Sphaeranthus Indicus Flower Extract
Also known as: Sphaeranthus indicus L., East Indian Globe Thistle, Gorakhmundi, Sphaeranthus indicus
Overview
Sphaeranthus indicus, commonly known as East Indian Globe Thistle or Gorakhmundi, is a flowering plant with a long history of use in Ayurvedic medicine. Its flower extract is gaining attention in modern supplement formulations, often combined with other botanicals like Mangifera indica or Garcinia mangostana. Research suggests its potential for anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and muscle-enhancing effects. Key areas of study include its impact on cardiometabolic health and its ability to improve muscle strength and endurance. While often studied in proprietary blends, the available evidence, including randomized controlled trials and a meta-analysis, indicates promising benefits and a favorable safety profile at studied dosages. It is typically consumed as a water-soluble extract.
Benefits
Sphaeranthus indicus, particularly when combined with other botanical extracts, offers several evidence-based benefits: - **Cardiometabolic Health:** A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) demonstrated that an 800 mg/day combination of *S. indicus* and *Garcinia mangostana* significantly improved anthropometric parameters (e.g., weight, BMI), lipid profiles (e.g., cholesterol, triglycerides), blood glucose, and blood pressure in obese patients over 8–16 weeks. This suggests a consistent efficacy and safety profile for cardiometabolic support. - **Muscle Strength and Endurance:** Clinical trials using a proprietary blend of *S. indicus* flower head and *Mangifera indica* bark (e.g., LI12542F6) showed significant increases in muscle strength, size, and endurance in healthy men undergoing resistance exercise training (RET) over 8 weeks. This blend also helped reduce cortisol levels, which can aid in muscle recovery and adaptation. - **Anti-inflammatory and Cardiovascular Effects:** Preclinical studies have identified anti-inflammatory compounds, such as 7-hydroxy frullanoide, within *S. indicus*. These compounds inhibit pro-inflammatory cytokines and adhesion molecules (VCAM1, ICAM1) in endothelial cells, suggesting a potential role in slowing atherosclerosis progression, possibly independent of lipid profile changes. While promising, these findings require further clinical validation.
How it works
Sphaeranthus indicus exerts its effects through several proposed mechanisms. For muscle enhancement, the extract blend activates mTOR signaling and upregulates muscle-specific transcription factors like myogenin and myoD, promoting muscle protein synthesis and improving mitochondrial function in skeletal muscle cells. Its anti-inflammatory properties stem from the suppression of LPS-induced cytokine production and inhibition of adhesion molecule expression in endothelial cells, which reduces vascular inflammation and may contribute to cardiovascular protection. Additionally, the extract can synergistically enhance nitric oxide (NO) production in endothelial cells, supporting vasodilation and improving muscle perfusion during exercise.
Side effects
Current research indicates that *Sphaeranthus indicus* flower extract, particularly when used in combination with other botanicals at studied doses, has a favorable safety profile. A meta-analysis reported consistent safety with no significant adverse effects observed at 800 mg/day over 8–16 weeks. Clinical trials evaluating muscle-enhancing blends containing *S. indicus* noted no significant changes in serum creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), which are markers of muscle damage, suggesting good tolerability even during resistance training. While no major drug interactions or contraindications have been documented in the reviewed studies, caution is advised due to the limited availability of long-term safety data. Individuals on medication or with pre-existing health conditions should consult a healthcare professional before starting supplementation. There is currently no information on specific populations (e.g., pregnant or breastfeeding women, children) for whom *S. indicus* might be contraindicated, and therefore, its use in these groups is not recommended without medical supervision.
Dosage
The effective dosage of *Sphaeranthus indicus* in clinical trials has been 800 mg/day, typically as part of a proprietary blend with other botanicals such as *Garcinia mangostana* for cardiometabolic benefits or *Mangifera indica* for muscle enhancement. Benefits have been observed after 8 to 16 weeks of consistent supplementation. The extract is usually consumed daily. While the timing relative to exercise may optimize muscle-related effects, further research is needed to confirm this. It is important to use water-soluble extracts standardized for active constituents, as these are the forms tested in clinical trials. There are no established upper limits or safety thresholds beyond the studied doses, so adhering to the recommended 800 mg/day is advisable. Always follow product-specific instructions and consult a healthcare professional for personalized dosage advice.
FAQs
Is Sphaeranthus indicus effective alone or only in blends?
Most high-quality evidence for *Sphaeranthus indicus*'s benefits comes from studies using it in proprietary blends with other botanicals. Therefore, its isolated effects require further dedicated research to be fully understood.
Are there any safety concerns with Sphaeranthus indicus?
Current evidence suggests a good safety profile at the studied doses (800 mg/day) over 8-16 weeks, with no significant adverse effects reported. However, long-term safety data beyond this duration are currently lacking.
How soon can benefits be expected from Sphaeranthus indicus?
Improvements in muscle strength and endurance have been observed after approximately 8 weeks of supplementation. Cardiometabolic benefits, when combined with other botanicals, may also require similar durations, typically 8-16 weeks.
Does Sphaeranthus indicus interact with medications?
There are no documented drug interactions for *Sphaeranthus indicus* in the reviewed studies. However, as with any supplement, it is always recommended to consult with a healthcare provider, especially if you are taking prescription medications.
Research Sources
- https://www.ijpsonline.com/articles/a-metaanalysis-of-isphaeranthus-indicusi-and-igarcinia-mangostanai-products-on-cardiometabolic-outcomes-in-obese-patient.pdf – This meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigated the effects of *Sphaeranthus indicus* combined with *Garcinia mangostana* on cardiometabolic outcomes in obese patients. It found significant improvements in anthropometric parameters, lipid profiles, blood glucose, and blood pressure at 800 mg/day over 8–16 weeks, with a consistent safety profile. The study highlights the efficacy of this botanical blend for metabolic health.
- https://foodandnutritionresearch.net/index.php/fnr/article/download/8972/15277/ – This randomized, placebo-controlled trial evaluated a proprietary blend of *S. indicus* and *Mangifera indica* (LI12542F6) on muscle strength and endurance in healthy men undergoing resistance training. The study reported significant increases in muscle strength, size, and endurance, along with reduced cortisol levels, and no adverse effects on muscle damage markers over 8 weeks. It supports the blend's role in enhancing exercise performance.
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36794013/ – This publication details a randomized, placebo-controlled trial on the effects of a *Sphaeranthus indicus* and *Mangifera indica* blend on muscle performance. It confirms the findings of increased muscle strength, size, and endurance in healthy men, further supporting the ergogenic potential of this specific botanical combination in conjunction with resistance exercise training.
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26064179/ – This preclinical study investigated the anti-inflammatory properties of *Sphaeranthus indicus* extracts and its active compounds. It demonstrated that the extract and 7-hydroxy frullanoide inhibited inflammatory cytokines and adhesion molecules (VCAM1, ICAM1) in endothelial cells, suggesting a potential mechanism for slowing atherosclerosis progression independent of lipid changes. This research provides mechanistic insights into its cardiovascular benefits.
- https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/nutrition/articles/10.3389/fnut.2024.1393917/full – This article discusses the effects of a *Sphaeranthus indicus* and *Mangifera indica* blend on muscle-related pathways. It explains how the blend activates mTOR signaling and upregulates muscle-specific transcription factors, enhancing muscle protein synthesis and mitochondrial function. It also notes the synergistic enhancement of nitric oxide production, contributing to improved muscle perfusion during exercise, providing a deeper understanding of its mechanism of action for muscle benefits.