Eucommia Ulmoides Leaf Extract
Also known as: Hardy rubber tree, Du Zhong, EUL, Eucommia ulmoides leaf extract, Eucommia ulmoides
Overview
Eucommia ulmoides leaf extract (EUL) is derived from the leaves of the Eucommia ulmoides tree, a plant with a history of over two millennia of use in traditional Chinese medicine. The extract is rich in bioactive compounds such as chlorogenic acid, various flavonoids (including quercetin derivatives and rutin), and polysaccharides. EUL is primarily investigated for its potential benefits in supporting bone health, providing cardiovascular protection, exhibiting antioxidant properties, and aiding in metabolic regulation. While research on EUL is growing, much of the current evidence comes from preclinical studies, including animal models and in vitro experiments. There are emerging but still limited randomized controlled trial (RCT) data in humans, indicating that while promising, more extensive human clinical trials are needed to fully establish its efficacy and safety in human populations. It is commonly used as a herbal extract and a botanical extract within the traditional Chinese medicine framework.
Benefits
Eucommia ulmoides leaf extract (EUL) shows several promising, evidence-based benefits, primarily supported by preclinical research: - **Bone Health:** EUL has demonstrated efficacy in animal models of osteoporosis by modulating gut microbiota, increasing short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), and inhibiting osteoclast formation. This suggests a potential role in preventing bone loss, though human clinical trials are needed to confirm these effects. - **Cardiovascular and Lipid Metabolism:** Active metabolites from EUL, specifically EUL 50, have been shown to reduce lipid accumulation and inflammation in rat models of atherosclerosis. This is achieved by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activity and promoting autophagy, indicating significant anti-atherosclerotic potential. The strength of evidence for this benefit is moderate, based on robust animal studies. - **Antioxidant Effects:** Dietary supplementation with EUL in animal studies (pigs) has led to increased antioxidant enzyme activities (GSH-PX, SOD) and reduced markers of lipid peroxidation (MDA). This suggests that EUL can enhance the body's defense against oxidative stress. The evidence is strong in animal models, but direct human relevance requires further study. - **Immunomodulation and Anti-inflammatory:** Polysaccharides isolated from EUL have exhibited immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, and hepatoprotective activities in preclinical studies. This broad range of effects suggests EUL's potential in managing inflammatory conditions and supporting immune function. The evidence is primarily from in vitro and animal studies. - **Other Potential Benefits:** Improvements in meat quality and lipid metabolism have been observed in animal models, though these findings have indirect relevance to human health.
How it works
Eucommia ulmoides leaf extract (EUL) exerts its effects through multiple mechanisms. It modulates gut microbiota, promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria like *Lactobacillus bulgaricus*, which in turn increases the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) crucial for bone metabolism and overall systemic health. EUL's active metabolites, such as EUL 50, inhibit the NLRP3 inflammasome, a key inflammatory pathway, and promote autophagy, which helps reduce foam cell formation in atherosclerosis. Furthermore, EUL enhances the body's antioxidant defenses by increasing the activity of enzymes like glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), thereby reducing oxidative damage. The primary bioactive constituents responsible for these effects include chlorogenic acid, quercetin derivatives, and various polysaccharides.
Side effects
Eucommia ulmoides leaf extract (EUL) appears to have a favorable safety profile based on current preclinical data. In animal studies, EUL has been administered at various doses without significant adverse effects reported, suggesting good tolerability. There are no well-documented common side effects in controlled human studies, as such studies are limited. However, due to the lack of extensive human clinical trials, the full spectrum of potential side effects, their severity, and frequency in humans remains largely uncharacterized. Drug interactions are not well studied; therefore, caution is advised when EUL is used concurrently with medications that affect blood clotting (anticoagulants) or blood pressure (antihypertensives), as there could be potential additive effects. No formal contraindications have been established, but due to insufficient data, EUL should be used with caution during pregnancy and lactation. Data regarding its safety in specific populations, such as children, the elderly, or individuals with pre-existing medical conditions, are also lacking, necessitating further research.
Dosage
Currently, there is no standardized human dosage for Eucommia ulmoides leaf extract (EUL) due to the limited number of human clinical trials. Dosing guidelines are primarily derived from preclinical animal studies. For instance, in atherosclerosis models, active metabolite EUL 50 showed efficacy at doses of 70–140 mg/kg. In osteoporosis models, effective doses varied but demonstrated positive outcomes in senescence-accelerated mice. Traditional usage of *Eucommia ulmoides* varies widely, often involving aqueous extracts. Polysaccharide-enriched preparations are also being investigated for their specific bioactivities. The timing of administration is not well-defined, and absorption factors, such as the specific extraction method and the profile of active metabolites, may influence bioavailability and efficacy. Without established human data, it is not possible to specify upper limits or safety thresholds for human consumption. Any use should be approached with caution and preferably under professional guidance.
FAQs
Is EUL effective for osteoporosis?
Preclinical evidence strongly supports EUL's bone-protective effects by modulating gut microbiota and inhibiting osteoclast formation. However, human randomized controlled trials are currently lacking to confirm these benefits in people.
Can EUL improve cardiovascular health?
Animal studies indicate EUL's potential to improve cardiovascular health through lipid-lowering and anti-inflammatory effects relevant to atherosclerosis. More human data are needed to validate these findings.
Is EUL safe for long-term use?
Animal studies suggest EUL is safe at tested doses, but comprehensive human safety data, especially for long-term use, are insufficient. Caution is advised until more human research is available.
How soon do benefits appear?
In animal models, beneficial effects of EUL have been observed over periods ranging from weeks to months. The timeline for benefits in humans is currently unknown due to limited clinical research.
Research Sources
- https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/fsn3.1779 – This preclinical study in senescence-accelerated mice demonstrated that Eucommia ulmoides aqueous extract ameliorated osteoporosis by altering gut microbiota, increasing short-chain fatty acids, and inhibiting osteoclast formation. The findings suggest a promising role for EUL in bone health, though it is an animal model.
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12328328/ – This preclinical study, involving rat and cell models, found that the Eucommia ulmoides metabolite EUL 50 reduced lipid levels, inhibited NLRP3 inflammasome activity, and promoted autophagy, leading to reduced atherosclerosis markers. The research provides strong preliminary evidence for EUL's anti-atherosclerotic effects, though human trials are needed.
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10967616/ – This controlled feeding trial in pigs showed that dietary supplementation with 0.2% Eucommia ulmoides leaf extract increased antioxidant enzyme activities (GSH-PX, SOD) and reduced lipid peroxidation markers. The study indicates EUL's potential to enhance oxidative stress defense and improve meat quality in animals, with indirect implications for human antioxidant capacity.
- https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pharmacology/articles/10.3389/fphar.2024.1421662/full – This review summarizes the immunomodulatory, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and hepatoprotective effects of polysaccharides isolated from Eucommia ulmoides. It compiles existing preclinical evidence, highlighting the diverse therapeutic potential of EUL's polysaccharide components, but does not present new human clinical data.
- https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pharmacology/articles/10.3389/fphar.2025.1619687/full – This systematic evaluation of rat models confirmed the efficacy of Eucommia ulmoides in osteoporosis, exploring its mechanisms of action. The review reinforces the preclinical evidence for EUL's bone health benefits, emphasizing the need for human trials to translate these findings.