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Crinum asiaticum
Crinum asiaticum
Traditional South and Southeast Asian medicine for wounds and pain
How does Crinum asiaticum work to reduce inflammation and pain?
Crinum asiaticum exerts its medicinal effects primarily through bioactive alkaloids, specifically lycorine and crinamine. These compounds demonstrate anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity by inhibiting the production of inflammatory cytokines and mediators in the body. Research indicates that lycorine also possesses antiviral properties by interfering with viral replication cycles. While these mechanisms are observed in preclinical studies (Evidence Level C), they scientifically validate the plant's traditional use for treating infections, swelling, and pain.
Does Crinum asiaticum interact with blood pressure medications?
While specific clinical drug interaction trials are lacking (Evidence Level C), Crinum asiaticum poses theoretical risks regarding drug interactions. The herb contains alkaloids that may lower blood pressure, potentially enhancing the effects of antihypertensive medications and causing hypotension. Furthermore, due to the potential for central nervous system effects and toxicity, it should not be combined with sedatives or other neuroactive drugs without medical supervision. Patients on prescription medications should consult a healthcare provider before use.
What is the recommended dosage for Crinum asiaticum leaf tea?
The standard adult dosage for Crinum asiaticum leaf tea is 3 to 5 grams of dried leaf per cup, prepared as an infusion and taken twice daily. For external wound care, fresh leaves can be crushed and applied topically as a poultice. Internal ingestion of the bulb is strictly contraindicated due to high toxicity. These recommendations are based on traditional usage patterns, as clinical trials establishing standardized dosing are currently limited (Evidence Level C).
Is Crinum asiaticum safe to use during pregnancy?
No, Crinum asiaticum is considered unsafe during pregnancy and breastfeeding. The plant contains toxic alkaloids, including lycorine, which can cause severe side effects such as nausea, vomiting, and hypotension. More critically, these compounds may stimulate uterine contractions or cause fetal toxicity. Consequently, pregnant women and children should avoid all forms of this herb. This safety warning is based on the known pharmacology of its alkaloid constituents and traditional contraindications.
What are the side effects of taking Crinum asiaticum?
Common side effects of internal Crinum asiaticum use include nausea, vomiting, and dizziness, often resulting from the plant's alkaloid content. In susceptible individuals, ingestion may lead to hypotension (low blood pressure). The bulb is particularly toxic and can cause severe poisoning if ingested internally. Due to these potential adverse effects and limited clinical safety data (Evidence Level C), usage should be strictly limited to recommended dosages and supervised by a qualified practitioner.
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
Crinum asiaticum is a perennial bulbous herb used in traditional medicine for its anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antimicrobial properties [PMID:38318065, 37593159].
Background
Crinum asiaticum (family Amaryllidaceae) is a perennial bulbous plant distributed in warmer regions, including Asia, Africa, and the Indian Ocean Islands [PMID:31527550, 37346329]. It is utilized both for its medicinal properties and as an ornamental plant [PMID:38318065, 41284967].
Traditional uses
In Thai traditional medicine, it is used to treat osteoarthritis and inflammation [PMID:37593159, 33574885]. In Korea and Malaysia, it has been used as a rheumatic remedy, anti-pyretic, anti-ulcer treatment, and for the alleviation of local pain and fever [PMID:18841306]. In Ghana, it is traditionally used for wound healing and upper respiratory tract infections [PMID:37346329].
Active compounds
The plant contains Amaryllidaceae alkaloids, including lycorine, crinamine, norgalanthamine, and various new alkaloids such as crijaponine A and B [PMID:30963375, 18841306, 34915776]. Other identified compounds include polysaccharides (CAL-n), flavonoids, flavanols, and betulin [PMID:31889799, 31889798, 37346329, 34474490].
Mechanism of action
Anti-inflammatory effects are mediated through the inhibition of iNOS, PGE2, IL-6, and IL-8 [PMID:18841306], as well as the inhibition of NF-κB activation and p65 subunit phosphorylation [PMID:34474490]. Antipsychotic-like effects in animal models suggest potential antagonistic interaction with the dopamine D2 receptor and impact on glutamatergic signaling [PMID:39428354]. Some alkaloids exhibit acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition [PMID:37889019, 41284967].
Clinical evidence
Evidence DPsychosis (Animal Model)
Ethanolic extracts significantly reduced ketamine-induced hyperactivity and amphetamine-induced stereotypy [PMID:39428354]
Evidence DObesity (Animal Model)
Extracts suppressed body weight gain and epididymal fat accumulation in high-fat diet-induced and monogenic obese mice by downregulating PPARγ, C/EBPα, C/EBPβ, and aP2 [PMID:27470336]
Evidence DPulmonary Fibrosis (Animal Model)
Bulb extracts attenuated pulmonary fibrosis by downregulating pro-fibrotic and pro-inflammatory cytokines in bleomycin-induced mice [PMID:37346329]
Evidence DHepatotoxicity (Animal Model)
Norgalanthamine reversed increases in serum ALT, AST, and total bilirubin in CCl4-induced liver injury in mice [PMID:34915776]
Evidence DCancer (In Vitro)
Crinamine induced apoptosis and inhibited proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis in cervical cancer SiHa cells [PMID:31527550]; CAL-n affected the growth of HepG2 cells [PMID:31889799].
Evidence D
Safety & adverse effects
Certain isolated alkaloids (compounds 39, 21, 22, and 35) demonstrated cytotoxic effects on cells despite their nitric oxide inhibitory activity [PMID:39756558].
Evidence summary
The current evidence is primarily based on in vitro cell assays and in vivo animal models (Level D). There are no human clinical trials provided in the source abstracts.
PubMed sources
1.PMID: 39428354 (2024) — Antipsychotic Activity of Ethanolic Extracts of Crinum asiaticum and Crinum defixum in Animal Models. · Zhongguo ying yong sheng li xue za zhi = Zhongguo yingyong shenglixue zazhi = Chinese journal of applied physiology
2.PMID: 30963375 (2019) — Two new alkaloids from Crinum asiaticum var. japonicum. · Journal of natural medicines
3.PMID: 27558679 (2017) — Heterocyclic Amaryllidaceae Alkaloids: Biosynthesis and Pharmacological Applications. · Current topics in medicinal chemistry
4.PMID: 31889799 (2019) — Efficient polysaccharides from Crinum asiaticum L.'s structural characterization and anti-tumor effect. · Saudi journal of biological sciences
5.PMID: 37593159 (2023) — Formulation design and physicochemical evaluation of an anti-inflammatory hydrogel patch containing Crinum asiaticum L. extract.
Government sources
No direct government monograph is available for this herb. The content below is AI-generated and has not been verified against an authoritative government source. Use the search links to check official sources before relying on this information.
Bulb fractions showed potent activity against non-pathogenic Mycobacterium smegmatis and Mycobacterium aurum [PMID:38918410]
· Research in pharmaceutical sciences
6.PMID: 18841306 (2008) — Anti-inflammatory activity of Crinum asiaticum Linne var. japonicum extract and its application as a cosmeceutical ingredient. · Journal of cosmetic science
7.PMID: 37889019 (2024) — Acetylcholinesterase inhibition studies of alkaloid components from Crinum asiaticum var. sinicum: in vitro assessments by molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations. · Journal of Asian natural products research
8.PMID: 39756558 (2025) — Amaryllidaceae alkaloids with nitric oxide inhibitory activity from the leaves of Crinum asiaticum L. var. asiaticum. · Phytochemistry
9.PMID: 38318065 (2024) — Isolation of bioactive phytochemicals from Crinum asiaticum L. along with their cytotoxic and TRAIL-resistance abrogating prospect assessment. · Heliyon
10.PMID: 41284967 (2025) — Phytochemical investigation of Crinum asiaticum L.: isolation and characterisation of a new dimeric alkaloid and evaluation of acetylcholinesterase inhibition with molecular docking. · Natural product research
11.PMID: 27470336 (2016) — Anti-obesity effect of Crinum asiaticum var. japonicum Baker extract in high-fat diet-induced and monogenic obese mice. · Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie
12.PMID: 37346329 (2023) — Betulin and Crinum asiaticum L. bulbs extract attenuate pulmonary fibrosis by down regulating pro-fibrotic and pro-inflammatory cytokines in bleomycin-induced fibrosis mice model. · Heliyon
13.PMID: 34915776 (2023) — Hepatoprotective effects of norgalanthamine on carbon tetrachloride induced-hepatotoxicity in mice. · Drug and chemical toxicology
14.PMID: 34474490 (2022) — Flavanols and Flavanes from Crinum asiaticum and Their Effects on LPS Signaling Pathway Through the Inhibition of NF-κB Activation. · Planta medica
15.PMID: 32038774 (2008) — The Effects of Crinum asiaticum on the Apoptosis Induction and the Reversal of Multidrug Resistance in HL-60/MX2. · Toxicological research
16.PMID: 31527550 (2019) — Crinamine Induces Apoptosis and Inhibits Proliferation, Migration, and Angiogenesis in Cervical Cancer SiHa Cells. · Biomolecules
17.PMID: 19842135 (2009) — Chemical constituents of Crinum asiaticum L. var. sinicum Baker and their cytotoxic activities. · Chemistry & biodiversity
18.PMID: 23961122 (2011) — Protection of human erythrocyte using Crinum asiaticum extract and lycorine from oxidative damage induced by 2-amidinopropane. · Saudi journal of biological sciences
19.PMID: 38918410 (2024) — Investigation of the antimycobacterial activity of African medicinal plants combined with chemometric analysis to identify potential leads. · Scientific reports
20.PMID: 33574885 (2021) — Effects of Various Preextraction Treatments of Crinum asiaticum Leaf on Its Anti-Inflammatory Activity and Chemical Properties. · Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM
21.PMID: 31889798 (2019) — Response surface method was used to optimize the ultrasonic assisted extraction of flavonoids from Crinum asiaticum. · Saudi journal of biological sciences