Brucea javanica (Brucea javanica): Benefits, Dosage, Safety & Evidence

Frequently asked questions

How does Brucea javanica work against malaria and cancer cells?

Brucea javanica contains bioactive quassinoids, particularly bruceosides and brusatol, which are responsible for its therapeutic effects. For malaria, these compounds interfere with Plasmodium parasite metabolism and disrupt mitochondrial function. For anti-tumor activity, brusatol has demonstrated the ability to inhibit the Nrf2 signaling pathway and induce apoptosis in various cancer cell lines. The quassinoids also exhibit antiamoebic and antibacterial properties, which support traditional use for dysentery. Evidence level: C (preliminary clinical and preclinical studies).

What drug interactions are associated with Brucea javanica?

Brucea javanica carries significant hepatotoxicity risk and should not be combined with other liver-affecting medications, including acetaminophen, isoniazid, or certain antifungals. Concurrent use with antimalarial drugs like chloroquine or artemisinin derivatives has not been adequately studied, so caution is warranted. Patients undergoing chemotherapy should avoid this herb without oncologist supervision, as brusatol may compound cytotoxic effects. Limited pharmacokinetic data exists for specific drug interactions. Evidence level: C.

What is the traditional dosage for Brucea javanica seeds?

Traditional Chinese Medicine prescribes 10-15 seeds of Brucea javanica (Ya Dan Zi) taken in capsule form three times daily for adults. The seeds are extremely bitter and can cause significant gastrointestinal irritation if chewed or taken raw, so encapsulation is essential. Treatment duration is typically limited to 7-10 consecutive days due to cumulative toxicity concerns. This dosage is based on traditional use rather than standardized clinical trials. Evidence level: Traditional.

Is Brucea javanica safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding?

Brucea javanica is contraindicated during pregnancy and should be strictly avoided. The quassinoid compounds, particularly brusatol, have demonstrated abortifacient properties and may stimulate uterine contractions. Preclinical studies have shown embryotoxic effects. Breastfeeding women should also avoid this herb due to insufficient safety data and potential transfer of toxic compounds through breast milk. Women of childbearing age should use reliable contraception during treatment. Evidence level: C.

What side effects can occur from taking Brucea javanica?

Common side effects include gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramping, and diarrhea, which occur due to the intensely bitter quassinoids irritating the gastric mucosa. More serious adverse effects include hepatotoxicity, which may manifest as elevated liver enzymes, jaundice, or hepatic inflammation with prolonged or excessive use. Patients with pre-existing liver disease or gastrointestinal disorders should not use this herb. Treatment should be discontinued if severe symptoms develop. Evidence level: C.

PubMed-compiled information sheet

This sheet was compiled from PubMed (NIH) abstracts using AI assistance. Every factual claim is cited to a real PubMed article (see the source list). It has not yet been human-reviewed — confirm with a healthcare provider before use.

Compiled from 30 PubMed articles · model: gemma4:31b

Summary

Brucea javanica is a medicinal plant used traditionally and clinically for its antitumor, anti-inflammatory, and antimalarial properties [PMID:35370639, 38371913].

Background

Brucea javanica (L.) Merr. is an evergreen shrub distributed widely in Southeast Asia and northern Australia [PMID:24066797].

Traditional uses

It is traditionally used in Chinese medicine for the treatment of intestinal inflammation, diarrhea, malaria, and cancer [PMID:35370639, 40487864].

Active compounds

The plant is rich in chemical constituents including quassinoids (such as Brusatol, Bruceine A, and Bruceine D), triterpenes, alkaloids, and flavonoids [PMID:21580678, 35370639, 38043386, 40494017].

Mechanism of action

Mechanisms include inhibition of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR, NF-κB, and Nrf2 signaling pathways [PMID:33858739]. Specific compounds act by inducing ROS/caspase-mediated apoptosis [PMID:38295998], inhibiting HSP90AB1 [PMID:40664262], modulating the Keap1/Nrf2/SLC7A11 pathway to induce ferroptosis [PMID:40494017], and suppressing glycolysis-driven histone lactylation via P4HA2 [PMID:41385949].

Clinical evidence

Evidence AMalignant pleural effusion (MPE)

Brucea javanica oil emulsion injection (BJOEI) combined with chemotherapy showed a higher overall efficacy rate compared to chemotherapy alone (RR = 1.45) [PMID:36188623]

Evidence DTriple-negative breast cancer (TNBC)

Exosome-like nanovesicles (BF-Exos) retarded growth and metastasis by regulating PI3K/Akt/mTOR and promoting apoptosis in 4T1 cells [PMID:38295998]; Bruceine D inhibited metastasis by inhibiting Notch1-Jagged1/NF-κB(p65) signaling [PMID:38043386]

Evidence DOsteosarcoma

Brusatol inhibited proliferation of subcutaneous cells, prevented tibial and fibular osteolysis, and prolonged survival in nude mice [PMID:40494017]

Evidence DUlcerative Colitis

Bruceine A ameliorated UC via macrophage polarization targeting HSP90-mediated IL-17 signaling and NF-κB activation [PMID:40907407]; oil emulsion (BJOE) suppressed cytosolic DNA-sensing signaling [PMID:41722122]

Evidence DHepatocellular carcinoma

Bruceine A suppressed growth by inhibiting HSP90AB1 [PMID:40664262]

Evidence D

Drug interactions

Brusatol exhibits synergistic antitumor effects when used in combination with chemotherapeutic agents [PMID:36525821].

Evidence summary

Evidence is primarily based on in vitro and in vivo animal models (Level D), with one meta-analysis of RCTs (Level A) supporting its use in malignant pleural effusion.

PubMed sources

1.PMID: 38295998 (2024) — Brucea javanica derived exosome-like nanovesicles deliver miRNAs for cancer therapy. · Journal of controlled release : official journal of the Controlled Release Society
2.PMID: 21580678 (2010) — Bruceine a. · Acta crystallographica. Section E, Structure reports online
3.PMID: 38043386 (2024) — Bruceine D suppresses CAF-promoted TNBC metastasis under TNF-α stimulation by inhibiting Notch1-Jagged1/NF-κB(p65) signaling. · Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
4.PMID: 40494017 (2025) — Brusatol induced ferroptosis in osteosarcoma cells by modulating the Keap1/Nrf2/SLC7A11 signaling pathway. · Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
5.PMID: 27041332 (2017) — Research of Brucea javanica against cancer.

Brucea javanica

Sources & Citations

Calculate a safe dose of Brucea javanica

Crossopteryx febrifuga

Nectandra rodioei

Balanites Aegyptiaca

Frequently asked questions

Summary

Background

Traditional uses

Active compounds

Mechanism of action

Clinical evidence

Drug interactions

Evidence summary

PubMed sources

Government sources

Brucea javanica

Sources & Citations

Calculate a safe dose of Brucea javanica

Related Herbs

Crossopteryx febrifuga

Nectandra rodioei

Balanites Aegyptiaca

Frequently asked questions

Summary

Background

Traditional uses

Active compounds

Mechanism of action

Clinical evidence

Drug interactions

Evidence summary

PubMed sources

Government sources