Pagoda Tree
OTHER NAME(S): Árbol de la Pagoda, Arbre de Miel, Arbre aux Pagodes, Chinese Scholartree, Huai Chiao, Huai Hua, Huai Mi, Japanese Pagoda Tree, Japanese Sophora, Pagode Japonaise, Sófora, Sophora du Japon, Sophora Japonica Linn, Sophorae Fructus, Soppora Japonica, Styphnolobium japonicum, Sophora japonica, Japanese Sophora, Árbol de pagoda, Sophora Du Japon
Overview
Pagoda tree (Styphnolobium japonicum) is a plant found in China, Japan, and Korea. The flowers, buds, and fruit are used in traditional medicine.
Pagoda tree contains chemicals similar to those found in soy. These chemicals might help with symptoms of menopause. Chemicals in pagoda tree might also reduce swelling and slow the growth of prostate tissue.
People use pagoda tree for hemorrhoids, symptoms of menopause, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Uses
We currently have no information for Pagoda Tree overview.
Side Effects
When taken by mouth: The fruit of pagoda tree is possibly safe. A specific brand of pagoda tree fruit extract (Rexflavone, Rexgene Biotech Co. Ltd.) has been used safely for up to 12 weeks. But pagoda tree seeds are possibly unsafe for most people. The seeds might cause serious side effects including facial swelling or death.
Precautions
When taken by mouth: The fruit of pagoda tree is possibly safe. A specific brand of pagoda tree fruit extract (Rexflavone, Rexgene Biotech Co. Ltd.) has been used safely for up to 12 weeks. But pagoda tree seeds are possibly unsafe for most people. The seeds might cause serious side effects including facial swelling or death.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: It's possibly unsafe to take pagoda tree seeds by mouth while pregnant or breast-feeding. There isn't enough reliable information to know if the fruit is safe. Stay on the safe side and avoid use of any part of pagoda tree.
Interactions
Moderate Interaction
Be cautious with this combination
- Caffeine interacts with Pagoda TreePagoda tree contains the chemical genistein. Genistein might slow down how quickly the body gets rid of caffeine. It isn't known if pagoda tree contains enough genistein to change the levels or side effects of caffeine.
Dosing
There isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of pagoda tree 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
- Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C. PDR for Herbal Medicines. 1st ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 1998.
- Chen, Y., Xiao, C. Q., He, Y. J., Chen, B. L., Wang, G., Zhou, G., Zhang, W., Tan, Z. R., Cao, S., Wang, L. P., and Zhou, H. H. Genistein alters caffeine exposure in healthy female volunteers. Eur.J Clin.Pharmacol. 2011;67(4):347-353.
- Kite, G. C., Stoneham, C. A., and Veitch, N. C. Flavonol tetraglycosides and other constituents from leaves of Styphnolobium japonicum (Leguminosae) and related taxa. Phytochemistry 2007;68(10):1407-1416.
- Liu, I. M. and Sheu, S. J. Analysis and processing of Chinese herbal drugs. VIII: The study of sophorae floe. Am J Chin Med 1989;17(3-4):179-187.
- Taliou A, Zintzaras E, Lykouras L, Francis K. An open-label pilot study of a formulation containing the anti-inflammatory flavonoid luteolin and its effects on behavior in children with autism spectrum disorders. Clin Ther. 2013;35(5):592-602.
- Man KM, Chen WC, Wang HM, et al. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of a Chinese herbal Sophora flower formula in patients with symptomatic haemorrhoids: a preliminary study. Afr J Tradit Complement Altern Med. 2012;10(2):343-51.
- Li L, Huang T, Lan C, Ding H, Yan C, Dou Y. Protective effect of polysaccharide from Sophora japonica L. flower buds against UVB radiation in a human keratinocyte cell line (HaCaT cells). J Photochem Photobiol B. 2019;191:135-142.
- Yoon HJ, Seo CR, Kim M, et al. Dichloromethane extracts of Sophora japonica L. stimulate osteoblast differentiation in mesenchymal stem cells. Nutr Res. 2013;33(12):1053-62.
- Lee J, Kim KW, Kim HK, et al. The effect of Rexflavone (Sophorae fructus extract) on menopausal symptoms in postmenopausal women: a randomized double-blind placebo controlled clinical trial. Arch Pharm Res. 2010;33(4):523-30.
- Elberry A, Mufti S, Al-Maghrabi J, et al. The protective effect of Sophora japonica on prostatic hypertrophy and inflammation in rat. Inflammopharmacology 2020. Online ahead of print.
- Liu T, Su B. Styphnolobium japonicum (L.) Schott flower extract alleviates oxidative stress and inflammatory factors in the adjuvant-induced arthritis rat model. J Pain Res 2021;14:2907-2919.
- Liu Y, Huang W, Ji S, Wang J, Luo J, Lu B. Sophora japonica flowers and their main phytochemical, rutin, regulate chemically induced murine colitis in association with targeting the NF-?B signaling pathway and gut microbiota. Food Chem 2022;393:133395.