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Boerhaavia diffusa

Boerhaavia diffusa is an herb with anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties.

Our evidence-based analysis on boerhaavia diffusa features 50 unique references to scientific papers.

Kamal Patel
Research analysis led by Kamal Patel.
All content reviewed by the Examine.com Team. Published: Jul 10, 2014
Last Updated:

Summary of Boerhaavia diffusa

Primary Information, Benefits, Effects, and Important Facts

Boerhaavia diffusa is an herb found in Ayurveda and other traditional medicines. Historically, Boerhaavia diffusa has been used for its anti-diabetic and diuretic properties. In different areas of the world, Boerhaavia diffusa has also been used for pain relief, anti-inflammation, and treating indigestion. Boerhaavia diffusa is a tropical crawling root plant, with bioactive compounds in both the leaves and roots.

There have not been any human studies conducted on Boerhaavia diffusa, but animal evidence suggests it is an effective diuretic, and can suppress the proliferation of immune cells. This can be harmful in some cases, like during flu season, but beneficial if the immune system is hyperactive. Boerhaavia diffusa also has an anti-proliferative effect on some cancer cells, which means it prevents them from spreading. This anti-cancer effect comes from the isolated bioactive purnavarine.

Boerhaavia diffusa also has anti-oxidant properties.

Boerhaavia diffusa’s anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative mechanisms are plausible explanations for _Boerhaavia diffusa’s potent anti-diabetic effects, which rivals the potency of standard drugs like Glibenclamide and Metformin. Further research is needed to confirm this relationship.

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Things To Know & Note

Is a Form Of

Other Functions:

Primary Function:

Also Known As

Punarnava

Caution Notice

Examine.com Medical Disclaimer

  • Some bioactives in the leaf (anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressive) are found in hot water extracts, suggesting a tea made from the leaves may have bioactivity

How to Take Boerhaavia diffusa

Recommended dosage, active amounts, other details

The standard Boerhaavia diffusa dose used in rat studies is in the range of 200-400mg/kg, with a maximally effective dose of 1000mg/kg. This translates to a human dosage of 32-64mg/kg, or:

• 2,200-4,300mg for a 150lb person

• 2,900-5,800mg for a 200lb person

• 3,600-7,200mg for a 250lb person

These are estimated doses based off of animal research. There have not been any human studies conducted on Boerhaavia diffusa.

Scientific Research on Boerhaavia diffusa

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1Sources and Composition

1.1Sources

Boerhaavia diffusa (Family Nyctinaceae) is a tropical plant that has been used in Ayurveda under the name of 'Punarnava' for jaundice, dyspepsia, and menstrual symptoms.[2] It is a creeping weed and readily grows in the Indian region,[3] and it is usually eaten as a vegetable (West Bengal Tribes, Assam state of India).[4]

1.2Composition

Boerhaavia Diffusa tends to contain:

  • Punarnavine at 0.01%[5] and its glycoside Punernavoside

  • Rotenoid compounds known as Boeravinones (A-J),[6] with B (0.2-0.22% dry weight) and E (0.05-0.06%; one report stating 0.32%[7]) being major constituents.[8][9] Other Boeravinones are G (7.5mg/kg), H (5.2mg/kg), and D (6.4mg/kg)[10]

  • Boeravinone J is slightly different as a coumaronochromones molecule with a 5-carbon ring (B ring) rather than 6-carbon in the other Boeravinones[11]

  • Ursolic Acid

  • Liriodendrin (a diglucoside),[12] its monoglucoside Syringaresinol Mono-β-D-Glucoside, and its aglycone lignan of Syringaresinol[13]

  • Coccineone B and E[14]

  • 6-O-demethylberavinone H, 10-demethylboeravinone C, and 9-O-methyl-10-hydroxycoccineone B[14]

  • Borhavine (Xanthone) and Borhavone (Flavonoid)[15]

  • Caffeoyltartaric Acid at 503.32+/-6.77mg/kg in the roots, with no detectable levels in the leaves[16]

  • Eupalitin as 3-O-galactoside (2198.73+/-126.49mg/kg in leaves, none in roots) and as 3-O-galactosyl(1→2)-glucoside at 1066.07+/-7.87mg/kg in the leaves and 61.38+/-3.23mg/kg in the roots[16]

  • Kaempferol as 3-O-robinobioside at 450.19+/-19.17mg/kg with no detectable amounts in the roots[16]

  • Quercetin as 3-O-robinobioside at 6726.26+/-26.30mg/kg in the leaves and 484.39+/-33.19mg/kg in roots, no detectable free Quercetin[16]

  • 3,3′,5-trihydroxy-7-methoxyflavone[9]

  • Sitosterol, Stigmasterol, and Campesterol (84:13:3 ratios)[17]

  • Hypoxanthine 9-l-arabinofuranoside[18]

  • Vitamin C at 0.21+/-0.03mg/g[15]

  • Vitamin E at 0.054+/-0.022mg/g[15]

  • Zinc and Selenium at 0.52+/-0.05 and 9.28+/-0.16ppm, respectively[15]

Overall phenolic content varies depending on the part used, with leaves having a higher phenolic content (10441.3mg/kg) than the roots (1049.1mg/kg).[16] Organic acids show a reverse trend in the leaves (23,600.5mg/kg) and roots (50,916.7mg/kg) which consisted mostly of Oxalic acid (45-58.55%), Fumaric acid (25.5-28.7%), and Quinic acid in the roots only (24%).[16]

Punarnavine itself, and the Rotenoid class of molecules (Boeravinones) are commonly seen as the main active ingredients

2Pharmacology

2.1Enzymatic Interactions

Boeravinones G and H appear to inhibit the efflux protein BCRP/ABCG2 potently, although all Boeravinones had some activity due to being Rotenoids.[11] The IC50 values of inhibition were 0.7+/-0.07μM and 2.5+/-0.47μM, respectively, and caused mitoxantrone accumulation in cells 92+/-6.5% and 68+/-6.1%, respectively.[11]

3Neurology

3.1Acetylcholine

Basic root and leaf extracts have been tested in doses up to 25mg/mL and no influence on cholinesterase enzymes was noted.[16]

3.2Pain

Boerhaavia Diffusa appears to be used as a pain reducing agent in the Caribbean (Martinican folk medicine)

The plant extract (1000mg/kg bodyweight) appears to reduce pain in mice. In response to an acetic-acid writhing test, this dose of the plant (either dried powder or juice) inhibited 47-50% of pain (with the active control of dipyrone at 200mg/kg fully inhibiting pain) and this pain reduction was replicated in a hot-plate test (heat) with less potency than morphine.[19] As the benefits of the juice extract (more potent than dry powder) were inhibited by naloxone, these effects appear to be mediated by opioids.[19]

Putative pain-reducing effects

3.3Sedation

1g/kg of Boerhaavia juice (extracted with 10% water) has failed to augment pentobarbital-induced sleep, suggesting that it does not possess sedatory actions.[19]

3.4Epilepsy

A compound in Boerhaavia (methanolic root extract) appears to have calcium channel blocking capabilities. [13] Liriodendrin does not alter resting membrane potential of a neuron while attenuating the height and length of a slow response, and at 1mM reduced the amplitude of ICa to 40% of control and was found to be dose-dependent and reversible, with no influence on activation threshold or reversal potential of the neuron.[13]

Roots of Boerhaavia appear to have some historical use for treatment of Epilepsy (Nigerian folk medicine), and injections of the methanolic extract itself (500-2000mg/kg) and one with a higher concentration of the Calcium-Channel Blocker Liridendrin (10-40mg/kg) showed dose-dependent inhibition of PTZ-induced seizures and BAY k-8644 induced seizures.[20] The lower doses tested (10mg/kg Liriodendrin fraction, 500mg/kg methanolic) showed potency similar to 1mg/kg Diazepam while the higher doses showed dose-dependent benefit, but no Boerhaavia group managed to abolish seizures like 4mg/kg Diazepam did.[20] However, 20mg/kg Liriodendrin-rich fraction and 1mg/kg Diazepam showed synergism and outperformed 4mg/kg Diazepam.

Appears to have efficacy in reducing the onset of seizures, but at a higher dose than normally taken in rats and with less efficacy than reference drugs. Possible synergism with Diazepam

4Interactions with Glucose Metabolism

4.1Absorption

Boerhaavia appears to have inhibitory potential against the α-glucosidase enzyme (IC50 1.72mcg/mL) with no apparent effect on α-amylase (enzyme mediating starch digestion).[21] Another test on α-amylase with Boerhaavia outright failed to inhibit this enzyme, as was Ashwagandha ineffective.[22]

Some inhibitory effects on carbohydrate absorption, but selective and not enough evidence to suggest it is potent

4.2Liver enzymes

One mouse study in Alloxan-induced diabetes noted that alterations in liver enzymes associated with diabetes (increase in G6P and F1,6P; decrease in Hexokinase) appeared to be somewhat reversed with 200mg/kg Boerhaavia hot water extract, with a potency similar to 600mcg/kg Glibenclamide and both treatments failing to outright normalize liver enzymes involved in glucose metabolism.[23]

4.3Interventions

Oral ingestion of 500mg/kg Boerhaavia over 30 days in diabetic rats (induced by alloxan) is associated with a trend to normalize blood glucose and serum insulin, with the increase in glucose being attenuated to 29% that of diabetic control; potency comparable to 500mg/kg Metformin.[24] No significant effects were noted on non-diabetic rats, and benefits appeared to build up over the 4 weeks.[24]

Another intervention with 200mg/kg of the leaf hot water extract (tea) for 4 weeks in alloxan-induced diabetes was able to reduce circulating glucose 50.5% and plasma insulin by 52.6% (relative to alloxan control), which was a potency similar to Glibenclamide at 600mcg/kg; slight reduction of blood glucose and insulin were noted in the healthy control.[25] This study also noted a reduction of HbA1c (47%) similar to Glibenclamide and reduction in triglycerides and total cholesterol were also similar.[25] Other studies have also noted anti-diabetic effects at this dose and in this animal model of diabetes,[26] and another study using the same dose Glibenclamide as reference drug has replicated how the above doses are not significantly different from each other.[23] Boerhaavia has outperformed Glibenclamide in response to an oral glucose tolerance test, with the response 120 minutes after ingestion of glucose (2g/kg) not significant different than non-diabetic control.[23]

5Immunology and Inflammation

5.1Immunomodulation

Punarvarine appears to have immunomodulatory aspects, as it can enhance white blood cell count independent of an antigen (40mg/kg injection) and increase the bodily response to an antigen while suppressing LPS-induced proinflammatory responses.[27] A separate study using Punarvarine has noted increases in antibody dependent cell death and antibody dependent complement mediated cell death (10.63% to 41.57% and 14% to 26%, respectively); this study was, however, conducted in a mouse model of metastasis which influences the results.[28]

However, eupalitin (a flavonoid) involved with Boerhaavia appears to potently suppress antigen-induced PMBC proliferation with a large (500mcg/mL) concentration of the leaf ethanolic extract suppressing 88% proliferation in vitro and up to 98% with pure eupalitin glycoside.[29] Similar suppression was seen in lymphocyte proliferation, and a lesser degree of inhibition was noted in LPS-induced macrophages (500mcg/mL of the ethanolic extract and isolated eupalitin glycoside only inhibiting 36% and 67% respectively);[29] a wide variety of cells are suppressed under the influence of the root ethanolic extract including monocytes, macrophages (mouse and human), lymphocytes, erythroleukemic, human T-cells, and a few organ cells (BNLCL.2 liver cells, HEK293 kidney cells, and L929 Fibroblast).[30]

Cells involved in adaptive immunity appear to be enhanced under the influence of the isolated compound, Punarvarine. The overall extract, however, appears to have immunosupressive potential on a large variety of cell types

A mouse model on Natural Killer (NK) Cells has shown that NK cell activity has increase from a peak 6.98% in control (in a model of melanoma metastasis) to 32.46% at 1mg per animal (40-50mg/kg).[28]

An inhibition of NK cell activity has been noted with an ethanolic extract of the herb, yet further testing failed to find any influence from eupalitin or its glycoside;[29] suggesting a currently unknown molecule in Boerhaavia may suppress NK cell activity, which may be concentrated in the chloroform extract (more suppressive than ethanolic).[29] Suppression has been noted elsewhere with an ethanolic extract of the roots.[31]

Natural Killer Cell activity may be enhanced by Punarvarine, but practical significance is unknown as another compound in the herb may suppress NK cell activity

In this same mouse model, the cytokines that were measured noted attenuation (IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6) or induction (IL-2, IFN-γ) following 40-50mg/kg Punarvarine injections for 5 days following tumor implantation,[28] this study is duplicated in Medline.[32]

Reductions in TNF-α production have been noted in vivo with eupalitin glycoside (flavonoid) secondary to suppressing macrophage activation;[29] this may be downstream from NF-kB and AP-1 inhibition.[29] This inhibition of TNF-α has been noted elsewhere with the ethanolic root extract.[31]

A beneficial trend of cytokines (more anti-inflammatory than pro-inflammatory, as a general statement) appears to result after injections of Punarvarine. The immunosuppressive compounds in the herb (currently not known) could simply just reduce all cytokines except perhaps IFN-γ

6Cancer Metabolism

6.1Metastasis

The alkaloid Punarnavine has been tested in isolation for inhibiting metastasis of B16F-10 melanoma cells in mice, and 40mg/kg injections were associated with reducing tumor formation in the lungs when administered 10 daily for days prior to the tumor (95.25%), with a 10 day delay prior to drug administration for 10 days (93.9%), and starting upon delivery of cancer cells (80.1%).[5] This was accompanied by increased survival in all groups and a trend to normalize some serum parameters associated with metastasis (hexosamine, uronic acid, sialic acid) as well as suppression of VEGF, MMP2, and MMP9.[5] Another study using similar methodology noted increases in TIMP-1 alongside the reduction in metastasis, and noted that these observed effects may be due to the immune system (due to increases in NK cells and increase in antigen-mediated cytotoxicity),[28] and a third study has confirmed reduced metastatic potential of implanted melanoma cells in this mouse line with a concomitant increase of survival from 35.1+/-5.4 days in control (tumor bearing) and enhancing lifespan by 240-257% of control.[33]

In mice, appears to reduce metastasis of melanoma cells possibly secondary to the immune system

6.2Melanoma

One study in Melanoma cells (B16F-10 cells) using isolated Punarnavine noted that cytotoxicity in these cells was not present at 1-10ug/mL while ranging from 7-19% at concentrations of 25-500ug/mL (weak dose dependence).[34] An increase of cells with fragmented DNA existed at 10mcg/mL from 2% to 71% (reducing cell counts in all other cell cycle phases relatively) and this concentration was accompanied by 53.6% inhibition of proliferation.[34]

A reduction of pro-survival Bcl-2 was noted in these cancer cells with 10mcg/mL Punarnavine.[34] Three subunits of NF-kB also had their nuclear translocation reduced by 71.8% (p65), 78.6% (p50), and 80.2% (C-Rel), suggesting anti-inflammatory effects.[34]

Limited evidence, but appears to be more anti-proliferative than inherently cytotoxic

6.3Breast Cancer

One test in MCF-7 cells (estrogen-responsive breast cancer cells) testing 20-320mcg/mL Boerhaavia methanolic extract was able to reduce cell viability at only 160 and 320mcg/mL (reaching 46.8% at 320mcg/mL).[2] This was seen with an increase of G0/G1 cell population from 69.1% to 75.8%.[2]

6.4Cervical Cancer

Screening of cells prior to this experiment suggested that cervical cancer cells (HeLa) were more sensitive to cytotoxicity than glioma (U-87), Hep 3B (liver), HCT-15 (colon), and the mouse cell NIH 3T3 (embryonic fibroblast).[35] Subsequently, ethanolic extract of Boerhaavia were tested and one (BDF5) exerted 55% cell death (24 hours) and 85% cell death (72h) at 300mcg/mL incubation, with nonsignificant cell death 24 hours after 100mcg/mL but 64% after 72 hours; dose and time-dependent cytotoxicity with an IC50 of 250mcg/mL at 48 hours.[35] Boerhaavia also reduced proliferation and increased DNA fragmentation in HeLa cancer cells, while increasing the cell population in S and G2+M phases.[35]

7Interactions with Oxidation

7.1In vitro tests

In vitro, Boerhaavia water extract shows concentration-dependent anti-oxidant activities (DPPH assay) with an IC50 value of 119.9, which is comparable to Vitamin C at 122.0,[36] although another study notes that the DPPH activity of Boerhaavia leaf extract (ethanolic) has less anti-oxidant activity at 78.32+/-2.41% that of Vitamin C.[15] Interactions in the DPPH assay are stronger in the leaves than the roots, with another study noting respective IC25 values of 41μg/mL and 1234μg/mL, respectively.[16] These effects are probably reflective of the flavonoid content of Boerhaavia, which are concentrated in the leaf water extract.

Similar effects were seen for sequestering Nitric Oxide in a dose-dependent manner, with IC50 values being higher in the leaves than roots with IC25 values of 155 and 217μg/mL, respectively.[16] Relative to other plants, Boerhaavia is relatively weak (outperforming Ginkgo Biloba, but being outperformed by 16/25 tested herbs in this study including Holy Basil).[37]

In superoxide radical tests, the roots appear to be more potent than the leaves with IC50 values of 45 and 297ug/mL, respectively.[16]

That being said, more potent anti-oxidant effects are seen with Boeravinone G. Although the Boeravinones D, G, and H are seen as the more potent ones, Boeravinone G was able to scavenge 65.9+/-3.3% of hydroxyl radicals (0.5mg/mL in a Electron spin resonance spectroscopy test), and at a concentration of 1ng/mL abolished lipid peroxidation in vitro, approximately halved intracellular ROS, and almost normalized oxidant-induced DNA damage; Boeravinone showed no pro-oxidative properties on its own, and normalized NF-kB expression induced by oxidation.[10]

Quite potent anti-oxidant effects in general, with Boeravinone G being remarkably potent in vitro using cell cultures (Benefits after oral consumption hard to extrapolate from this)
Independent of Boeravinone G, the flavonoid component appears to also exert direct anti-oxidative properties (like most plants, with this aspect not being too remarkable)

7.2Interventions

After hepatoxicity induced by acetominophen overdose in rats, Boerhaavia ethanolic extract (leaves) was able to normalize LDH and ALP levels at 400mg/kg (dose-dependently reduced these two at lower doses), showing more efficacy than a water extract of the leaves.[15] TBARS (a measure of lipid peroxidation) was also normalized at doses exceeding 100mg/kg of both ethanolic and water extracts, suggesting anti-oxidant properties underlied the liver protection.[15] 20mg/kg injections of the hydroalcholic extract of Boerhaavia has also shown protective effects against oxidation induced by radiation, where White Blood Cell count (decreased by gamma-radiation) was effectively preserved to control levels and both lipid peroxidation and plasma ALP were reduced.[38]

Anti-oxidant effects appear to exist in vivo after oral ingestion, but Boeravinone G has not been tested in isolation nor is the practical relevance of these studies meaningful yet; preliminary research

8Interactions with Organ Systems

8.1Airway

Leaves of Boerhaavia are used in the Ivory Coast for treatment of asthma, as well as for cough and dyspnea in Benin.[39] When tested in precontracted mouse tracheal rings, Boerhaavia was able to induce relaxation at 30mcg/mL with the water extract (EC25 94+/-19mcg/mL), 50-70% relaxation with 1mg/mL ethanolic extract (EC25 533+/-233mcg/mL), and the methanolic extract inducing 55% relaxation at 20mcg/mL (EC25 12+/-3mcg/mL).[39]

May relax the trachea; unknown practical significance or mechanisms

8.2Kidneys

Boerhaavia appears to have anti-urolithiasis (kidney stone reducing) actions, as assessed by one in vitro study in urine suspension where adding Boerhaavia at varying concentrations of 1-100mg/mL where concentrations above 32mg/mL reduced both size and count of Calcium-Oxalate Monohydrate (COM) crystals with 100mg/mL eliminating these from urine; Calcium-Oxalate Dihydrate (COD) crystals were dose dependently reduced above 16mg/mL;[40] COD crystals are considered less urolithic than COM crystals.[41] Another test showed that it was ineffective against Monosodium Urate Monohydrate crystals.[42]

In rats administered ethylene glycol to induce hyperoxaluria (subsequently, inducing renal damage and calcium-oxalate kidney stones[43]) given 100-200mg/kg water extract of Boerhaavia was able to reduce the size and content of kidney stone crystals in rat urine in a dose-dependent manner and normalized kidney histology (indicative of kidney damage) in a similar dose-dependent manner.[36] Normalization of anti-oxidant enzymes and markers (MDA, Glutathione, Catalase, etc.) occured in both treated groups.[36] This same protocol was tested with the nutraceutical formulation Urex (Boerhaavia and Tribulus Terrestris) at 200mg/kg or 400mg/kg acted to normalize serum parameters of kidney function (BUN, Creatinine) while reducing urinary salts, although neither dose was able to normalize parameters measured.[44]

In regards to diuresis (urination), the increase of urination associated with kidney stones (79.47%) was further increased by 72.3% and 220% after ingestion of 100 and 200mg/kg aqueous extract of Boerhaavia, respectively.[36] This has been noted elsewhere where urine totals reached 133% more than control animals with 200mg/kg Urex (Boerhaavia and Tribulus).[44] Diuretic effects are due to compounds that are present in both the leaves and roots, with minimal efficacy when using the stem.[45]

Boerhaavia appears to be kidney protective and reduce formation of kidney stones at 100-200mg/kg (estimated human conversion dose of 16-32mg/kg)
Appears to be a diuretic, but not compared to any reference drugs (and thus unknown practical relevance)

8.3Intestines

Various Boeravinones appear to have spasmolytic effects in the guinea pig ileum (in vitro test for intestinal interactions), with the lowest Emax values on acetylcholine-induced contractions associated with 10-demethylboeravinone C (19.4 +/- 1.3), coccineone E (25.2 +/- 2.0) and 9-O-methyl-10-hydroxycoccineone B (36.1 +/- 3.3); other Boeravinones and Papaverine were either less active (30-100) or inactive.[14][46]

9Interactions with Hormones

9.1Estrogen

Boerhaavia appears to have anti-estrogenic effects. The IC50 for displacing ligands from the receptor was fairly weak at 320+/-25ug/mL, yet 100mcg/mL Boerhaavia methanolic extract was equally effective as the standard ICI 182-780 (potent antiestrogen) for downregulating estrogen-dependent genomic signaling as assessed by expression of pS2,[2] used as an indicator of estrogenicity in MCF-7.[47][48]

Potent anti-estrogenic effects on the receptor when looking at the genome, yet doesn't appear to be fully explained by the receptor level antagonism (which is somewhat weak)

9.2Cortisol

One study using Boerhaavia Diffusa noted decreases in serum cortisol in mice.[49]

10Safety and Toxicology

One study in rats attempting to find an LD50 value failed to find any clinical signs of toxicity associated with 5g/kg of Boerhaavia extract or juice (extracted with 10% water), although a full blood panel was not conducted.[19]

250mg/kg Boerhaavia ethnaolic extract in pregnant rats has failed to show teratogenic effects.[50]

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