Eurycoma Longifolia
Scientific Name(s): Eurycoma longifolia Jack
Common Name(s): Cay Ba Binh, Eurycoma, Malaysian ginseng, Pasak bumi, Tongkat Ali
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jul 22, 2021.
Clinical Overview
Use
Animal and in vitro trials have evaluated E. longifolia for its antimalarial, anxiolytic, and antihyperglycemic activity; however, clinical evidence is lacking to support these uses. Limited clinical trial data suggest potential benefit for erectile dysfunction, but trials were of poor quality.
Dosing
Dosing recommendations are largely based on historical practice or manufacturer recommendations, as clinical studies are lacking.
Doses ranging from 100 to 800 mg daily have been reported.
Contraindications
Contraindications have not been clearly defined. Extracts of E. longifolia should not be used in patients with prostate cancer.
Pregnancy/Lactation
Avoid use. Information regarding safety and efficacy in pregnancy and lactation is lacking.
Interactions
None well documented.
Adverse Reactions
Limited information is available.
Toxicology
No data.
Scientific Family
- Simaroubaceae
Botany
The Simaroubaceae family consists of 30 genera and 200 species. E. longifolia is a tall, slender, shrubby tree that grows in sandy soil. The plant is indigenous to Southeast Asia countries, including Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Malaysia.1, 2, 3
History
A decoction of the roots, root bark, or bark of E. longifolia has been consumed orally to treat many conditions, including diarrhea, fever, glandular swelling, bleeding, edema, persistent cough, hypertension, bone pain, and tertian malaria. The bark has also been used topically to treat wounds, ulcers, syphilitic sores, and headache. The plant has traditionally been used as an aphrodisiac, with recent increases in demand for E. longifolia products due to its aphrodisiac properties.1, 2, 3
Chemistry
Numerous reviews and studies of the phytochemical components of E. longifolia have been conducted.1, 2, 3 The plant's pharmacological activity is attributed to various quassinoids and quassinoid diterpenoids, squalene derivatives, biphenylneolignans, tirucallane-type triterpenes, canthine-6-1, and beta-carboline alkaloids.4, 5 Other identified constituents include eurycomaoside,eurycolactone, laurycolactone, and eurycomalactone.
Quassinoids, including eurycomanol, eurycomanol-2-O-beta-D-glycopyranoside, 13beta,18-dihydroeurycomanol, 14,15p-dihydroxyklaineanone, and 6-alpha-hydroxyeurycomalactone, have been isolated from the roots. Pasakbumins A-D (also known as eurycomanones) have also been isolated.4, 6, 7, 8, 9
Squalene derivatives include eurylene, 14-deacetyl eurylene, longilene peroxide, and teurilene.10, 11
Biphenylneolignans include the following: 2 isomeric 2,2-dimethoxy-4-(3-hydroxy-1-propenyl)-4-(1,2,3-trihydroxypropyl) diphenyl ethers and 2 biphenyls, 2-hydroxy-3,2,6-trimethoxy-4-(2,3-epoxy-1-hydroxypropyl)-5-(3-hydroxy-1-propenyl)-biphenyl, and 2-hydroxy-3,2-dimethoxy-4-(2,3-epoxy-1-hydroxypropyl)-5-(3-hydroxy-1-propenyl)-biphenyl.
