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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 29 PubMed articles · model: gemma4:31b
Summary
Sambucus nigra (black elder) is a traditional medicinal plant used worldwide, particularly for treating viral infections and inflammation [PMID:28198157, PMID:38675372].
Background
Sambucus nigra L., also known as black elder or European elder, is a shrub of European origin [PMID:34648899, PMID:39534534].
Traditional uses
Flowers and berries have been used in folk medicine to treat fever, coughing, nasal congestion, influenza, and as anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and diuretic agents [PMID:34648899]. In Poland, elder flower has been used in antipyretic preparations for upper respiratory tract infections in children [PMID:27162290].
Active compounds
Elderflowers contain a rich polyphenolic profile including flavonoids (rutin, quercetin, naringenin, kaempferol, apigenin), phenolic acids (chlorogenic acid, p-coumaric, protocatechuic, and gallic acids), and acyl spermidines [PMID:23406267, PMID:28282861, PMID:41683541, PMID:41828765]. Essential oils from dry flowers contain various volatiles, including new natural esters of isosenecioic acid [PMID:37759401].
Mechanism of action
Elder extracts may inhibit nitric oxide (NO) production in macrophages and dendritic cells [PMID:28282861]. They have been shown to induce ATP binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) expression, which reduces cholesteryl ester accumulation in foam cells [PMID:38347122]. Pectic polysaccharides from elderflowers may act as immunomodulators [PMID:27475233].
Clinical evidence
Evidence DInflammation
Flower extracts demonstrated anti-inflammatory activity in vivo, though fruit extracts showed more pronounced dose-dependent reduction of granuloma weight in rats [PMID:38675372].
Evidence DInflammation (Mice)
Lyophilized aqueous extract of flowers reduced leukocyte influx and chemical mediator secretion in a carrageenan-induced inflammation model in mice [PMID:34648899].
Evidence CViral Infections/Influenza
Elderberry and related products have demonstrated antiviral and antimicrobial properties, though a deficit of studies comparing them to standard medications exists [PMID:28198157].
Evidence DAtherosclerosis
Aqueous elder extracts (flower and berry) counteract foam cell formation by enhancing macrophage cholesterol efflux [PMID:38347122].
Safety & adverse effects
The US FDA recognizes black elder as generally recognized as safe [PMID:28198157]. Allergic reactions to elderberry preparations have been reported rarely [PMID:30000895]. The bark, leaves, and root contain sambunigrin, which is potentially toxic due to the release of cyanide [PMID:30000895].
Pregnancy & lactation
No data exist on the excretion of elderberry components into breastmilk or on the safety and efficacy of elderberry in nursing mothers or infants [PMID:30000895].
Evidence summary
The evidence consists primarily of in vitro and in vivo animal studies (Level D) and literature reviews (Level C). While phytochemical profiles are well-documented, high-quality human clinical trials are lacking.
PubMed sources
1.PMID: 30000895 (2006) — Elderberries-A Source of Bioactive Compounds with Antiviral Action. · Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
2.PMID: 37759401 (2024) — New esters from the essential oil of dry flowers of elder (Sambucus nigra L.). · Journal of the science of food and agriculture
3.PMID: 28198157 (2017) — A Review of the Antiviral Properties of Black Elder (Sambucus nigra L.) Products. · Phytotherapy research : PTR
4.PMID: 23406267 (2013) — Acyl spermidines in inflorescence extracts of elder (Sambucus nigra L., Adoxaceae) and elderflower drinks. · Journal of agricultural and food chemistry
5.PMID: 39534534 (2024) — The genome sequence of black elder, Sambucus nigra Linnaeus, 1753 (Adoxaceae).
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.
6.PMID: 35215351 (2022) — Black Elder and Its Constituents: Molecular Mechanisms of Action Associated with Female Reproduction. · Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)
7.PMID: 24409980 (2014) — An evidence-based systematic review of elderberry and elderflower (Sambucus nigra) by the Natural Standard Research Collaboration. · Journal of dietary supplements
8.PMID: 36903609 (2023) — The Effect of the Plant Stabilisation Method on the Composition and Antioxidant Properties of Elderflower (Sambucus nigra L.) Extract. · Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
9.PMID: 25646848 (2015) — Traditional elderflower beverages: a rich source of phenolic compounds with high antioxidant activity. · Journal of agricultural and food chemistry
11.PMID: 38675372 (2024) — In Vivo Anti-Inflammatory and Antinociceptive Activities of Black Elder (Sambucus nigra L.) Fruit and Flower Extracts. · Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)
12.PMID: 25647575 (2015) — Elderberries: a source of ribosome-inactivating proteins with lectin activity. · Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
13.PMID: 39519986 (2024) — From Supernatural to Ornamental: Black Elder (Sambucus nigra L., Family Adoxaceae) in Sweden. · Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
14.PMID: 34648899 (2022) — Sambucus nigra: A traditional medicine effective in reducing inflammation in mice. · Journal of ethnopharmacology
16.PMID: 28372174 (2017) — Unveiling elderflowers (Sambucus nigra L.) volatile terpenic and norisoprenoids profile: Effects of different postharvest conditions. · Food chemistry
17.PMID: 34505534 (2021) — Ovarian steroid hormone secretion by human granulosa cells after supplementation of sambucus nigra l. extract. · Physiological research
18.PMID: 24408862 (2014) — Identification and anti-oxidant capacity determination of phenolics and their glycosides in elderflower by on-line HPLC-CUPRAC method. · Phytochemical analysis : PCA
19.PMID: 28282861 (2017) — Elderberry and Elderflower Extracts, Phenolic Compounds, and Metabolites and Their Effect on Complement, RAW 264.7 Macrophages and Dendritic Cells. · International journal of molecular sciences
20.PMID: 27475233 (2016) — RG-I regions from elderflower pectins substituted on GalA are strong immunomodulators. · International journal of biological macromolecules
21.PMID: 34439888 (2021) — Chemical Characterization of Sambucus nigra L. Flowers Aqueous Extract and Its Biological Implications. · Biomolecules
22.PMID: 36559324 (2022) — Comparison of the Formulation, Stability and Biological Effects of Hydrophilic Extracts from Black Elder Flowers (Sambucus nigra L.). · Pharmaceutics
23.PMID: 41683541 (2026) — From Elderflower to Bioactive Extracts: Phytochemical Characterization and Anti-Inflammatory Activity. · Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
24.PMID: 41828765 (2026) — Elderberry and Linden Flowers Ethanol-Water Extracts: Extraction Type Effect, Analysis and Biological Activity Determination. · Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)