for professional medical guidance.

FAQs

Is Bonduc extract safe?

Animal studies suggest a good safety profile at tested doses, with no reported toxicity. However, human safety data are not available, so its safety in humans remains unconfirmed.

What conditions might it help?

Preliminary animal evidence suggests potential benefits for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), kidney stone prevention, improving lipid profiles, and hormonal regulation in PCOS models.

How soon do effects appear?

In animal models, beneficial effects were typically observed after several weeks of consistent daily treatment, suggesting it may not be a fast-acting supplement.

Is it better than standard drugs?

In some BPH animal models, Bonduc extracts showed greater prostate weight reduction than finasteride. However, this is preclinical data, and its clinical relevance compared to standard drugs in humans is unknown.

Research Sources

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9150786/ – This preclinical study in rats investigated the effects of ethanolic and hydroalcoholic extracts of Caesalpinia bonduc on testosterone propionate-induced benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The findings indicated that both extracts significantly reduced prostate weight and prostatic index, with up to 80% inhibition of prostate weight increase at higher doses, outperforming finasteride in some parameters. The study suggests a strong potential for C. bonduc in managing BPH, though it is limited to an animal model.
https://japsonline.com/abstract.php?article_id=3577&sts=2 – This preclinical study in rats evaluated the antiurolithiatic and toxicity effects of Caesalpinia bonduc ethanolic extract. It found that a 400 mg/kg dose prevented kidney damage, normalized urine electrolytes, and reduced calcium oxalate supersaturation in a sodium oxalate-induced urolithiasis model, indicating potential for kidney stone prevention. Additionally, acute and subacute toxicity tests showed no toxic effects at the tested doses, suggesting a good safety profile in animals.
https://docsdrive.com/pdfs/pharmacologia/2016/1-8.pdf – This research explored the hypolipidemic effects of ethanolic and petroleum ether extracts of Caesalpinia bonduc seeds in rats. The study demonstrated that these extracts improved serum lipid profiles, suggesting a potential role in managing dyslipidemia and offering cardiovascular benefits. This finding contributes to the understanding of the plant's broader therapeutic potential.
https://japsonline.com/admin/php/uploads/3076_pdf.pdf – This preclinical study investigated the effects of ethanolic seed extract of Caesalpinia bonduc on hormonal regulation in mifepristone-induced PCOS rat models. The results indicated that the extract modulated altered hormone levels, specifically estrone and estradiol. This suggests that C. bonduc may have endocrine regulatory effects, offering a potential therapeutic avenue for conditions involving hormonal imbalances like PCOS.