Cephalotaxus harringtonia (Cephalotaxus harringtonia): Benefits, Dosage, Safety & Evidence

Questions fréquentes

How does Cephalotaxus harringtonia work against leukemia?

Cephalotaxus harringtonia contains alkaloids called homoharringtonine and harringtonine that inhibit protein synthesis in cancer cells. These compounds bind to the ribosome's A-site, blocking peptide chain elongation during translation. This mechanism selectively targets rapidly dividing cells, including leukemia cells. The pharmaceutical drug omacetaxine mepesuccinate, derived from these alkaloids, is FDA-approved for chronic myeloid leukemia resistant to tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Evidence level: C for traditional use; pharmaceutical omacetaxine has established efficacy.

Is Cephalotaxus harringtonia safe during pregnancy?

No, Cephalotaxus harringtonia is contraindicated during pregnancy. The plant contains cytotoxic alkaloids that inhibit protein synthesis and can cause fetal harm. The pharmaceutical derivative omacetaxine carries a black box warning for embryo-fetal toxicity. Women of childbearing potential must use effective contraception during treatment. Pregnant women should avoid all forms of this herb, including raw plant material and extracts. Evidence level: C for herb; pharmaceutical contraindication is established.

What is the recommended dosage of Cephalotaxus harringtonia?

There is no established safe dosage for raw Cephalotaxus harringtonia. The plant contains toxic alkaloids with unpredictable concentrations that require pharmaceutical processing. Omacetaxine mepesuccinate, the FDA-approved derivative, is administered as a subcutaneous injection at 1.25 mg/m² twice daily during induction phases, strictly under medical supervision. Self-medication with raw herb preparations is strongly discouraged due to myelosuppression and hemorrhage risks. Evidence level: C for traditional use; pharmaceutical dosing is standardized.

Does Cephalotaxus harringtonia interact with chemotherapy drugs?

Yes, significant interactions exist. Omacetaxine causes myelosuppression, so combining it with other bone marrow suppressants increases infection and bleeding risks. Concurrent use with anticoagulants or antiplatelet agents elevates hemorrhage risk. The raw herb should not be combined with any medications due to uncontrolled alkaloid content. Patients receiving chemotherapy should avoid this herb entirely unless under specialized oncology supervision. Evidence level: C for herb; pharmaceutical interactions are well-documented.

What are the side effects of Cephalotaxus harringtonia?

The primary side effects include myelosuppression (low blood cell counts), increased bleeding risk, and hyperglycemia. Thrombocytopenia can lead to serious hemorrhage. Anemia and neutropenia increase infection susceptibility. Gastrointestinal effects and fatigue may occur. The raw plant carries additional risks from variable alkaloid concentrations and has caused toxicity in traditional use settings. Medical monitoring is essential during any treatment involving this plant's compounds. Evidence level: C for traditional use; pharmaceutical side effects are well-characterized.

Fiche d'information compilée à partir de PubMed

Cette fiche a été compilée à partir de résumés PubMed (NIH) avec l'assistance d'une IA. Chaque affirmation factuelle est citée par un article PubMed réel (voir la liste des sources). Elle n'a pas encore été révisée par un humain — confirmez auprès d'un professionnel de santé avant utilisation.

Compilé à partir de 30 articles PubMed · modèle : gemma4:31b

Résumé

Cephalotaxus harringtonia is an evergreen tree containing bioactive alkaloids and flavonoids with demonstrated antitumor, anti-inflammatory, and antiproliferative properties [PMID:41614758, 38401836, 8745664].

Contexte

Cephalotaxus harringtonia, also known as the Chinese evergreen tree or Japanese plumyew, is a plant species native to southern provinces of China and Japan [PMID: 6478448, 24202073].

Usages traditionnels

It has been traditionally used in East Asian medicine and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to treat solid tumors [PMID: 41614758, 33998239].

Composés actifs

Key bioactive constituents include alkaloids such as homoharringtonine (HHT), harringtonine, isoharringtonine, neoharringtonine, homoneoharringtonine, 3'S-hydroxyneoharringtonine, and cephalocyclidin A [PMID: 40582877, 9041720, 11925242, 12639253]. Other compounds include flavonoids (e.g., quercetin 3-β-D-glucoside), acyl flavonoids, biflavonoids, norditerpenes (harringtonolide), and diterpenes (ferruginol, sugiol) [PMID: 41614758, 25905687, 18523925, 12802733].

Mécanisme d'action

Homoharringtonine inhibits protein synthesis by acting on ribosomes, blocking cell progression from G1 to S and G2 to M phases [PMID: 8745664, 900926]. Harringtonine alkaloids inhibit FoxO1 and FoxO3a activity to suppress atrophy-related gene expression [PMID: 40582877]. Homoharringtonine also suppresses GPR68 function to attenuate cardiac inflammation and fibrosis [PMID: 38401836], inhibits the PI3K/AKT/GSK3β/Slug pathway in hepatocellular carcinoma [PMID: 33998239], and inhibits the IL-6/JAK1/STAT3 pathway in lung cancer cells [PMID: 26166037]. Harringtonolide targets RACK1 to inhibit the FAK/Src/STAT3 signaling pathway and suppress cancer cell migration [PMID: 35300090].

Preuves cliniques

Preuve CHematologic Malignancies (AML, CML, MDS)

Homoharringtonine is effective in treating acute myeloid leukemia, chronic myeloid leukemia, and myelodysplastic syndrome, though not effective for acute lymphoblastic leukemia [PMID: 8745664].

Preuve BRefractory Malignancies

A Phase I trial of homoharringtonine (0.2 to 8 mg/m2/day) identified dose-limiting toxicities including hypotension and myelosuppression [PMID: 6478448].

Sécurité et effets indésirables

Clinical use of homoharringtonine has resulted in dose-limiting toxicities, specifically hypotension (which can lead to cardiovascular collapse at higher doses) and myelosuppression [PMID: 6478448, 8745664].

Interactions médicamenteuses

Homoharringtonine has shown synergistic or additive effects in vitro when used with AraC, amsacrine, actinomycin D, and dexamethasone [PMID: 8745664].

Synthèse des preuves

The evidence consists primarily of in vitro cell line studies (D) and early-phase clinical trials or reviews (B/C) focusing on the cytotoxic effects of isolated alkaloids, particularly homoharringtonine, in cancer treatment.

Sources PubMed

1.PMID: 40582877 (2025) — Cephalotaxus harringtonia and Their Constituents Harringtonine Alkaloids Inhibit FoxO1 and 3a Activity and Atrophy-Related Gene Expression in C2C12 Myotubes. · Journal of nutritional science and vitaminology
2.PMID: 38401836 (2024) — Inhibition of G protein-coupled receptor 68 using homoharringtonine attenuates chronic kidney disease-associated cardiac impairment. · Translational research : the journal of laboratory and clinical medicine
3.PMID: 36032732 (2022) — Biosynthesis of novel metallic silvers on kraft papers using cephalotaxus harringtonia fruit extract as a sustainable stabilizing agent (KP@AgNP). · Frontiers in bioengineering and biotechnology
4.PMID: 9041720 (1997) — Ester-type cephalotaxus alkaloids from Cephalotaxus harringtonia var. drupacea. · Phytochemistry
5.PMID: 41614758 (2025)

Cephalotaxus harringtonia

Sources et citations

Calculer une dose sûre de Cephalotaxus harringtonia

Kunzea Ambigua

Ganoderma Tsugae

Ribes nigrum

Questions fréquentes

Résumé

Contexte

Usages traditionnels

Composés actifs

Mécanisme d'action

Preuves cliniques

Sécurité et effets indésirables

Interactions médicamenteuses

Synthèse des preuves

Sources PubMed

Sources gouvernementales

Cephalotaxus harringtonia

Sources et citations

Calculer une dose sûre de Cephalotaxus harringtonia

Plantes associées

Kunzea Ambigua

Ganoderma Tsugae

Ribes nigrum

Questions fréquentes

Résumé

Contexte

Usages traditionnels

Composés actifs

Mécanisme d'action

Preuves cliniques

Sécurité et effets indésirables

Interactions médicamenteuses

Synthèse des preuves

Sources PubMed

Sources gouvernementales