Cay Xao Tam Phan (Paramignya trimera): Benefits, Dosage, Safety & Evidence

Frequently asked questions

How does Cay Xao Tam Phan work to protect the liver?

Cay Xao Tam Phan contains flavonoids, coumarins, and terpenoids that exhibit hepatoprotective properties through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms. These active compounds help neutralize free radicals, reduce oxidative stress on hepatocytes, and may modulate inflammatory pathways involved in liver damage. The herb's alkaloids may also support liver cell regeneration and improve liver enzyme profiles. Evidence Level: C (preliminary in vitro and animal studies).

Does Cay Xao Tam Phan interact with any medications?

Limited clinical data exists on drug interactions for Cay Xao Tam Phan. Due to its hepatoprotective and metabolic effects, it may theoretically interact with hepatotoxic medications, chemotherapy agents, immunosuppressants, or drugs metabolized by the liver. Patients taking prescription medications, particularly for liver conditions or cancer treatment, should consult a qualified healthcare provider before combining with this herb. Evidence Level: C (theoretical based on pharmacological properties).

What is the recommended dosage of Cay Xao Tam Phan bark?

The traditional adult dosage of Cay Xao Tam Phan is 6-15 grams of dried bark prepared as a tea or decoction daily. This amount may be divided into 2-3 doses throughout the day. Preparation typically involves simmering the bark in water for 15-20 minutes. Dosage should be individualized based on health status and supervised by a qualified healthcare practitioner. Evidence Level: Traditional use.

Is Cay Xao Tam Phan safe to use during pregnancy?

Cay Xao Tam Phan is contraindicated during pregnancy and should not be used by pregnant women. The herb contains bioactive compounds including alkaloids and coumarins that may affect fetal development or stimulate uterine contractions. Women who are breastfeeding should also avoid this herb due to insufficient safety data. Evidence Level: C (traditional contraindication, insufficient human safety data).

What conditions is Cay Xao Tam Phan traditionally used to treat?

Cay Xao Tam Phan (Paramignya trimera) is traditionally used in Vietnamese medicine for liver conditions including hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, and as an adjunct support in liver cancer care. It is also used for immune system support and general hepatoprotection. The bark is the primary medicinal part used, prepared as a tea or decoction. Evidence Level: C (traditional use with preliminary pharmacological research).

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 26 PubMed articles · model: gemma4:31b

Summary

Cay Xao Tam Phan (Paramignya trimera) is a Vietnamese medicinal plant used traditionally to treat liver diseases and cancer [PMID:28245363, PMID:33303786].

Background

Paramignya trimera (Oliv.) Burkill is a species of the genus Paramignya (Rutaceae) found primarily in the Khanh Hoa and Lam Dong provinces of Vietnam [PMID:33303786].

Traditional uses

It is used as a traditional medicine in Vietnam for the treatment of cancer, cancer-like ailments, and liver diseases such as viral hepatitis and acute and chronic cirrhosis [PMID:28122160, PMID:28245363, PMID:38866495].

Active compounds

Identified compounds include coumarins (such as ostruthin, 8-geranylumbelliferone, and paratrimerins A-Z) [PMID:28245363, PMID:34411570, PMID:36008765], acridone alkaloids (paratrimerin I) [PMID:32496136], saponins, phenolics, flavonoids, and proanthocyanidins [PMID:28029227], and triterpenoids (paramignyene) [PMID:39937167].

Mechanism of action

Compounds such as 8-geranylumbelliferone and ostruthin target IKKβ upon TNFR1 ligation, inhibiting TNF-induced IKK phosphorylation and facilitating RIPK1-dependent apoptosis and necroptosis [PMID:34411570]. In silico studies suggest potential targets for lung cancer include PIK3CA, AKT1, MAPK3, MAPK1, TP53, and RELA [PMID:40547649].

Clinical evidence

Evidence DBreast Cancer (MCF-7)

Paratrimerin I showed submicromolar cytotoxicity (IC50 0.26 µM) [PMID:32496136]; methanol root extract demonstrated toxicity in 3D multicellular tumor spheres [PMID:29687285].

Evidence DPancreatic Cancer

Root extract (100-200 µg/ml) showed significantly higher cytotoxic potential than its fractions [PMID:28029227] and impressive cytotoxic capacity against BxPc3 and CFPAC1 cell lines [PMID:30880785].

Evidence DHepatocellular Carcinoma (HepG2/Hep3B)

Paratrimerin I showed submicromolar cytotoxicity against HepG2 (IC50 0.43 µM) [PMID:32496136], while paratrimerin Z did not show cytotoxicity against Hep3B [PMID:36008765].

Evidence DInflammation

Isolated compounds from stems inhibited nitrite and PGE2 concentrations and suppressed iNOS and COX-2 protein expression in LPS-stimulated BV2 cells [PMID:28245363].

Evidence DBacterial Infections

Leaf essential oils inhibited Staphylococcus aureus (MIC 2% v/v) [PMID:32344551], and peel extracts showed antibacterial activity against P. aeruginosa, Salmonella sp., and S. aureus [PMID:34513112].

Safety & adverse effects

Leaf essential oils showed no cytotoxicity on normal cells (MT-4, BHK-21, MDBK, and Vero-76) [PMID:32344551].

Evidence summary

The current evidence is limited to in vitro cell culture studies, in silico modeling, and animal models (rats). There are no human clinical trials provided in the abstracts.

PubMed sources

1.PMID: 28245363 (2017) — Anti-inflammatory coumarins from Paramignya trimera. · Pharmaceutical biology
2.PMID: 29687285 (2020) — Anti-cancer Effect of Xao Tam Phan Paramignya trimera Methanol Root Extract on Human Breast Cancer Cell Line MCF-7 in 3D Model. · Advances in experimental medicine and biology
3.PMID: 33303786 (2020) — Phylogenetic relationship of Paramignya trimera and its relatives: an evidence for the wide sexual compatibility. · Scientific reports
4.PMID: 28029227 (2017) — Physicochemical, Antioxidant, and Cytotoxic Properties of Xao Tam Phan (Paramignya trimera) Root Extract and Its Fractions. · Chemistry & biodiversity
5.PMID: 28122160 (2017) — Physicochemical Properties, Antioxidant and Anti-proliferative Capacities of Dried Leaf and Its Extract from Xao tam phan (Paramignya trimera).

Cay Xao Tam Phan

Sources & Citations

Calculate a safe dose of Cay Xao Tam Phan

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Frequently asked questions

Summary

Background

Traditional uses

Active compounds

Mechanism of action

Clinical evidence

Safety & adverse effects

Evidence summary

PubMed sources

Government sources

Cay Xao Tam Phan

Sources & Citations

Calculate a safe dose of Cay Xao Tam Phan

Related Herbs

Bai Hua She She Cao

Ligustrum japonicum

Sparassis Radicata

Frequently asked questions

Summary

Background

Traditional uses

Active compounds

Mechanism of action

Clinical evidence

Safety & adverse effects

Evidence summary

PubMed sources

Government sources