This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider before using herbs, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medications, or have a medical condition.
Mesua ferrea contains active compounds including mesuol, mammeisin, and coumarins that are believed to support cardiovascular function. These constituents may help strengthen cardiac muscle contractions and improve circulation through effects on vascular tone. The xanthones present also contribute antioxidant properties that may protect cardiac tissue from oxidative stress. However, the exact mechanism of action remains poorly understood and requires further research. Current evidence level is C, based primarily on traditional use and preliminary pharmacological studies rather than robust clinical trials.
Does Nagarjuna interact with heart medications or blood thinners?
Mesua ferrea may potentially interact with cardiac medications due to its cardiotonic properties. The herb contains coumarins, which could theoretically enhance the effects of anticoagulant or antiplatelet medications, increasing bleeding risk. Patients taking digoxin, beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, or blood thinners like warfarin should avoid this herb or consult a healthcare provider before use. Evidence for these interactions is theoretical (Level C-D), based on constituent analysis rather than documented clinical cases, but caution is warranted.
What is the recommended dosage of Nagarjuna (Mesua ferrea) for adults?
The traditional Ayurvedic dosage for Mesua ferrea (nagakeshar) is 1-3 grams of dried flower stamens daily, taken as a powder or prepared as a tea. Standardized extracts are typically dosed at 500 mg taken twice daily. Dosage should be adjusted based on the specific formulation and individual response. It is advisable to start with lower doses and consult a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner or healthcare provider for personalized guidance. These recommendations are based on traditional use (Level C evidence).
Is Nagarjuna (Mesua ferrea) safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding?
Mesua ferrea is considered unsafe during pregnancy and is contraindicated for pregnant women. The herb contains compounds that may stimulate uterine contractions or affect fetal development, though specific teratogenic effects have not been well documented. Due to insufficient safety data, breastfeeding women should also avoid this herb. Women of childbearing age should use reliable contraception if taking this herb medicinally. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal supplement during pregnancy or while nursing.
What are the side effects of Mesua ferrea (Nagarjuna)?
Common side effects of Mesua ferrea primarily involve mild gastrointestinal upset, including nausea, stomach discomfort, or loose stools, particularly when taken on an empty stomach or at higher doses. Some individuals may experience mild cardiac effects due to the herb's cardiotonic properties, though serious adverse events are rare with recommended dosages. Discontinue use if you experience palpitations, dizziness, or severe digestive symptoms. Those with pre-existing heart conditions should exercise particular caution and seek medical advice before use.
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
Mesua ferrea L., also known as Nagkesar or Cobra saffron, is a tropical forest plant used in traditional medicine for its antiseptic, antidiabetic, and anti-inflammatory properties [PMID: 33207941, 33039539, 40054702].
Background
Mesua ferrea L. (Family: Calophyllaceae) is a tropical timber tree used for oil and herbal medicines [PMID: 36084895, 33039539]. It is colloquially known as Nagkesar or Cobra saffron and is the state flower of Tripura, India [PMID: 33039539].
Traditional uses
It is used traditionally in India and South East Asian countries as an antiseptic, antidote, and brain tonic [PMID: 33207941]. In Ayurvedic literature, it is prescribed for pain, inflammation, and rheumatic conditions [PMID: 21986230], and it has been utilized in folk medicine for antidiabetic properties [PMID: 40054702]. In Myanmar, it is used in traditional skincare formulations [PMID: 31135222].
Active compounds
The plant contains xanthones (including 1,5,6-trihydroxyxanthone, mesuaferrin A, B, and C, and alpha-mangostin) [PMID: 30368220, 23381024], 4-phenylcoumarins (mesuaferols A-C, mesuol A and B) [PMID: 36412548, 40054702], biflavonoids (rhusflavanone and mesuaferrone B) [PMID: 31534074, 31135222], and polyphenols such as vitexin and isovitexin [PMID: 38601576]. Other identified components include alpha-amyrin and betulinic acid [PMID: 28807224].
Mechanism of action
The oleo-gum resin extract may attenuate angiogenesis by down-regulating transcription factors HIF-1alpha and WNT, leading to the blockage of the VEGF/Angiopoietin axis [PMID: 40851795]. Certain prenylated polyphenols from leaves stimulate glucose uptake in 3T3-L1 adipocytes [PMID: 40054702], while others inhibit alpha-glucosidase [PMID: 39853874]. Biflavonoids from flowers inhibit the secretion of Salmonella pathogenicity island 1 (SPI-1) effector proteins without affecting bacterial growth [PMID: 31534074].
Clinical evidence
Evidence DArthritis
Extracts of M. ferrea seed protected rats against formaldehyde and Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA)-induced arthritis [PMID: 21986230]
Evidence DCancer (In vitro/In vivo)
Extracts from flowering buds inhibited proliferation, migration, and induced apoptosis in breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231 and 4T1) [PMID: 39842228]. Stem bark extract induced apoptosis and inhibited metastasis in human colorectal carcinoma HCT 116 cells [PMID: 28807224].
Evidence DMalaria
Ethanolic extracts of branches (EMFB) and leaves (EMF) exhibited high antimalarial activity in vitro [PMID: 39621736].
Evidence DBacterial Infections
Methanol extract of flowers inhibited various Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and provided protection to mice challenged with Salmonella typhimurium [PMID: 15551387].
Safety & adverse effects
A subacute toxicity study in rats (doses of 100, 500, and 1000 mg/kg over 28 days) of the ethanolic extract of flowers showed no adverse effects on growth rate or hematological parameters, though a slight decrease in total cholesterol was noted [PMID: 33207941].
Evidence summary
The current evidence is primarily based on in vitro cell line studies and in vivo animal models (Level D). There are no human clinical trials or systematic reviews provided in the source data.
PubMed sources
1.PMID: 38601576 (2024) — Comparative discriminant analysis of Mesua ferrea L. and its adulterants. · Heliyon
2.PMID: 33207941 (2022) — Subacute toxicity study of the ethanolic extract of Mesua ferrea (L.) flowers in rats. · Drug and chemical toxicology
3.PMID: 30368220 (2019) — Cytotoxic xanthones from the roots of Mesua ferrea L. · Phytochemistry
4.PMID: 39621736 (2024) — Exploring the potential antimalarial properties, safety profile, and phytochemical composition of Mesua ferrea Linn. · PloS one
5.PMID: 36412548 (2023) — Cytotoxic 4-phenylcoumarins from the flowering buds of Mesua ferrea. · Natural product research
6.
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.
PMID: 37537171 (2023) — Chromosome-scale genomes of commercial timber trees (Ochroma pyramidale, Mesua ferrea, and Tectona grandis). · Scientific data
7.PMID: 23381024 (2013) — Cytotoxicity and structure-activity relationships of xanthone derivatives from Mesua beccariana, Mesua ferrea and Mesua congestiflora towards nine human cancer cell lines. · Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
8.PMID: 36084895 (2022) — The whole chloroplast genome of Mesua ferrea: Insight into the dynamic pattern of evolution and its comparison with species from recently diverged families. · Gene
9.PMID: 39842228 (2025) — Mesua ferrea L. extract inhibits cell invasion and tumor growth in breast cancer in vitro and in vivo. · Tissue & cell
10.PMID: 24089682 (2013) — In vitro cytotoxic, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities of Mesua beccariana (Baill.) Kosterm., Mesua ferrea Linn., and Mesua congestiflora extracts. · BioMed research international
11.PMID: 33039539 (2021) — The genome sequence of Mesua ferrea and comparative demographic histories of forest trees. · Gene
12.PMID: 31534074 (2019) — Anti-virulence activities of biflavonoids from Mesua ferrea L. flower. · Drug discoveries & therapeutics
13.PMID: 22557537 (1986) — Nagakesara - a comparative pharmacognosy. · Ancient science of life
14.PMID: 33365840 (2019) — Complete chloroplast genome of Mesua ferrea: the first Calophyllaceae plastome. · Mitochondrial DNA. Part B, Resources
15.PMID: 40851795 (2025) — Mesua ferrea L. extract Attenuates Angiogenesis Through HIF-1α and WNT Mediated Blockage of VEGF/Angiopoietin Axis. · Dose-response : a publication of International Hormesis Society
16.PMID: 15551387 (2004) — Antibacterial potentiality of Mesua ferrea Linn. flowers. · Phytotherapy research : PTR
17.PMID: 39054443 (2024) — Antiplasmodial potential of isolated xanthones from Mesua ferrea Linn. roots: an in vitro and in silico molecular docking and pharmacokinetics study. · BMC complementary medicine and therapies
18.PMID: 40054702 (2025) — Identified prenylated polyphenols from Mesua ferrea L. and their stimulatory effect on glucose uptake in 3 T3-L1 adipocytes. · Fitoterapia
19.PMID: 21986230 (2011) — Antiarthritic activity of various extracts of Mesua ferrea Linn. seed. · Journal of ethnopharmacology
20.PMID: 28807224 (2017) — Mesua ferrea stem bark extract induces apoptosis and inhibits metastasis in human colorectal carcinoma HCT 116 cells, through modulation of multiple cell signalling pathways. · Chinese journal of natural medicines
21.PMID: 31175952 (2019) — 4-Alkyl-5,7-dihydroxycoumarins from the flowering buds of Mesua ferrea. · Fitoterapia
22.PMID: 31135222 (2021) — Rhusflavanone and mesuaferrone B: tyrosinase and elastase inhibitory biflavonoids extracted from the stamens of Mesua ferrea L. · Natural product research
23.PMID: 35377483 (2022) — Convergent gene clusters underpin hyperforin biosynthesis in St John's wort. · The New phytologist
24.PMID: 39853874 (2025) — α-Glucosidase Inhibitory Activities of Polyphenols From Mesua ferrea L. Leaves. · Chemistry & biodiversity
25.PMID: 24929106 (2014) — Cytotoxicity and inhibition of P-glycoprotein by selected medicinal plants from Thailand. · Journal of ethnopharmacology