Mahogany Bark
Also known as: Mahogany bark, American mahogany bark, Swietenia macrophylla, Swietenia mahagoni
Overview
Mahogany bark is a botanical extract derived from the bark of trees belonging to the genus *Swietenia*, primarily *Swietenia mahagoni* and *Swietenia macrophylla*. Traditionally used in folk medicine, it is categorized as an herbal supplement or botanical extract. It is purported to possess antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and growth-promoting properties. Research on mahogany bark is currently limited, consisting mostly of preclinical studies or small-scale investigations. There is a notable absence of high-quality systematic reviews or meta-analyses specifically focusing on mahogany bark as a human supplement. The overall quality of evidence is considered low to moderate, with very few rigorous randomized controlled trials (RCTs) conducted in humans. Consequently, its efficacy and safety for human consumption are not well-established.
Benefits
Research on the benefits of mahogany bark for human health is largely preliminary and lacks robust clinical evidence. One controlled study in aquaculture demonstrated that mahogany bark extract supplementation in catfish diets significantly improved growth performance, feed conversion ratio, and specific growth rate, with an optimal dose of 20 ml extract per 100 g feed. This suggests potential growth-promoting effects, though this finding is from an animal model and not directly transferable to humans. A systematic review on medicinal herbs in periodontal therapy mentioned mahogany bark among other plant extracts with potential antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects beneficial for periodontal diseases. However, direct evidence for mahogany bark in this context was limited, and more clinical trials are needed to confirm these effects. Preliminary in vitro reports suggest that compounds found in mahogany bark may exhibit anticancer activity, such as against colon cancer cells. These findings are very early-stage and have not been confirmed by systematic reviews or clinical trials in humans. Currently, there are no high-quality human clinical trials with adequate sample sizes and controls to quantify effect sizes or clinical significance for common human health conditions.
How it works
Mahogany bark contains various bioactive compounds, including limonoids, flavonoids, and tannins. These compounds are believed to be responsible for the observed biological activities, such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects. The proposed mechanism involves the modulation of immune responses and the inhibition of microbial growth, which could contribute to the effects seen in animal and in vitro studies. For instance, the antimicrobial properties might help combat bacterial infections, while anti-inflammatory compounds could reduce inflammation. However, detailed information regarding the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) of these compounds in humans, as well as their specific bioavailability, is currently lacking.
Side effects
The overall safety data for mahogany bark are sparse due to limited clinical research. There is a significant lack of comprehensive information regarding common side effects, drug interactions, or contraindications. A notable safety concern arises from a report indicating that extracts from mahogany seeds (which are related to, but distinct from, the bark) have been associated with acute liver injury in humans. This suggests a potential risk of hepatotoxicity, warranting extreme caution, especially in individuals with pre-existing liver conditions or those concurrently taking hepatotoxic medications. Given the limited human data, the severity and frequency of potential adverse effects are not well documented. Without robust clinical trials, a complete safety profile cannot be established, and users should be aware of the unknown risks. It is strongly advised to consult a healthcare professional before considering the use of mahogany bark, particularly if you have any underlying health issues or are on other medications.
Dosage
There are no established or reliably recommended dosing guidelines for human supplementation with mahogany bark due to the significant lack of clinical trials. Information on appropriate human dosage, timing of administration, and optimal formulation is not available. While one study in aquaculture showed that 20 ml of mahogany bark extract per 100 g of feed was effective for improving growth in catfish, this animal-specific dosage cannot be extrapolated to humans. Without human clinical data, it is impossible to specify safe and effective dosage ranges, upper limits, or safety thresholds for human consumption. Any use of mahogany bark as a supplement would be speculative and carries unknown risks, especially concerning potential liver toxicity as suggested by related seed extracts. Therefore, reliable human dosing recommendations cannot be provided at this time.
FAQs
Is mahogany bark safe for human consumption?
The safety of mahogany bark for human consumption is not well established. Reports of potential liver toxicity from related seed extracts warrant significant caution, and comprehensive safety data are lacking.
Does mahogany bark improve oral health?
Mahogany bark may possess supportive antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects beneficial for oral health, but current evidence is insufficient to recommend it as a treatment. More clinical trials are needed.
Are there proven benefits for cancer or other diseases?
No conclusive clinical evidence exists for proven benefits of mahogany bark for cancer or other diseases in humans. Any reported anticancer effects remain preliminary and are not clinically confirmed.
How should it be taken?
There are no validated human dosing or administration protocols available for mahogany bark. Without established guidelines, its use is not recommended.
Research Sources
- https://advetresearch.com/index.php/AVR/article/view/772 – This controlled feeding trial in catfish (n=20 per group) over 30 days demonstrated that supplementation with 20 ml of mahogany bark extract per 100 g of feed significantly improved growth performance, feed conversion ratio, and specific growth rate (p<0.05). The study suggests potential growth-promoting effects in an animal model, though it is not directly applicable to humans and lacked blinding.
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10155875/ – This systematic review on medicinal herbs in periodontal therapy highlighted the potential benefits of various plant extracts, including mahogany bark, for managing gingival inflammation. However, it noted a significant lack of high-quality clinical trials and evidence to definitively support the efficacy of mahogany bark for periodontal diseases, emphasizing the need for more rigorous research.
- https://www.news-medical.net/news/2006/03/27/16910.aspx – This source discusses preliminary reports and in vitro studies suggesting that constituents from mahogany bark may exhibit anticancer properties, such as against colon cancer cells. It emphasizes that these findings are early-stage and that no randomized controlled trials or meta-analyses have confirmed efficacy or safety in humans for cancer treatment.
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK608064/ – This report indicates a significant safety concern related to mahogany extracts, specifically noting that extracts from mahogany seeds have been associated with acute liver injury in humans. This suggests a potential hepatotoxicity risk, highlighting the need for extreme caution and further safety evaluations for any mahogany-derived products.