Catechu
OTHER NAME(S): Acacia catechu, Acacia à Cachou, Acacia Catechu Heartwood Extract, Black Catechu, Black Cutch, Cachou, Cachou de Pegu, Cachou Noir, Cachou, Acacia Cashoo, Cashou, Catechu Nigrum, Catecu, Cutch, Cutchtree, Dark Catechu, Er Cha, Khadira, Khair, Kher, Khoyer, Pegu Catechu, Uncaria gambir, Cachou Pâle, Cube Gambir, Extrait de Brindille/Feuille d'Uncaria Gambier, Gambier, Gambir, Gambir Catechu, Japan Earth, Pale Catechu, Terra Japonica, Uncaria Gambier Leaf/Twig Extract, White Cutch, Black catechu, Mimosa catechu, Senegalia catechu, Nauclea gambir, Ourouparia gambir, Acacia catechu, Catecú, Catéchu
Overview
Catechu is a plant in the Mimosaceae or Rubiaceae family. There are two types: black catechu and pale catechu. It's been traditionally used in Ayurveda.
Catechu contains chemicals that might reduce swelling and pain. They might also have antiviral and antibacterial effects.
People use catechu for muscle soreness after exercise, osteoarthritis, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Uses
We currently have no information for Catechu overview.
Side Effects
When taken by mouth: Catechu is commonly consumed in foods. But there isn't enough reliable information to know if it is safe to use in larger amounts as medicine. One specific product (Limbrel, Primus Pharmaceuticals) containing a mixture of catechu and Baikal skullcap has been linked to serious side effects. In 2017, the US FDA recalled this product. It's unclear if these effects were due to catechu, Baikal skullcap, or the combination.
When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if catechu is safe or what the side effects might be.
Precautions
When taken by mouth: Catechu is commonly consumed in foods. But there isn't enough reliable information to know if it is safe to use in larger amounts as medicine. One specific product (Limbrel, Primus Pharmaceuticals) containing a mixture of catechu and Baikal skullcap has been linked to serious side effects. In 2017, the US FDA recalled this product. It's unclear if these effects were due to catechu, Baikal skullcap, or the combination.
When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if catechu is safe or what the side effects might be.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Catechu is commonly consumed in foods. But there isn't enough reliable information to know if catechu is safe to use as medicine when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and stick to food amounts.
Surgery: Catechu might lower blood pressure. This might interfere with blood pressure control during and after surgery. Stop using catechu at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
Interactions
Moderate Interaction
Be cautious with this combination
- Medications that decrease the immune system (Immunosuppressants) interacts with CatechuCatechu can increase or decrease the activity of the immune system. Some medications, such as those used after a transplant, also decrease the activity of the immune system. Taking catechu along with these medications might interfere with their effects.
- Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 2C19 (CYP2C19) substrates) interacts with CatechuSome medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Catechu might change how quickly the liver breaks down these medications. This could change the effects and side effects of these medications.
- Theophylline interacts with CatechuCatechu might decrease how quickly the liver breaks down theophylline. Taking catechu with theophylline might increase the side effects from theophylline.
- Medications for high blood pressure (Antihypertensive drugs) interacts with CatechuCatechu might lower blood pressure. Taking catechu along with medications that lower blood pressure might cause blood pressure to go too low. Monitor your blood pressure closely.
Dosing
There isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of catechu might be. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult a healthcare professional before using.
References
- Leung AY, Foster S. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs and Cosmetics. 2nd ed. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons, 1996.
- Electronic Code of Federal Regulations. Title 21. Part 182 -- Substances Generally Recognized As Safe. Available at: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?CFRPart=182
- Koga T, Meydani M. Effect of plasma metabolites of (+)-catechin and quercetin on monocyte adhesion to human aortic endothelial cells. Am J Clin Nutr 2001;73:941-8..
- Li RW, Myers SP, Leach DN, et al. A cross-cultural study: anti-inflammatory activity of Australian and Chinese plants. J Ethnopharmacol 2003;85:25-32.
- Sham JS, Chiu KW, Pang PK. Hypotensive action of Acacia catechu. Planta Med 1984;50:177-80.
- Levy RM, Saikovsky R, Shmidt E, et al. Flavocoxid is as effective as naproxen for managing the signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knee in humans: a short-term randomized, double-blind pilot study. Nutr Res 2009;29:298-304.
- Burnett BP, Jia Q, Zhao Y, Levy RM. A medicinal extract of Scutellaria baicalensis and Acacia catechu acts as a dual inhibitor of cyclooxygenase and 5-lipoxygenase to reduce inflammation. J Med Food 2007;10:442-51.
- Altavilla D, Squadrito F, Bitto A, et al. Flavocoxid, a dual inhibitor of cyclooxygenase and 5-lipoxygenase, blunts pro-inflammatory phenotype activation in endotoxin-stimulated macrophages. Br J Pharmacol 2009;157:1410-18.
- Morgan SL, Baggott JE, Moreland L, et al. The safety of flavocoxid, a medical food, in the dietary management of knee osteoarthritis. J Med Food 2009;12:1143-8.
- Chalasani N, Vuppalanchi R, Navarro V, et al. Acute liver injury due to flavocoxid (Limbrel), a medical food for osteoarthritis: a case series. Ann Intern Med 2012;156:857-60.
- Reichenbach S, Juni P. Medical food and food supplements: not always as safe as generally assumed. Ann Intern Med 2012;156:894-5.
- PL-Detail Document, Liver Toxicity and Limbrel. Pharmacist's Letter/Prescriber's Letter. September 2012.
- Levy RM, Khokhlov A, Kopenkin S, et al. Efficacy and safety of flavocoxid, a novel therapeutic, compared with naproxen: a randomized multicenter controlled trial in subjects with osteoarthritis of the knee. Adv Ther 2010;27:731-42.
- Arjmandi BH, Ormsbee LT, Elam ML, et al. A combination of Scutellaria baicalensis and Acacia catechu for short-term symptomatic relief of joint discomfort associated with osteoarthritis of the knee. J Med Food 2014;17(6):707-13.
- Al-Mohizea AM, Raish M, Ahad A, et al. Pharmacokinetic interaction of Acacia catechu with CYP1A substrate theophylline in rabbits. J Tradit Chin Med 2015;35(5):588-93.
- Nutan, Modi M, Dezzutti CS, et al. Extracts from Acacia catechu suppress HIV-1 replication by inhibiting the activities of the viral protease and Tat. Virol J 2013;10:309.
- Papafragkakis C, Ona MA, Reddy M, et al. Acute hepatitis after ingestion of a preparation of chinese skullcap and black catechu for joint pain. Case Reports Hepatol 2016;2016:4356749.
- Saha MR, Dey P, Begum S, et al. Effect of Acacia catechu (L.f.) Willd. on oxidative stress with possible implications in alleviating selected cognitive disorders. PLoS One 2016;11(3):e0150574.
- Yimam M, Brownell L, Hodges M, et al. Analgesic effects of a standardized bioflavonoid composition from Scutellaria baicalensis and Acacia catechu. J Diet Suppl 2012;9(3):155-65.
- Yimam M, Burnett BP, Brownell L, et al. Clinical and preclinical cognitive function improvement after oral treatment of a botanical composition composed of extracts from Scutellaria baicalensis and Acacia catechu. Behav Neurol 2016;2016:7240802.
- Yimam M, Talbott SM, Talbott JA, Brownell L, Jia Q. AmLexin, a standardized blend of Acacia catechu and Morus alba, shows benefits to delayed onset muscle soreness in healthy runners. J Exerc Nutrition Biochem. 2018;22(4):20-31.
- Sunil MA, Sunitha VS, Ashitha A, et al. Catechin rich butanol fraction extracted from Acacia catechu L. (a thirst quencher) exhibits immunostimulatory potential. J Food Drug Anal. 2019;27(1):195-207.
- US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). FDA Alerts Consumers About Potentially Life-Threatening Health Problems Linked to Limbrel. December 19, 2017. Available at: https://www.fda.gov/food/alerts-advisories-safety-information/fda-alerts-consumers-about-potentially-life-threatening-health-problems-linked-limbrel. Accessed on September 1, 2021.
- Lewis ED, Crowley DC, Guthrie N, Evans M. Role of Acacia catechu and Scutellaria baicalensis in Enhancing Immune Function Following Influenza Vaccination of Healthy Adults: A Randomized, Triple-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial. J Am Nutr Assoc 2022.