Fritillaria imperialis (Fritillaria imperialis): Benefits, Dosage, Safety & Evidence

Questions fréquentes

How does Fritillaria imperialis work in the body?

Fritillaria imperialis contains steroidal alkaloids, primarily imperialine, along with saponins and tulipalin. These compounds exhibit anti-inflammatory and antipyretic properties by modulating inflammatory pathways in the body. Imperialine has demonstrated effects on cardiac function in preliminary research, which supports its traditional use for heart conditions. The saponins contribute additional therapeutic effects. Evidence level: C (preliminary research and traditional use).

Does Fritillaria imperialis interact with any medications?

Fritillaria imperialis may interact with cardiac medications, including heart rhythm drugs, diuretics, and blood pressure medications, due to its imperialine content and effects on cardiac function. The alkaloids could potentially interfere with CNS-active medications. Limited clinical interaction data exists, so patients taking prescription medications should consult a healthcare provider before use. Evidence level: C (theoretical based on constituent profile).

What is the safe dosage for Fritillaria imperialis tea?

Traditional preparations use 1-2 grams of dried bulb per cup of tea, taken twice daily. However, dosage requires extreme caution due to toxic alkaloids present in the plant. The margin between therapeutic and toxic doses is narrow. Self-medication is not recommended without guidance from a qualified herbalist. Start with lower doses to assess individual tolerance. Evidence level: C (traditional use).

Is Fritillaria imperialis safe during pregnancy?

Fritillaria imperialis is contraindicated during pregnancy and breastfeeding. The steroidal alkaloids, including imperialine, may stimulate uterine contractions and pose risks to fetal development. Traditional Persian medicine sources and modern constituent analysis both support avoiding this herb during pregnancy. Women who are pregnant, nursing, or trying to conceive should not use this herb. Evidence level: C (traditional contraindication).

What are the side effects of Fritillaria imperialis?

Common side effects include nausea and gastrointestinal upset, especially at higher doses. The primary concern is alkaloid toxicity, which can cause dizziness, heart rhythm disturbances, and respiratory problems at toxic doses. Large doses are dangerous due to the narrow therapeutic window. Children should not use this herb. Discontinue immediately if adverse symptoms develop. Evidence level: C (traditional safety data).

What is Fritillaria imperialis used for traditionally?

Fritillaria imperialis has been used in Persian and Turkish traditional medicine primarily for fever reduction and pain relief. Middle Eastern folk medicine and Ayurvedic traditions also employ it for cardiac support and as an anti-inflammatory agent. The plant's antipyretic and anti-inflammatory properties are attributed to its steroidal alkaloid content. Modern clinical evidence remains limited. Evidence level: C (traditional use with preliminary research).

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 27 articles PubMed · modèle : gemma4:31b

Résumé

Fritillaria imperialis, also known as crown imperial, is a bulbous plant with significant ornamental and medicinal value [PMID:36604620]. It is rich in steroidal alkaloids and has been used in traditional medicine [PMID:30248489].

Contexte

Fritillaria imperialis is a spring-flowering bulbous plant found in various regions including Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and the Himalayas [PMID:42226162, PMID:27065873]. It is characterized by a giant genome [PMID:37299136, PMID:25230921] and is considered a threatened or endangered species in some wild populations [PMID:36604620, PMID:19086554].

Usages traditionnels

In Iranian traditional medicine, it is utilized to treat back pain, chronic daily headaches, and joint pain [PMID:39613005].

Composés actifs

The plant is rich in steroidal alkaloids (SA) [PMID:30248489], including cevanine alkaloids such as impericine, forticine, delavine, persicanidine A, and imperialine [PMID:12192128], as well as impranine, dihydroimpranine, fetisinine, and korsevine [PMID:12657306]. Other identified compounds include the steroidal alkaloid verticinone [PMID:31867414], the alkaloid ebeinone [PMID:9042388], and the diterpene isopimara-7,15-dien-19-oic acid [PMID:15700640]. The characteristic foxy odor of some cultivars is caused by 3-methyl-2-butene-1-thiol [PMID:16819920].

Mécanisme d'action

Steroidal bases from the bulbs exhibit anti-acetylcholinesterase and anti-butyrylcholinesterase inhibitory activity [PMID:12192128]. Ebeinone acts as an antagonist at muscarinic acetylcholine receptors, showing a higher affinity for M2 receptors than M3 receptors [PMID:9042388]. Peiminine exhibits anti-inflammatory properties [PMID:37855980]. Isopimara-7,15-dien-19-oic acid has shown prolyl endopeptidase inhibitory activity [PMID:15700640] and can simultaneously induce apoptosis and promote cell survival by regulating pro- and anti-apoptotic genes and up-regulating anti-oxidant genes such as thioredoxin and glutathione [PMID:27065873].

Preuves cliniques

Preuve DUlcerative Colitis (Animal Model)

Peiminine derived from F. imperialis exhibited anti-inflammatory effects in an acetic acid-induced ulcerative colitis model in mice [PMID:37855980]

Preuve DPain and Migraine (Animal Model)

Fritillaria imperialis bulbs essential oil (FIEO) and its constituent Verticinone demonstrated significant antinociceptive activity in formalin-induced tests, as well as anti-neuropathic and anti-migraine-like activities in rats [PMID:39613005]

Preuve DCancer (In Vitro)

Aqueous and ethanolic extracts showed cytotoxic, cytostatic, and pro-apoptotic activities against human liver cancer (LCL-PI 11) and breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7) cells [PMID:28783582]. Isopimara-7,15-dien-19-oic acid induced apoptosis in HeLa cervical cancer cells [PMID:27065873]

Preuve DDiabetes (In Vitro)

Verticinone demonstrated possible hypoglycemic potential in pancreatic and skeletal muscle cells, although high concentrations were associated with elevated advanced glycation end products (AGEs) [PMID:31867414]

Synthèse des preuves

The current evidence is primarily based on in vitro studies and animal models (Level D), focusing on the pharmacological activities of isolated alkaloids and extracts. There are no human clinical trials or systematic reviews provided.

Sources PubMed

1.PMID: 36604620 (2023) — Morphological variability of wild-growing crown imperial (Fritillaria imperialis L.) germplasm in central region of Iran-implications for in-situ conservation initiatives. · BMC plant biology
2.PMID: 34779986 (2022) — Identification and profiling of conserved microRNAs in different developmental stages of crown imperial (Fritillaria imperialis L.) using high-throughput sequencing. · Molecular biology reports
3.PMID: 42226162 (2026) — Growth and biochemical responses of crown imperial (Fritillaria imperialis L.) to bulb size and potassium nitrate (KNO3) treatment. · BMC plant biology
4.PMID: 16819920 (2006) — Identification of the volatile component(s) causing the characteristic foxy odor in various cultivars of Fritillaria imperialis L. (Liliaceae). · Journal of agricultural and food chemistry
5.PMID: 12192128 (2002)

Fritillaria imperialis

Sources et citations

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