Mahkota Dewa (Phaleria macrocarpa): Benefits, Dosage, Safety & Evidence

Frequently asked questions

How does Mahkota Dewa work to lower blood sugar?

Mahkota Dewa (Phaleria macrocarpa) contains bioactive compounds including kaempferol, quercetin, and myricetin that appear to exert antidiabetic effects through multiple mechanisms. Research suggests these flavonoids may enhance insulin sensitivity, inhibit glucose absorption in the intestines, and protect pancreatic beta cells from oxidative damage. The gallic acid content may also contribute to glucose metabolism regulation. Evidence level: C (preliminary animal and in vitro studies). More human clinical trials are needed to fully understand the mechanism.

Does Mahkota Dewa interact with diabetes medications or blood thinners?

Yes, Mahkota Dewa has significant interaction potential. It may enhance the blood sugar-lowering effects of diabetes medications like metformin or insulin, potentially causing hypoglycemia (Evidence level: C). Additionally, Mahkota Dewa may interact with blood thinners such as warfarin, increasing bleeding risk. The herb contains compounds that affect platelet aggregation and glucose metabolism. Patients taking antidiabetic or anticoagulant medications should consult a healthcare provider before using Mahkota Dewa and may require medication adjustments and closer monitoring.

What is the recommended daily dosage for Mahkota Dewa fruit?

The traditional adult dosage for Mahkota Dewa is 2-3 grams of dried fruit slices prepared as a tea, taken once daily. The dried fruit slices are typically steeped in hot water for 10-15 minutes before consumption. Standardized extracts may have different dosing recommendations based on concentration. There is insufficient clinical evidence to establish optimal therapeutic dosing, so this recommendation is based on traditional use (Evidence level: Traditional). Start with lower doses to assess tolerance and consult a qualified practitioner.

Is Mahkota Dewa safe to take during pregnancy or breastfeeding?

Mahkota Dewa is considered unsafe during pregnancy and breastfeeding. The herb contains alkaloids and other bioactive compounds that may stimulate uterine contractions or affect fetal development. Traditional Indonesian medicine specifically contraindicates its use in pregnant women. There is insufficient safety data for breastfeeding, so avoidance is recommended. Women who are pregnant, planning pregnancy, or breastfeeding should not use Mahkota Dewa. Consult a healthcare provider for safe alternatives for managing blood sugar or blood pressure during pregnancy.

What are the health benefits of Mahkota Dewa fruit?

Mahkota Dewa (Phaleria macrocarpa) is traditionally used in Indonesian and Javanese medicine for managing diabetes, hypertension, and liver disease. The fruit contains antioxidant compounds including kaempferol, quercetin, and gallic acid that may support metabolic health. Preliminary research suggests potential antidiabetic and antihypertensive properties (Evidence level: C), based primarily on animal and in vitro studies. The herb has a long history of use in Javanese royal medicine. However, robust human clinical trials are limited, and these traditional uses require further scientific validation.

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

Phaleria macrocarpa, known as Mahkota Dewa, is a medicinal plant indigenous to Indonesia and Malaysia with reported anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-proliferative activities [PMID:23922460, 37234341].

Background

Phaleria macrocarpa (Scheff.) Boerl. is a tropical plant geographically distributed around Papua Island, Indonesia, and Malaysia [PMID:37234341, 23922460].

Traditional uses

Traditionally used to reduce pain, stomachache, diarrhea, tumor problems, blood glucose, cholesterol, and blood pressure [PMID:37234341].

Active compounds

Identified compounds include phalerin, gallic acid, icariside C, mangiferin, mahkoside A and B, dodecanoic acid, palmitic acid, des-acetylflavicordin-A, flavicordin-A, flavicordin-D, flavicordin-A glucoside, ethyl stearate, lignans, alkaloids, saponins, and flavonoids such as kaempferol, myricetin, naringin, rutin, and quercetin [PMID:23922460, 16753792, 21747685, 23044367].

Mechanism of action

The bioactive extract predimenol suppresses NF-κB and COX-2 to exert anti-inflammatory effects [PMID:35043776]. Other mechanisms include the inhibition of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) [PMID:36803524], downregulation of ER-α, Nrf2, and the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway in breast cancer cells [PMID:36502785], and enhancement of LDL receptor and PCSK9 expression to reduce cholesterol [PMID:21763412].

Clinical evidence

Evidence BPremenstrual syndrome and primary dysmenorrhea

DLBS1442 (a standardized fruit extract) was evaluated for efficacy and safety in alleviating symptoms [PMID:21760747]

Evidence DCancer (In vitro/In vivo)

Anti-proliferative activity observed against colon and breast cancer cells [PMID:37234341]; chemopreventive effects on colorectal cancer aberrant crypt foci in rats [PMID:27492327].

Evidence DDiabetes (Animal models)

Methanol and n-butanol fractions of fruit extract reduced blood glucose in diabetic rats [PMID:22547320]; leaf ethanol extract affected serum IL-6 and TNF-α levels in diabetic rats [PMID:37876571].

Evidence DHypercholesterolemia (Animal models)

Fruit aqueous extract reduced cholesterol levels in rats [PMID:21763412].

Evidence DMale Reproductive Function (Animal models)

Aqueous fruit extract increased serum testosterone levels, mounting frequency, and the number/thickness of seminiferous tubules in rats [PMID:25050295, 24967068].

Evidence summary

The majority of evidence is derived from in vitro studies and animal models (Level D), with limited clinical data from an open study on menstrual symptoms (Level B) and a single case report on hepatotoxicity.

PubMed sources

1.PMID: 37234341 (2023) — Phaleria macrocarpa (Scheff.) Boerl.: An updated review of pharmacological effects, toxicity studies, and separation techniques. · Saudi pharmaceutical journal : SPJ : the official publication of the Saudi Pharmaceutical Society
2.PMID: 34137461 (2021) — Extraction and identification of biologically important proteins from the medicinal plant God's crown (Phaleria macrocarpa). · Journal of food biochemistry
3.PMID: 35043776 (2022) — Anti-inflammatory Effect of Predimenol, A Bioactive Extract from Phaleria macrocarpa, through the Suppression of NF-κB and COX-2. · Recent advances in inflammation & allergy drug discovery
4.PMID: 32041919 (2019) — A Case Report on Cholestatic Jaundice Secondary to Adverse Effect of Phaleria macrocarpa (Mahkota Dewa). · Acta medica Indonesiana
5.PMID: 37264623 (2023)

Mahkota Dewa

Sources & Citations

Calculate a safe dose of Mahkota Dewa

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Frequently asked questions

Summary

Background

Traditional uses

Active compounds

Mechanism of action

Clinical evidence

Evidence summary

PubMed sources

Government sources

Mahkota Dewa

Sources & Citations

Calculate a safe dose of Mahkota Dewa

Related Herbs

Terminalia catappa

Withania coagulans

Teucrium polium

Frequently asked questions

Summary

Background

Traditional uses

Active compounds

Mechanism of action

Clinical evidence

Evidence summary

PubMed sources

Government sources