Styphnolobium japonicum extract
Also known as: Japanese pagoda tree, Chinese scholar tree, Sophora japonica, Styphnolobium japonicum
Overview
Styphnolobium japonicum extract is derived from the fruit or flowers of the tree, traditionally utilized in East Asian medicine. This plant extract is rich in bioactive compounds, including polyphenols and flavonoids such as sophoricoside, rutin, and apigenin. It is primarily recognized for its potential phytoestrogenic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and neuroprotective properties. While preclinical research, including in vivo animal studies and cell-based assays, shows promising results, the maturity of research is moderate, with a notable absence of high-quality human clinical trials. The current evidence base provides promising insights into its mechanisms and potential benefits, but definitive conclusions regarding human efficacy, safety, and optimal dosing are yet to be established through large-scale randomized controlled trials.
Benefits
Styphnolobium japonicum extract demonstrates several potential health benefits, primarily supported by preclinical research. In ovariectomized rat models, a combination of *S. japonicum* fruit extract and germinated soybean embryo extract exhibited estrogen-like effects, effectively reducing body weight gain, fat content, and vasomotor symptoms associated with menopause, while also improving vaginal mucosa and bone density. This suggests its potential as a safer alternative to traditional hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for postmenopausal symptoms, though human validation is crucial. Furthermore, the extract has shown neuroprotective capabilities by activating the SKN-1/Nrf2 pathway in *Caenorhabditis elegans*, enhancing resistance to oxidative stress and delaying paralysis induced by amyloid-beta toxicity, indicating potential relevance for neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties were evident in a rat model of adjuvant-induced arthritis, where *S. japonicum* flower extract reduced arthritis symptoms, inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α), and oxidative stress markers (MDA), while boosting antioxidant enzyme activities (CAT, SOD, GPx). While these findings are robust in animal models, the specific effect sizes and durations of these benefits in humans remain to be determined.
How it works
The therapeutic actions of *Styphnolobium japonicum* extract are attributed to its rich content of bioactive compounds. Its phytoestrogenic effects, particularly from compounds like sophoricoside, involve binding to estrogen receptors, thereby mimicking estrogenic activity. This mechanism is believed to underpin its potential benefits in alleviating menopausal symptoms and supporting bone health. Additionally, the extract activates the Nrf2 (SKN-1) antioxidant pathway, a crucial cellular defense mechanism that enhances the body's ability to combat oxidative stress. This pathway activation contributes significantly to its observed neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects. The extract also modulates inflammatory responses by downregulating pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6 and TNF-α, and inhibiting matrix metalloproteinases (MMP1, MMP13), which are involved in tissue degradation in inflammatory conditions like arthritis. The bioavailability of its active components, particularly the flavonoid glycosides, is likely influenced by their metabolism in the gut, though specific details are limited.
Side effects
Based on current preclinical research, *Styphnolobium japonicum* extract has not shown significant adverse effects at the doses tested in animal studies. However, there is a critical lack of human safety data from randomized controlled trials, meaning the full spectrum of potential side effects, including rare or long-term adverse reactions, remains unknown. Due to its phytoestrogen content, there is a theoretical possibility of interactions with estrogen-sensitive conditions (e.g., certain cancers) or medications that affect estrogen levels, although these interactions have not been confirmed in studies. Currently, no documented contraindications or specific drug interactions have been reported in the reviewed scientific literature. Users should exercise caution, especially if they have hormone-sensitive conditions or are taking medications that could be affected by estrogenic activity. Comprehensive human clinical trials are essential to establish a complete safety profile, identify potential risks, and determine appropriate usage guidelines for human consumption.
Dosage
Currently, there are no established human dosing guidelines for *Styphnolobium japonicum* extract due to the absence of clinical trials in humans. Dosage recommendations are derived solely from animal studies, which may not directly translate to human physiology. In animal models, effective doses have varied depending on the specific application and extract type. For menopausal symptom relief in ovariectomized rats, extract ratios containing 48–72 mg/g of sophoricoside were used. For anti-inflammatory effects in an arthritis model, rats received 150–300 mg/kg/day of the flower extract. These animal dosages are significantly higher on a per-kilogram basis than what would typically be recommended for humans. The optimal timing of administration, specific formulations (e.g., fruit vs. flower extract), and factors influencing absorption in humans are yet to be studied. Therefore, any human use should be approached with caution, and professional medical advice is recommended.
FAQs
Is Styphnolobium japonicum extract safe for menopausal women?
Animal studies suggest potential efficacy and safety for menopausal symptoms, but human clinical trials are needed to confirm these findings and establish definitive safety for women.
Does Styphnolobium japonicum extract have neuroprotective effects?
Preclinical evidence indicates potential neuroprotective benefits by activating antioxidant pathways, suggesting a role in protecting against neurodegenerative conditions, but human data are lacking.
Can Styphnolobium japonicum extract replace Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)?
Based on animal models, it may be a safer alternative to HRT for menopausal symptoms, but this claim lacks confirmation from human randomized controlled trials.
Are there any known side effects of Styphnolobium japonicum extract?
No significant side effects have been reported in animal studies. However, human safety data are currently insufficient, so potential side effects in humans are not fully known.
Research Sources
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11478548/ – This preclinical study in ovariectomized rats demonstrated that a combined extract of Styphnolobium japonicum fruit and germinated soybean embryo exhibited estrogenic effects, effectively alleviating menopausal symptoms, improving bone health, and normalizing lipid profiles, suggesting its potential as a safer alternative to HRT.
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10507854/ – This preclinical in vivo study using Caenorhabditis elegans showed that Styphnolobium japonicum extract activated the SKN-1/Nrf2 pathway, enhancing resistance to oxidative stress and delaying amyloid-beta induced paralysis, indicating its neuroprotective potential against neurodegenerative diseases.
- https://www.dovepress.com/styphnolobium-japonicum-l-schott-flower-extract-alleviates-oxidative-s-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-JPR – This preclinical randomized controlled trial in rats with adjuvant-induced arthritis found that Styphnolobium japonicum flower extract significantly reduced arthritis symptoms, decreased pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α), lowered oxidative stress markers, and increased antioxidant enzyme activities, highlighting its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
