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
Burdock seed (Arctium lappa) contains active compounds with anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor properties [PMID:20981575], specifically the lignan arctigenin which exerts pharmacological effects on the central nervous system [PMID:37236381].
Background
Arctium lappa, commonly known as burdock, is a biennial herb of the Asteraceae family distributed across Northern Asia, Europe, and North America [PMID:36516694, PMID:36759759].
Traditional uses
The seeds (Niu Bang Zi) are recorded in traditional Chinese medicine books and are traditionally used to dispel wind-heat, ventilate the lung to promote eruption, remove toxicity substances, and relieve sore throat [PMID:36759759, PMID:36781057].
Active compounds
The seeds primarily contain lignans, fatty acids, and sterols [PMID:38589624]. A major active ingredient in mature seeds is the phenylpropanoid lignan arctigenin [PMID:37236381, PMID:39396403].
Mechanism of action
Arctigenin from the seeds modulates GPR/HDAC3 and TLR4/NF-κB pathways to ameliorate metabolic disorders [PMID:39396403] and exerts pharmacological actions on the central nervous system [PMID:37236381].
Clinical evidence
Evidence CTumors (e.g., pancreatic carcinoma)
Active compounds in the seeds possess potent inhibitory effects on the growth of tumors [PMID:20981575]
Evidence CNeurological Disorders (Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Epilepsy, Glioma)
Arctigenin from mature seeds has demonstrated therapeutic effects on various CNS diseases [PMID:37236381]
Evidence CInflammation
Active compounds in the seeds possess anti-inflammatory effects [PMID:20981575]
Evidence summary
Evidence for burdock seed is primarily based on reviews and preclinical studies (in vitro and in vivo), with a focus on the bioactive compound arctigenin. There is a lack of human clinical trial data specifically for the seeds in the provided abstracts.
PubMed sources
- 1.PMID: 20981575 (2011) — A review of the pharmacological effects of Arctium lappa (burdock). · Inflammopharmacology
- 2.PMID: 39396403 (2024) — Arctigenin ameliorates high-fat diet-induced metabolic disorders by reshaping gut microbiota and modulating GPR/HDAC3 and TLR4/NF-κB pathways. · Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
- 3.PMID: 36516694 (2023) — Arctium lappa (Burdock): Insights from ethnopharmacology potential, chemical constituents, clinical studies, pharmacological utility and nanomedicine. · Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie
- 4.PMID: 36759759 (2023) — The burdock database: a multi-omic database for Arctium lappa, a food and medicinal plant. · BMC plant biology
- 5.PMID: 37236381 (2023) — Effect of arctigenin on neurological diseases: A review.