Coix Lachryma Jobi Extract
Also known as: Coix seed extract, Adlay extract, Job's tears extract, Chinese pearl barley extract, Kanglaite, Coix lacryma-jobi L. Extract
Overview
Coix lacryma-jobi L., commonly known as Coix seed or Job's tears, is a grass species whose seeds are widely used in East Asia as both a food source and a traditional medicine. The extract derived from these seeds contains a rich array of bioactive compounds, including polysaccharides, coixol, proteins, lipids, and polyphenols. Traditionally, it has been employed for various ailments such as inflammatory conditions, neuralgia, and certain neoplastic diseases. Modern research primarily investigates its potential in anti-cancer adjunct therapy, anti-inflammatory effects, and benefits related to metabolic syndrome. It is recognized for its potential immunomodulatory, anti-tumor, hypoglycemic, and lipid-lowering properties. While research is ongoing, several systematic reviews and meta-analyses, particularly concerning its use as an adjunct in cancer therapy, indicate a moderate level of research maturity, predominantly in East Asian populations.
Benefits
Coix lacryma-jobi extract offers several evidence-based benefits, primarily as an adjunct in cancer therapy. Preparations like Kanglaite, when combined with chemotherapy, have been shown in multiple systematic reviews and meta-analyses to significantly improve objective response rates and quality of life in cancer patients. It also helps reduce common chemotherapy side effects such as nausea, vomiting, and leukopenia, indicating a strong level of evidence for this application. While some clinical evidence suggests Coix seed extract may modulate immune function, particularly in pediatric patients, these effects have been transient and not always statistically significant over placebo. Preclinical studies, including animal and cell models, demonstrate promising effects on metabolic health, showing improvements in glucose tolerance, reductions in dyslipidemia, and prevention of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) induced by high-fat diets. These studies also highlight its anti-inflammatory, hypocholesterolemic, and hypoglycemic activities. The benefits in cancer adjunct therapy are observed during chemotherapy cycles, while metabolic benefits in animal models typically manifest over weeks to months.
How it works
Coix lacryma-jobi extract exerts its therapeutic effects through multiple biological pathways. Its anti-tumor properties are believed to stem from the modulation of various cancer-related signaling pathways, including those involved in apoptosis and cell cycle regulation, as identified by KEGG enrichment analysis. The extract's bioactive compounds interact with the immune system, potentially modulating immune function, and influence hepatic metabolism, contributing to improvements in lipid profiles and glucose homeostasis. While specific molecular targets are still being fully elucidated, network pharmacology approaches have identified multiple protein targets related to cancer pathways, including regulators of apoptosis and inflammatory mediators. The active ingredients in Coix lacryma-jobi extract are considered to have adequate oral bioavailability, although detailed pharmacokinetic data are not extensively reported.
Side effects
Coix lacryma-jobi extract is generally well tolerated in clinical studies, with no major safety concerns reported in systematic reviews or clinical trials. Common side effects are not well documented, and notably, Kanglaite, a Coix seed extract preparation used as an adjunct, has been associated with reducing chemotherapy side effects rather than causing new adverse effects. There are no significant reports of uncommon or rare side effects in the reviewed literature. While no major adverse drug interactions have been reported, caution is advised when used concurrently with chemotherapy agents due to its adjunct role. Specific contraindications are not clearly defined, but general precautions applicable to herbal extracts and adjunct therapies should be considered. Studies involving pediatric populations have also reported no major adverse effects, suggesting a favorable safety profile in this group.
Dosage
Clinical trials have utilized Coix seed extract powder at minimum effective doses of 6–12 g/day. Optimal dosage ranges vary, with pediatric immune studies suggesting 6 g/day for individuals weighing ≤30 kg and 12 g/day for those >30 kg. Dosing in cancer adjunct therapy can differ based on the specific formulation and treatment protocol. The maximum safe dose has not been definitively established, but clinical studies have reported doses up to 12 g/day without significant safety concerns. The extract is typically administered orally two or three times daily, with adjunct therapy synchronized with chemotherapy cycles. Various forms, including extract powders, tablets, and injectable formulations (e.g., Kanglaite), are used depending on the intended indication. The oral bioavailability of the active ingredients is considered adequate, and no specific cofactors are reported as required for its efficacy.
FAQs
Is Coix seed extract safe during chemotherapy?
Yes, evidence suggests that preparations like Kanglaite are safe when used as an adjunct to chemotherapy and may even help reduce chemotherapy-related side effects.
How long before benefits appear?
Benefits in cancer adjunct therapy are typically observed during chemotherapy cycles. Immune modulation effects may appear within weeks but can be transient.
Does it cure cancer?
No, Coix lacryma-jobi extract is used as an adjunct therapy to improve treatment response and quality of life, not as a standalone cure for cancer.
Can it be used for metabolic diseases?
Preclinical evidence shows potential benefits for metabolic diseases like NAFLD and dyslipidemia, but more human clinical trials are needed to confirm these effects.
Research Sources
- https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pharmacology/articles/10.3389/fphar.2022.901875/full – This overview of systematic reviews and meta-analyses by Lu et al. (2022) synthesizes findings on Kanglaite (Coix seed extract) as an adjunct to chemotherapy. It concludes that Kanglaite significantly improves objective response rates, enhances quality of life, and reduces common chemotherapy side effects such as nausea, vomiting, and leukopenia in cancer patients. The study highlights the clinical utility of Coix seed extract in improving outcomes for patients undergoing cancer treatment, despite some heterogeneity in the included studies.
- https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1934578X211048642 – Suzuki et al. (2021) conducted a placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial involving pediatric patients to assess the effect of Coix seed extract on immune function. The study found no statistically significant overall effect on immune parameters, although a transient benefit was observed in male participants at four weeks. This research provides insights into the immune-modulating potential of Coix seed extract in a specific population, noting the need for further investigation due to limited sample size per subgroup and duration.
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10762529/ – Meng et al. (2023) utilized network pharmacology to investigate the mechanisms of action of Coix seed active compounds. Their review identified multiple cancer-related signaling pathways, including those involved in apoptosis and cell cycle regulation, as potential targets. This study provides a mechanistic understanding of Coix seed's anti-cancer properties, although it primarily relies on preclinical data and highlights the need for further clinical validation.
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7275964/ – Chiang et al. (2020) conducted animal and cell studies demonstrating that Adlay seed extracts can improve glucose tolerance, reduce dyslipidemia, and prevent non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in mouse models fed high-fat diets. This preclinical research suggests promising metabolic benefits of Coix seed extract, indicating its potential for managing metabolic disorders, although human clinical trials are necessary to confirm these findings.
