IngredientsMicrocos paniculata (MPL), belonging to family Tiliaceae, is a shrub native to southern China, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. The species has been placed in several overlapping taxonomic arrangements; M. paniculata, also known as Grewia nervosa, is a medicinal and edible plant widely distributed in South China, India, Indonesia, Myanmar, and beyond. Within the broader reorganization of flowering plants under the APG system, the Tiliaceae family has been subsumed into Malvaceae, and accordingly the species is sometimes cited as belonging to Malvaceae in more recent literature. It is a tropical and subtropical plant species found in Asia, Africa, and Australia.
Known locally as "Kathgua" or "Fattashi" in Bangladesh, the plant generally develops naturally as a shrub or short tree. It is sometimes added to Chinese herbal tea, having a mildly sour taste.
The plant carries a wide range of regional vernacular names corresponding to the breadth of its distribution:
These regional names span South and Southeast Asian languages including Malayalam, Kannada, Marathi, Sinhala, Tamil, Hindi, and Bengali.
Microctis Folium (MF) is the dried leaves of Microcos paniculata L., which is included in the 2020 edition of the "Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China" and the "Catalog of New Resource Foods" of the Ministry of Health of the People's Republic of China. As a dual-purpose herb with both medicinal and edible applications, MF has been widely used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and the herbal tea industry.
Microctis Folium (buzhaye in Chinese), the dried leaves of MPL, is traditionally used as folk medicine and herbal tea material in China. Microctis Folium (MF), the dried leaves of M. paniculata, has been added to Chinese Pharmacopoeia as a kind of traditional herbal medicine. MF is described to have positive effects on fever, jaundice, heat-stroke, indigestion, and diarrhea.
Common commercial preparations and dosage forms derived from or incorporating the plant include:
It has been a long-standing tradition of using herbal tea for preventive and therapeutic healthcare in Hong Kong and South China, and Five Flowers Tea (Wuhua Cha) is one of the most popular herbal teas, incorporating Microcos paniculata (known by the TCM abbreviation BZY) as one of its ingredients. Based on the principle of traditional Chinese medicine, the pharmacological functions attributed to such teas are to clear heat and dispel dampness in the body. Heat and dampness are thought to contribute to a range of health problems, especially during the hot and humid season in South China and Hong Kong.
Both written in the Qing Dynasty (1644–1911), Lingnan fengwu ji (a record of the customs of Guangdong) and Chronicle of Sun-On County described the unfavourable climate and frequent epidemic plagues in Hong Kong. From the perspective of Chinese Medicine, hot and wet weather are thought to contribute to a series of health problems, as exogenous heat and dampness evils attack the body, resulting in abnormal consumption of qi and impairment of body fluids.
In traditional Chinese medicine, the plant is believed to help the digestive system, and it is also used for other health problems including colds, hepatitis, diarrhea, heat stroke, and dyspepsia. The leaves of M. paniculata are also commonly used in ethnomedicinal treatments for food stagnation, damp-heat jaundice, and fever.
New scientific research confirms the traditional uses of Microcos paniculata, which have been used for a long time in traditional medicine systems like Ayurveda and TCM to treat a variety of health issues.
In Bangladesh, the plant is known for many traditional uses, including to treat diarrhea, wounds, cold, fever, hepatitis, dyspepsia, and heat stroke. The plant is harvested broadly across Bangladesh, where it appears in folk medical practice. M. paniculata is a shrub native to southern China, Southeast Asia, and South Asia. In Bangladesh, it is particularly common in the Sylhet and Chittagong divisions.
The shrub yields a phytomedicine used to treat heat stroke, fever, dyspepsia, diarrhea, insect bites, and jaundice.
Phytochemical investigations on different parts of MPL indicate the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, triterpenoids, and organic acids. MF contains diverse bioactive compounds including flavonoids, alkaloids, triterpenoids, steroids, and phenolic acids.
Flavonoids, especially apigenin C-glycosides (ACGs), are the most studied and pharmacologically significant class in Microcos paniculata leaves. Four main phenolic compounds are present in the polyphenol-enriched fraction of Folium Microcos (FMF): narcissin, isorhamnetin-3-O-β-D-glucoside, isovitexin, and vitexin. HPLC-MS analysis has further identified a broader ACG suite including isoschaftoside, schaftoside, vitexin, vicenin-1, isovitexin, isoviolanthin, nicotiflorin, astragalin, and narcissoside.
Under HPLC analytical conditions, four flavonoid glycosides — vitexin, isovitexin, isorhamnetin-3-O-β-D-glucoside, and narcissin — were identified. Narcissin (62.4 μg/mg) was identified as the major phenolic compound in FMF, followed by isorhamnetin-3-O-β-D-glucoside (11.3 μg/mg), isovitexin (10.6 μg/mg), and vitexin (10.4 μg/mg).
Eleven compounds from an effectively protective fraction against acute myocardial ischemia injury were identified as vitexin (1), isovitexin (2), isorhamnetin (3), kaempferol (4), quercetin (5), 5,6,7,8,4'-pentamethoxyflavone (6), nobiletin (7), vanillic acid (8), caffeic acid (9), ferulic acid (10), and erucicamide (11).
Vitexin (5,7,4'-trihydroxyflavone-8-glucoside) is a C-glycosylated flavonoid compound widely present in various kinds of plants and is an active ingredient in many traditional Chinese medicines and foods. Isovitexin (apigenin-6-C-glucoside), an isomer of vitexin, also exists in plants containing vitexin and has been screened as a bioactive ingredient because of its similar chemical structure.
Three new piperidine alkaloids, microgrewiapines A–C, as well as three known compounds, inclusive of microcosamine A, 7′-(3′,4′-dihydroxyphenyl)-N-[4-methoxyphenyl)ethyl]propenamide, and liriodenine, were isolated from chloroform-soluble extracts of the stem bark, branches, and leaves of M. paniculata. A new piperidine alkaloid, microcosamine C, and one known compound, microcosamine A, were isolated from the leaves of Microcos paniculata.
Phytochemical screening of the aqueous leaf extract (LWE) revealed the presence of carbohydrates, alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, triterpenoids, and glycosides. The plant's essential oil has also been investigated: Bi HePing et al. extracted essential oil from the leaves of Microcos paniculata L. using steam distillation, and chemical components were isolated and recognized through GC-MS analysis.
Isovitexin has been shown to inhibit NF-κB translocation and MAPK phosphorylation, thereby exerting potent anti-inflammatory effects. M. paniculata ACGs target the MAPKs pathway to exert their anti-inflammatory activity, and also inhibit apoptosis through mitochondrial-dependent pathways.
Apigenin C-glycoside extracted from Microcos paniculata L. showed protective effects against LPS-induced lung injury in BALB/c mice at 20 and 40 mg/kg oral doses; inhibition of inflammatory cytokines and the NF-κB signaling pathway were found as the main mechanisms.
The polyphenol-enriched fraction (FMF) demonstrated significant free radical scavenging activities and protected HepG2/Hepa1-6 cells from hydrogen peroxide-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and apoptosis in vitro.
Free-radical-scavenging properties of different solvent extracts from Microcos paniculata were investigated using DPPH, ABTS, and Co(II) EDTA-induced luminol chemiluminescence assays. The ethyl acetate (EtOAc) extract exhibited the most significant free-radical-scavenging activity compared to the other extracts (n-BuOH, water, and petroleum ether).
APAP-intoxicated mice pretreated with FMF showed increased nuclear accumulation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor (Nrf2) and elevated hepatic expression of its target genes, NQO1 and HO-1. These findings indicate that FMF possesses hepatoprotective effects against APAP-induced hepatotoxicity mainly through dual modification of the ROS/MAPKs/apoptosis axis and Nrf2-mediated antioxidant response, which may be attributed to the strong antioxidant activity of phenolic components.
The methanol extract of Microctis Folium and its principal compounds vitexin, isovitexin, and isorhamnetin 3-O-β-D-rutinoside were investigated for their α-glucosidase inhibitory effects. The extract showed strong α-glucosidase inhibitory effect (IC50 = 61.30 μg/mL) and the three flavonoid glycosides exerted satisfactory α-glucosidase inhibitory effects, with IC50 values of 244.0 μM, 266.2 μM, and 275.4 μM, respectively.
Pharmacological studies and clinical applications have shown that MF exhibits lipid-lowering, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, analgesic, and gastrointestinal motility-promoting effects. Among the bioactive compounds, flavonoids and alkaloids have demonstrated lipid-lowering and hepatoprotective activities through mechanisms such as modulating lipid metabolism, inhibiting lipid peroxidation, and reducing inflammatory responses. Rutin and vitexin have demonstrated lipid-lowering properties by improving hepatic lipid metabolism.
When evaluated for their effects on human α3β4 or α4β2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), several alkaloid compounds were shown to be active as nAChR antagonists. Microgrewiapine A was found to be a selective cytotoxic agent for colon cancer cells over normal colon cells, and to exhibit nicotinic receptor antagonistic activity.
Important note on evidence strength: The overwhelming majority of existing scientific evidence for Microcos paniculata is derived from in vitro (cell-based) and in vivo (animal) studies. As of the most recent peer-reviewed literature, no controlled clinical trials in human populations have been published demonstrating efficacy for any specific indication. All pharmacological findings described below are therefore preliminary and cannot be directly extrapolated to clinical use in humans.
Preclinical evidence (animal/cell studies); strength: moderate for in vitro/in vivo, no human data.
Leaves of Microcos paniculata have been traditionally used for treating upper airway infections, by virtue of their content of apigenin C-glycosides (ACGs). C-glycosides have been shown to exert strong anti-inflammatory properties. Using the experimental model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury (ALI) in BALB/c mice, ACGs from M. paniculata inhibited lung inflammation.
ACGs reduced pulmonary edema and microvascular permeability, demonstrating dose-dependent down-regulation of LPS-induced TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β expression in lung tissue and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, along with reduced apoptosis. Mice undergoing ALI were treated with ACGs at doses of 10, 20, and 40 mg/kg.
For analgesic activity, the extract of dried leaves of Microcos paniculata L. revealed significant writhing inhibition in acetic acid-induced writhing in mice at oral doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg of body weight, comparable to the standard drug diclofenac sodium at the dose of 25 mg/kg of body weight.
Preclinical evidence (animal/cell studies); strength: moderate for in vitro/in vivo, no human data.
Wu H et al. (2017) studied Folium Microcos (FM), which is derived from the leaves of Microcos paniculata L., and exhibits antioxidant capabilities and inhibition of α-glucosidase. Their research aimed to evaluate the hepatoprotective effects and the mechanisms involved in the polyphenol-rich fraction (FMF) obtained from Folium Microcos. FMF demonstrated significant free radical scavenging activities and protected HepG2/Hepa1-6 cells from hydrogen peroxide-induced ROS production and apoptosis in vitro. The antioxidant effects and protective properties were further confirmed by reducing APAP-induced liver damage.
HPLC analysis revealed the four predominantly phenolic compounds in FMF: narcissin, isorhamnetin-3-O-β-D-glucoside, isovitexin, and vitexin. These findings indicate that FMF possesses a hepatoprotective effect against APAP-induced hepatotoxicity mainly through dual modification of the ROS/MAPKs/apoptosis axis and Nrf2-mediated antioxidant response, attributable to the strong antioxidant activity of phenolic components. This study was conducted in murine models and has not been replicated in human clinical trials.
Preclinical evidence (animal studies); strength: preliminary, no human data.
Microcos paniculata is traditionally used for treating diarrhea. An investigation into hydromethanol (HMPB) and petroleum benzene extract of Microcos paniculata barks (PBMPB) to evaluate their antinociceptive and antidiarrheal activities suggested that both extracts might possess antinociceptive and antidiarrheal activity. However, further quantitative chemical studies are needed to isolate and determine the structure of the active constituents.
The Fruit Chloroform Extract (FCE) at 200 and 400 mg/kg produced a significant (P<0.05 vs. control) reduction in total number of diarrheal feces in castor oil- and magnesium sulphate-induced diarrheal models.
Preclinical evidence (animal studies); strength: preliminary, no human data.
MPL leaves, fruits, barks, and roots extracts showed cardiovascular protective and blood lipids-reducing activities. One study found that a 95% alcohol extract of MPL leaves (7.8 g/kg, administered intragastrically) effectively reduced total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG) levels in mice with hyperlipidemia after 7 days of therapy. According to another study, the total alkaloid fraction from MPL leaves may alter blood lipids through additional mechanisms.
Chen YF (2013) investigated the protective effects of total flavones derived from Microcos paniculata (TFMP) against acute myocardial ischemia. Eleven compounds were isolated from the effectively protective fraction, identified as vitexin, isovitexin, isorhamnetin, kaempferol, quercetin, 5,6,7,8,4'-pentamethoxyflavone, nobiletin, vanillic acid, caffeic acid, ferulic acid, and erucicamide. This was an in vivo study in rats, not a human trial.
Preclinical evidence (enzymatic/cell assays); strength: preliminary in vitro, no human data.
Microctis Folium, the leaves of Microcos paniculata L., is a commonly used herbal tea material. The methanol extract of Microctis Folium and its principal compounds vitexin, isovitexin, and isorhamnetin 3-O-β-D-rutinoside were investigated for their α-glucosidase inhibitory effects. The extract showed strong α-glucosidase inhibitory effect (IC50 = 61.30 μg/mL) and the three flavonoid glycosides exerted satisfactory α-glucosidase inhibitory effects, with IC50 values of 244.0 μM, 266.2 μM, and 275.4 μM, respectively. A simple and reliable HPLC-DAD method was developed for the quantification of the three flavonoid glycosides in Microctis Folium. All findings are based on enzymatic assays and have not been validated in human clinical trials.
Preclinical evidence (in vitro/in vivo); strength: preliminary.
Literature review revealed several activities, including analgesic, antimicrobial, neuropharmacological, α-glucosidase inhibition, brine shrimp lethality, free radical scavenging, antipyretic, nicotinic receptor antagonistic, larvicidal, cytotoxic, insecticidal, anti-inflammatory, and antidiarrheal activities. No controlled human trials examining antimicrobial efficacy have been published.
Preclinical evidence (cell line studies only); strength: very preliminary, no animal or human data for efficacy.
Three new piperidine alkaloids, microgrewiapines A–C, as well as three known compounds including microcosamine A and liriodenine, were isolated from chloroform-soluble extracts of the stem bark, branches, and leaves of M. paniculata. Compounds 1–6 and microgrewiapine A 3-acetate showed a range of cytotoxicity values against the HT-29 human colon cancer cell line.
Compound microgrewiapine A (1) was found to be the most active in inhibiting the proliferation of HT-29 cancer cells, with an IC50 value of 6.8 μM. Screening against CCD-112CoN normal colon cells resulted in an IC50 value of 30.4 μM. Therefore, the selectivity ratio of compound 1 for cancerous colon cells versus normal colon cells was found to be approximately 4. These findings are limited to isolated cell line studies and cannot be interpreted as evidence of clinical anticancer activity.
Preclinical evidence (animal studies); strength: preliminary.
Significant decreases in locomotor activities were observed with FCE (fruit chloroform extract) at 200 and 400 mg/kg in both open field and hole cross tests. In acute oral toxicity studies, no mortality, signs of toxicity, or behavioral changes were noticed at doses up to 4,000 mg/kg. In open field tests, a gradual decrease of movement was found at leaf water extract 200 mg/kg, and 400 mg/kg exhibited both depressive and anti-depressive activities. These findings come from preclinical rodent models only.
MPL leaves, fruits, barks, and roots extracts showed antidiarrheal, antimicrobial and insecticidal, anti-inflammation, hepatoprotective, cardiovascular protective, blood lipids reducing, analgesic, jaundice-relieving, and antipyretic activities. Based on the totality of published research, Microcos paniculata has been associated with the following body systems:
The key flavonoid constituents vitexin and isovitexin exhibit therapeutic potential across multiple biological systems, including the immune, nervous, respiratory, cardiovascular, and endocrine systems, through antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antibacterial, and neuroprotective mechanisms.
No standardized human clinical dosages have been established for Microcos paniculata. The following are dosages reported exclusively in preclinical (animal) study publications:
Microctis Folium, the leaves of Microcos paniculata L., is a commonly used herbal tea material. The methanol extract of Microctis Folium and its principal compounds vitexin, isovitexin, and isorhamnetin 3-O-β-D-rutinoside were investigated for their α-glucosidase inhibitory effects. In the context of herbal tea use, the plant is consumed as an infusion of dried leaves, but the quantity used in traditional preparations has not been standardized in the published pharmacological literature reviewed here.
The safety and activity of Microcos paniculata fruit was evaluated using chloroform as a solvent through application of OECD guidelines. Mortality, signs of any toxicity, or behavioral changes were not observed up to the dose as high as 4,000 mg/kg.
An assessment of the safety profile of water extract of Microcos paniculata leaves (LWE) following OECD guidelines found that in acute oral toxicity study, mortality, signs of any toxicity, or behavioral changes were not noticed as doses increased up to 4,000 mg/kg.
The aqueous leaf extract was found to be safe in brine shrimp lethality bioassay, with an LC50 value of 17,889.19 μg/mL.
Significant decreases in locomotor activities were observed with the fruit chloroform extract at 200 and 400 mg/kg in both open field and hole cross tests. This CNS depressant signal observed in animal models warrants attention when considering combination with centrally acting medications, though no human data exist on this interaction.
A significant safety and quality concern relevant to users of Microcos paniculata products is adulteration. In an analysis of Five Flowers Tea samples from Hong Kong, ten adulterants and the existence of insect Lasioderma serricorne were confirmed by DNA barcoding techniques. Reported adulterants of Microctis Folium include Microcos chungii (Merr.) Chun and Mallotus furetianus, identified using ITS2 sequence as a barcode.
The quality traits and quality evaluation of Microctis Folium have not been studied deeply; researchers should further investigate bioactive constituents of Microctis Folium and establish quality control standards accordingly.
Results indicated that it was of great importance to apply quality control of prepared Microctis Folium slices, and a robust and simple method for their quantitative determination was presented, which should be beneficial for the quality control of MF and its derived products.
No published controlled human studies have evaluated the safety or tolerability of standardized extracts of Microcos paniculata at defined doses. In order to incorporate Microcos paniculata into clinical practice and fully grasp its therapeutic potential, additional study is necessary. The available preclinical toxicology data are reassuring at the doses tested in animals, but these findings cannot be directly translated to human safety profiles without properly designed clinical trials.
Previous research into this species has mainly focused on its chemical composition and medicinal value. However, the lack of a reference genome limits the study of the molecular mechanisms of active compounds in this species. A significant genomic advance was recently achieved: Microcos paniculata is a shrub used traditionally as folk medicine and to make herbal teas. Previous research into this species has mainly focused on its chemical composition and medicinal value.
A comprehensive review published in the Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines aimed to summarize the traditional uses, botany, phytochemistry, pharmacological bioactivity, quality control, toxicology, and potential mechanisms of MPL. Additionally, the review highlighted the existing research gaps in knowledge and provided a foundation for further investigations on this plant.
Key research gaps include: (1) the absence of controlled human clinical trials for any indication; (2) incomplete standardization of the active-constituent profile across geographic sources; (3) limited pharmacokinetic data in humans; (4) absence of drug interaction data; and (5) need for further quality-control methodology development to differentiate authentic Microctis Folium from adulterants.
Health conditions that Microcos may help support.
Body systems that Microcos may help support.
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