PubMed-compiled information sheet
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Compiled from 29 PubMed articles · model: gemma4:31b
Summary
Dragon's blood from Daemonorops draco is a red resin used traditionally for wound healing and digestive issues, demonstrating hypoglycemic and anti-inflammatory activities in preclinical studies [PMID:38985928, PMID:38446324].
Background
Dragon's blood is a deep-red resin or latex obtained from several plant families, including Arecaceae (specifically the palm tree Daemonorops draco), Asparagaceae, Chamaesyce, and Fabaceae [PMID:31313432, PMID:14752556, PMID:27239099]. While various species produce the resin, the palm tree Daemonorops draco is considered the only 'authentic' source by some pharmacopeias [PMID:31313432].
Traditional uses
It has been used as a traditional medicine topically as an astringent and orally for the treatment of diarrhea and digestive diseases [PMID:38985928]. In traditional Chinese medicine, it is an ingredient in 'Jinchuang Ointment' used for non-healing diabetic wounds [PMID:38446324]. It is also used in traditional Korean medicine for relieving pain caused by wound infection [PMID:35356209].
Active compounds
Key compounds in D. draco include dracorhodin (a flavylium compound), dracoflavylium, and various flavans [PMID:18817913, PMID:19877147, PMID:25601087]. Other identified constituents include dragonins A-D (flavan-3-ol-dihydroretrochalcone dimers), dragonbloodins A1 and A2 (flavonoid trimers), and dracoropins A-H (phenolic compounds) [PMID:28398735, PMID:28736831, PMID:37054821].
Mechanism of action
In vivo and in vitro, D. draco extracts have been shown to stimulate glucose uptake in muscle cells [PMID:38446324]. It may inhibit platelet-derived growth factor-induced PAI-1 expression in vascular smooth muscle cells [PMID:38842634] and inhibit NF-κB and activate Nrf2 in various cell lines [PMID:33301918]. In leukemia cells, it induces apoptosis by increasing reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels via miR-216b activation and c-Jun inhibition [PMID:35356209].
Clinical evidence
Evidence DDiabetic Wounds
The clinical efficacy of Jinchuang Ointment (containing D. draco) in treating chronic non-healing diabetic wounds has been demonstrated over several decades [PMID:38842634].
Evidence DHyperglycemia (Animal Model)
Oral administration of crude D. draco extracts in male B6 mice showed a decreasing trend in fasting blood glucose levels from the second to tenth week [PMID:38446324].
Evidence DAcute Myeloid Leukemia (In Vitro)
D. draco exhibited cytotoxic effects and induced apoptosis in U937 and THP-1 cell lines [PMID:35356209].
Safety & adverse effects
Therapy with dragon's blood has not been linked to elevations in serum enzymes or clinically apparent liver injury [PMID:38985928].
Evidence summary
The current evidence for Daemonorops draco consists primarily of in vitro cell assays and animal models (Level D), with some references to long-term traditional clinical use of formulated ointments. There are no provided RCTs or meta-analyses for this specific species.
PubMed sources
- 1.PMID: 38985928 (2012) — Bioactive ingredients in Korean cosmeceuticals: Trends and research evidence. · Journal of cosmetic dermatology
- 2.PMID: 38446324 (2024) — Hypoglycemic effects of dracorhodin and dragon blood crude extract from Daemonorops draco. · Botanical studies
- 3.PMID: 25601087 (2015) — Three new flavans in dragon's blood from Daemonorops draco. · Natural product research
- 4.PMID: 38842634 (2024) — Novel therapeutic activities of dragon blood from palm tree Daemonorops draco for the treatment of chronic diabetic wounds. · Botanical studies
- 5.PMID: 31313432 (2019) — Rapid identification of dragon blood samples from Daemonorops draco, Dracaena cinnabari and Dracaena cochinchinensis by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry.