Eriobotrya Japonica Extract
Also known as: Loquat, Japanese medlar, Eriobotrya japonica Lindl., Eriobotrya japonica
Overview
Eriobotrya japonica, commonly known as Loquat or Japanese medlar, is a subtropical evergreen tree traditionally utilized in herbal medicine. Extracts derived from various parts of the plant, including leaves, seeds, bark, flowers, and fruit, are rich in diverse phytochemicals such as phenols, polyphenols, flavonoids, triterpenoids, alkaloids, saponins, and cardiac glycosides. The leaves, in particular, are noted for their high concentration of secondary metabolites when extracted with polar solvents like methanol. Research on E. japonica extract primarily focuses on its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, metabolic, and enzyme inhibitory properties. While promising, most of the current evidence stems from in vitro, animal, and small-scale human studies, indicating a need for more extensive human clinical trials to fully establish its therapeutic potential and safety profile.
Benefits
Eriobotrya japonica extract offers several potential health benefits, primarily supported by in vitro and animal studies. It exhibits significant **antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects**, with water extracts of loquat flowers shown to inhibit inflammatory markers like prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and demonstrate strong antioxidant activity. Optimal extraction conditions (e.g., >80°C for 60 minutes) enhance the bioactive content for these effects. The extract also possesses **antifungal activity**, with various extracts from seeds, leaves, and bark demonstrating potentiating effects against *Cryptococcus neoformans*, likely due to their rich phytochemical composition. Furthermore, *E. japonica* shows promise for **metabolic health**, as evidenced by studies in hyperlipidemic mice where loquat juice improved lipid homeostasis, reduced liver steatosis, and decreased oxidative stress markers, suggesting potential benefits for metabolic syndrome and fatty liver disease. Lastly, leaf extracts have demonstrated **enzyme inhibitory properties**, specifically inhibiting α-glucosidase activity, which could contribute to blood glucose regulation and support anti-diabetic effects. While these findings are encouraging, the strength of evidence is currently limited by the lack of large-scale human clinical trials.
How it works
The therapeutic actions of *Eriobotrya japonica* extract are attributed to its diverse array of bioactive compounds, including flavonoids, polyphenols, and triterpenoids. Its **antioxidant effects** are primarily mediated by the scavenging of free radicals, thereby reducing oxidative stress throughout the body. **Anti-inflammatory properties** stem from the inhibition of key inflammatory mediators, such as prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). The observed **antifungal activity** is likely due to the ability of its phytochemicals to disrupt fungal cell membranes or interfere with their metabolic processes. For **metabolic regulation**, the extract's compounds may modulate lipid metabolism pathways and reduce oxidative damage, particularly in liver tissue. The **anti-diabetic potential** is linked to the inhibition of α-glucosidase, an enzyme responsible for breaking down carbohydrates, which slows glucose absorption and helps regulate blood sugar levels.
Side effects
Based on the available research, *Eriobotrya japonica* extract appears to have a favorable safety profile in preclinical studies. Cell viability assays and animal models have reported no significant toxicity or adverse effects at the tested doses. However, it is crucial to note that comprehensive human safety data, including detailed reports of side effects, are currently lacking in the reviewed literature. There are no known drug interactions or contraindications that have been documented in high-quality human studies. Due to the absence of sufficient data, the safety of *E. japonica* extract in special populations, such as pregnant or breastfeeding women and children, remains unestablished. Therefore, caution is advised, and further human clinical trials are necessary to fully assess its safety profile, potential adverse reactions, and interactions with medications or pre-existing conditions.
Dosage
Specific dosing guidelines for *Eriobotrya japonica* extract in humans have not yet been established due to the limited number of clinical trials. Research studies have utilized various forms of the extract, including water extracts, methanol extracts, and juice, with the extraction parameters significantly influencing the concentration of bioactive compounds. For instance, optimal extraction conditions for maximizing bioactive content in loquat flower extracts involve water extraction at temperatures above 80°C for 45–60 minutes. While animal studies have employed doses scaled to body weight, these findings cannot be directly extrapolated to humans without further research. Traditionally, loquat has been consumed as teas or juices, but these methods do not provide standardized dosages. Without robust human clinical data, it is not possible to recommend specific dosage ranges, timing considerations, or upper safety limits. Further research is essential to determine effective and safe human equivalent doses for various therapeutic purposes.
FAQs
Is Eriobotrya japonica extract safe?
Current preclinical evidence suggests safety at tested doses in laboratory and animal studies, but comprehensive human safety data are still insufficient to draw definitive conclusions.
What are the main benefits of Eriobotrya japonica extract?
The main benefits observed in research include antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, metabolic regulation, and enzyme inhibitory effects, particularly for blood glucose control.
How should I take Eriobotrya japonica extract?
There are no standardized human dosing guidelines. Traditionally, it has been consumed as teas or juices, but specific supplement forms and dosages require further research.
How long does it take to see effects from Eriobotrya japonica extract?
Animal studies have shown metabolic improvements over weeks, but the timeline for observable effects in humans is currently unknown due to limited clinical research.
Does the extraction method matter for Eriobotrya japonica extract?
Yes, the solvent polarity, temperature, and extraction time significantly affect the yield and type of phytochemicals, which in turn influences the extract's biological activity.
Research Sources
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9023220/ – This experimental study analyzed phytochemical content and antifungal activity of *E. japonica* extracts from seeds, leaves, and bark. It found that methanol extracts from leaves yielded the highest phytochemicals and demonstrated antifungal potentiating activity against *Cryptococcus neoformans* in vitro, highlighting its potential as an antifungal agent.
- https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1155/2023/1188178 – This research focused on optimizing extraction conditions for loquat flower water extract and evaluating its functional properties. It concluded that extracts obtained at >80°C for 60 minutes had the highest bioactive content, significantly inhibited PGE2 production, and were non-toxic to cells, indicating strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential.
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11596324/ – This animal study investigated the metabolic effects of loquat juice in hyperlipidemic mice. The findings showed that loquat juice significantly improved lipid profiles, reduced liver steatosis, and decreased oxidative stress markers, suggesting its potential benefit for metabolic syndrome and fatty liver disease.
- https://www.scielo.org.mx/article_plus.php?pid=S2007-42982024000401231&tlng=en&lng=en – This study conducted a phytochemical analysis of *E. japonica* leaf extracts and evaluated their enzyme inhibitory activity. It found that the leaf extracts inhibited α-glucosidase, an enzyme involved in carbohydrate digestion, suggesting a potential anti-diabetic effect by helping to regulate blood glucose levels.
