PubMed-compiled information sheet
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Compiled from 30 PubMed articles · model: gemma4:31b
Summary
Picrasma quassioides is an Asian shrub used in traditional medicine with demonstrated anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and neuroprotective pharmacological activities [PMID:34659503, PMID:32858812].
Background
Picrasma quassioides (D. Don) Benn is a member of the Simaroubaceae family commonly grown in Asia, the Himalayas, and India [PMID:32858812, PMID:35783065]. It is recorded in the Chinese Pharmacopeia as Kumu [PMID:38964561].
Traditional uses
Traditionally used to treat fever, gastric discomfort, pediculosis [PMID:32858812], inflammation, microbial infection, and dysentery [PMID:31520892]. It is also used for anemopyretic cold, eczema, nausea, loss of appetite, diabetes mellitus, hypertension [PMID:32606152], and skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, scabies, and boils [PMID:38789093].
Active compounds
The plant contains a complex mixture of phytochemicals, primarily alkaloids (including β-carbolines, canthinones, and alkaloid dimers), quassinoids, and terpenoids (such as tirucallane and apotirucallane triterpenoids) [PMID:32858812, PMID:34768188, PMID:27494664]. Specific active ingredients include methylnigakinone [PMID:35870280] and canthin-6-one [PMID:35472694].
Mechanism of action
Anticancer effects are mediated via the ROS-mitochondrial axis activating the p38 MAPK signaling pathway in cervical cancer cells [PMID:32606152] and by inhibiting the EMT process through upregulation of E-cadherin and ZO-1 and downregulation of beta-catenin and Snail in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma [PMID:37686036]. Neuroprotective effects occur via suppression of cell apoptosis and downregulation of caspase-3 activation [PMID:30917277], and by ameliorating LPS-induced astrocyte activation to protect the blood-brain barrier [PMID:35472694]. Anti-inflammatory activity is associated with the inhibition of nitric oxide (NO), TNF-α, and IL-6 production [PMID:21372418].
Clinical evidence
Evidence DAlzheimer's Disease
EtOAc extract of stems improved memory and cognitive abilities in amyloid-β peptide-induced AD mice and showed neuroprotective activities in vitro [PMID:31520892]
Evidence DRheumatoid Arthritis
Total alkaloid extract delivered via hyaluronic acid decorated lipid-polymer hybrid nanoparticles showed anti-inflammatory activity in collagen-induced arthritis rats [PMID:37023852]
Evidence DHepatocellular Carcinoma
Medicated serum of P. quassioides exerts an inhibitory effect on the growth of HCC cells [PMID:40092104]
Safety & adverse effects
Total alkaloid extracts have been noted to have high toxicity with an IC50 of 8.088 ± 0.903 μg/ml [PMID:37023852].
Evidence summary
The current evidence is primarily based on in vitro cell studies, in silico computational modeling, and animal models (mice and rats). There are no human clinical trials provided; therefore, the overall strength of evidence for clinical application is low (Level D).
PubMed sources
- 1.PMID: 34659503 (2021) — Pharmacological effects of Picrasma quassioides (D. Don) Benn for inflammation, cancer and neuroprotection (Review). · Experimental and therapeutic medicine
- 2.PMID: 32858812 (2020) — Phytochemistry, Traditional Use and Pharmacological Activity of Picrasma quassioides: A Critical Reviews. · Nutrients
- 3.PMID: 39170506 (2024) — Progress in the study of chemical composition, biological activity, and its metabolism of the Picrasma quassioides. · Heliyon
- 4.PMID: 34768188 (2022) — Alkaloids from Picrasma quassioides: An overview of their NMR data, biosynthetic pathways and pharmacological effects. · Phytochemistry
- 5.PMID: 31520892 (2019) — Effects of Picrasma quassioides and its active constituents on Alzheimer's disease in vitro and in vivo.