How does Celastrus orbiculatus work to reduce inflammation?

Celastrus orbiculatus contains celastrol, a bioactive compound that inhibits the NF-κB signaling pathway, a key regulator of inflammatory responses. Celastrol also suppresses pro-inflammatory cytokines including TNF-alpha and various interleukins. Research suggests these mechanisms contribute to both anti-inflammatory and potential anticancer effects. Additional compounds like wilforic acid and flavonoids may provide synergistic benefits. Evidence level: C (preliminary research and traditional use).

What medications interact with Celastrus orbiculatus?

Celastrus orbiculatus may interact with immunosuppressant medications due to its immunomodulatory effects. Combining this herb with drugs like corticosteroids, cyclosporine, or other immunosuppressants could reduce their effectiveness or cause unpredictable effects. Individuals on blood thinners should also exercise caution, as celastrol may affect platelet function. Always consult a healthcare provider before combining with prescription medications. Evidence level: C.

What is the recommended dosage for Celastrus orbiculatus tea?

The traditional adult dosage for Celastrus orbiculatus is approximately 5 grams of dried bark per cup of tea, taken twice daily. Prepare by steeping the bark in hot water for 10-15 minutes. This dosage is based on traditional Chinese medicine practice rather than clinical trials. Do not exceed recommended amounts, as higher doses may cause toxicity. Evidence level: Traditional.

Is Celastrus orbiculatus safe during pregnancy?

No, Celastrus orbiculatus is considered unsafe during pregnancy. The herb contains celastrol and other compounds that may stimulate uterine contractions or cause developmental harm. Pregnant women and those trying to conceive should avoid this herb entirely. The potential for toxicity at therapeutic doses poses additional risks during pregnancy. Breastfeeding women should also avoid this herb. Evidence level: C.

Can Celastrus orbiculatus help with arthritis and joint pain?

Celastrus orbiculatus has a long history in traditional Chinese and Korean medicine for treating arthritis and joint pain. The active compound celastrol demonstrates anti-inflammatory properties in laboratory studies by inhibiting inflammatory pathways. While traditional use strongly supports its application for joint conditions, human clinical trials remain limited. Those with autoimmune conditions should avoid use. Evidence level: C.

Celastrus orbiculatus (Celastrus orbiculatus)

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

Celastrus orbiculatus Thunb. is a traditional Chinese medicinal plant known for its anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic properties [PMID:36948266, 36179952].

Background

Also known as Nanshe Teng, oriental bittersweet vine, or climbing spindle berry, it is a plant of the Celastraceae family [PMID:36948266, 36813244]. The medicinal parts of the plant are primarily the vine, stem, and roots [PMID:36948266, 42026442].

Traditional uses

In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and Indian medicine, Celastrus species have been used for thousands of years to treat cognitive dysfunction, epilepsy, insomnia, rheumatism, gout, and dyspepsia [PMID:31129308]. It is specifically used in China for eliminating wind and dampness, activating blood circulation, detoxifying, and treating malignant tumors and rheumatoid arthritis [PMID:41651043, 36179952].

Active compounds

Active constituents include triterpenes such as betulinic acid [PMID:36813244], betulin, and celastrusin A [PMID:32779093], as well as celastrol [PMID:39161898] and pristimerin [PMID:41809458]. Other identified compounds include abietane and kaurane diterpenoids [PMID:31197550], neolignans (celastorbiol A), homoisoflavones (celastrones A and B), and 3-benzylchroman derivatives [PMID:40101119], as well as luteolin [PMID:41651043] and dihydro-β-agarofuran sesquiterpenes [PMID:35973614].

Mechanism of action

The herb exerts anti-tumor effects through multiple pathways: inhibiting the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway to suppress gastric cancer stem cell stemness [PMID:37817006, 34895128], activating Hippo signaling to inhibit YAP nuclear translocation in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) [PMID:37028249], and triggering apoptosis and autophagy via PI3K/Akt/mTOR inhibition in colorectal cancer [PMID:27895729]. It also targets the PDCD4-ATG5 signaling pathway to reverse precancerous gastric lesions [PMID:38334432] and regulates the FGF21/AMPK/PGC-1α pathway to preserve mitochondrial function in NAFLD [PMID:39161898].

Clinical evidence

Evidence DCervical Cancer

A retrospective clinical analysis indicated that Celastrus orbiculatus stem (30g/day) combined with postoperative concurrent chemoradiotherapy (weekly cisplatin) impacted recurrence [PMID:41651043]

Evidence DGastric Cancer

Ethyl acetate extract (COE) inhibits epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), metastasis, and growth of gastric cancer stem cells in preclinical models [PMID:37817006, 36179952, 34895128]

Evidence DNon-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)

Ethanol crude extracts of the stem (200 mg/kg) substantially suppressed xenograft tumor growth in mice [PMID:39215681]

Evidence DB-Lymphoma

Extracts (COE) inhibited proliferation of lymphoma cells and reduced inflammatory factors (IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α) and thrombus indexes in vivo [PMID:38782853]

Evidence DNon-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)

Extracts and celastrol mitigated NAFLD in high-fat diet guinea pigs and mice by reducing hepatic lipid levels and inhibiting oxidative stress [PMID:39161898]

Evidence D

Drug interactions

Betulinic acid from C. orbiculatus acts as a chemosensitizer of gemcitabine [PMID:36813244], and the ethyl acetate extract (COE) potentiates the sensitivity of cisplatin in gastric cancer cells [PMID:30205802].

Evidence summary

The current evidence is primarily based on in vitro cell lines and in vivo animal models (preclinical), with one retrospective clinical analysis. Most studies are experimental (Level D).

PubMed sources

1.PMID: 36948266 (2023) — The anti-tumor effects of Celastrus orbiculatus Thunb. and its monomer composition: A review. · Journal of ethnopharmacology
2.PMID: 38782853 (2024) — Celastrus orbiculatus Extract Inhibits Immune Inflammatory Thrombotic State of B-Lymphoma. · Chinese journal of integrative medicine
3.PMID: 31197550 (2019) — Cytotoxic abietane and kaurane diterpenoids from Celastrus orbiculatus. · Journal of natural medicines
4.PMID: 37817006 (2024) — Celastrus orbiculatus extract suppresses gastric cancer stem cells through the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway. · Journal of natural medicines
5.PMID: 36813244 (2023) — Betulinic acid, a major therapeutic triterpene of Celastrus orbiculatus Thunb., acts as a chemosensitizer of gemcitabine by promoting Chk1 degradation.

Celastrus orbiculatus

Sources & Citations

Dashamula Indian

Prunus avium

Kunzea Ambigua

Summary

Background

Traditional uses

Active compounds

Mechanism of action

Clinical evidence

Drug interactions

Evidence summary

PubMed sources

Government sources

Celastrus orbiculatus

Sources & Citations

Related Herbs

Dashamula Indian

Prunus avium

Kunzea Ambigua

Summary

Background

Traditional uses

Active compounds

Mechanism of action

Clinical evidence

Drug interactions

Evidence summary

PubMed sources

Government sources