Bryonia dioica (Bryonia cretica): Benefits, Dosage, Safety & Evidence

Frequently asked questions

How does Bryonia dioica work to reduce inflammation?

Bryonia dioica contains active compounds called cucurbitacins and bryonin, which are believed to exert anti-inflammatory effects. Research suggests these constituents may inhibit inflammatory mediators and prostaglandin synthesis, though specific mechanisms are not fully established in human trials (Evidence Level C). Traditionally, these properties explain its historical use in treating arthritis and pleurisy. However, because the raw plant is highly toxic, detailed pharmacokinetic studies are limited, and the mechanism is largely inferred from in vitro research.

Does Bryonia dioica interact with any medications?

There is limited clinical documentation regarding specific drug interactions for Bryonia dioica (Evidence Level D). Because the raw plant acts as a potent gastrointestinal irritant, it should strictly not be combined with laxatives or medications that affect the stomach lining. While homeopathic dilutions are generally considered unlikely to cause pharmacological interactions, the crude herb's severe toxicity poses significant risks. Patients should consult a healthcare provider before combining it with other treatments.

What is the safe dosage for Bryonia dioica?

The only recommended dosage for Bryonia dioica is in the form of homeopathic preparations (Evidence Level C). The raw plant is extremely toxic and has no safe therapeutic dosage for self-administration. In homeopathic practice, potencies such as 6C or 30C are commonly used for conditions like arthritis. Attempting to prepare a dosage from the raw root or leaves is dangerous and can result in fatal poisoning due to the presence of toxic cucurbitacins.

Is Bryonia dioica safe to take during pregnancy?

No, Bryonia dioica is considered unsafe during pregnancy. The plant contains toxic cucurbitacins that can act as uterine stimulants, potentially leading to miscarriage or premature labor (Evidence Level C). Additionally, the severe gastrointestinal irritation caused by the plant poses a significant health risk to both the mother and the fetus. Medical herbalists and health authorities strictly contraindicate the use of this herb during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

What are the side effects of taking Bryonia?

The raw Bryonia plant causes severe side effects, including violent vomiting, severe diarrhea, and intense gastrointestinal pain (Evidence Level C). Ingestion of the fresh root or berries can lead to fatal poisoning due to the high concentration of toxic cucurbitacins. Other symptoms may include kidney damage, rapid pulse, and convulsions. For this reason, the herb is restricted to homeopathic preparations, which are diluted enough to generally avoid these toxic effects.

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

Bryonia dioica (white/red bryony) is a climbing perennial herb with tuberous roots used in traditional medicine, particularly in Algeria, for the treatment of cancer [PMID: 22465729, 31115513].

Background

Bryonia dioica is a dioecious climbing perennial herb belonging to the Cucurbitaceae family, characterized by tuberous roots and touch-sensitive tendrils [PMID: 22465729, 15002418, 19120821].

Traditional uses

It is widely used in traditional medicine in Algeria for the treatment of cancers [PMID: 22465729, 31115513, 38615699] and is cited as a plant used for cancer treatment in the Greater Casablanca-Morocco region [PMID: 31687035].

Active compounds

Identified compounds include cucurbitacins (L, J, K, and tetrahydrocucurbitacin I) [PMID: 14344155], isocucurbitacin D [PMID: 35324709], cycloartane triterpenoids (3beta-hydroxy-27-norcycloartan-24-one) [PMID: 11711095], a ribosome-inactivating protein called bryodin [PMID: 3827858], trypsin inhibitors [PMID: 3435645, 3450102], and N4-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-L-asparagine [PMID: 13894333].

Mechanism of action

Bryodin acts as a ribosome-inactivating protein that inhibits protein synthesis by inactivating ribosomes [PMID: 3827858, 2248976]. Aqueous extracts have been shown to induce apoptosis via the mitochondrial intrinsic pathway in BL41 Burkitt's lymphoma cells [PMID: 22465729] and induce G2/M cell cycle arrest in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells [PMID: 31115513]. Methanolic extracts inhibit tumor growth in vivo by decreasing the regulation of complex FAK, Src, ERK, p130Cas, and paxillin [PMID: 31460802]. Isocucurbitacin D exhibits cytotoxic effects by disrupting the target protein cofilin [PMID: 35324709].

Clinical evidence

Evidence DMelanoma (B16F10)

Methanolic root extract inhibited tumor weight by 65.03% in mice over 28 days [PMID: 31460802].

Evidence DBurkitt's lymphoma (BL41)

Aqueous extract induced apoptosis through the mitochondrial intrinsic pathway in vitro [PMID: 22465729].

Evidence DBreast cancer (MDA-MB-231)

Aqueous extract induced cell death and G2/M cell cycle arrest in vitro [PMID: 31115513].

Safety & adverse effects

The plant contains toxic proteins; specifically, brydiofin isolated from fruits was found to be strongly toxic, causing death in mice within eighteen minutes after intraperitoneal injection [PMID: 1567385].

Evidence summary

The evidence consists primarily of in vitro cell line studies and animal models (mice/eggs) demonstrating cytotoxic and antitumor activity; there are no human clinical trials provided.

PubMed sources

1.PMID: 25797117 (2015) — Substitution between Aristolochia and Bryonia genus in North-Eastern Morocco: toxicological implications. · Journal of ethnopharmacology
2.PMID: 3827858 (1986) — Bryodin, a ribosome-inactivating protein from the roots of Bryonia dioica L. (white bryony). · The Biochemical journal
3.PMID: 3435645 (1987) — Amino-acid sequences of trypsin inhibitors from watermelon (Citrullus vulgaris) and red bryony (Bryonia dioica) seeds. · Biological chemistry Hoppe-Seyler
4.PMID: 40558881 (2025) — Enhancing Bioavailability and Stability of Plant Secondary Metabolites: Formulation and Characterization of Nanophytosomes Encapsulating Red Bryony and Horned Poppy Extracts. · Journal of functional biomaterials
5.PMID: 22465729 (2012) — Bryonia dioica aqueous extract induces apoptosis through mitochondrial intrinsic pathway in BL41 Burkitt's lymphoma cells.

Bryonia dioica

Sources & Citations

Calculate a safe dose of Bryonia dioica