Nandina

Other Names

Bambou sacréBambou sacré de ChineBambù sacro cineseChinese sacred bambooGartennandineHeavenly bambooHoly bambooNan tian zhuNan-tian-zhu-genNan-tian-zhu-yeNan-tian-zhu-ziNandenNandinNandina denudataNandina domesticaNandina domestica albaNandina domestica f. albaNandina domestica f. giganteaNandina domestica f. longifoliaNandina domestica f. purpureaNandina domestica Thunb.Nandina domestica var. linearifoliaNandina domestica var. longifoliaNandina tomentosaNandina tsermonantenNantenNantian zhuSacred bambooTian-zhu-zi南天南天竹

Synopsis

Nandina (Nandina domestica Thunb.): A Comprehensive Reference

1. Identity, Botanical Classification, and Common Forms

Botanical name: Nandina domestica Thunb. Family: Berberidaceae. Common names: Heavenly bamboo, sacred bamboo, nanten (Japanese: ナンテン; Chinese: 南天竺, nántiānzhú).

Nandina domestica Thunb. belongs to the family Berberidaceae and is widely distributed in China, Japan, India, and Korea. Despite its common names, Nandina domestica is not a true bamboo but rather is closely related to Podophyllum species (May apple) and Berberis species (Barberry). As evergreen or deciduous woody shrubs, Nandina have erect stems and 2–3 times pinnately compound leaves with elliptic leaflets; leaves turn red-purple in the fall. The inflorescence is a panicle with numerous, small, cream-white flowers. Berries are orange-red, with 1–3 seeds.

N. domestica is frequently used in gardening as a landscape shrub. As a medicinal ingredient, different plant parts — roots, stems, leaves, and fruits — are each employed. The fruits are dried and used in decoctions and as a raw ingredient in prepared products. A throat lozenge called Nanten-nodo-ame, which contains extracts of the fruit of N. domestica, is being sold in the Japanese market. In Chinese traditional practice, the plant parts are typically administered as aqueous decoctions or combined herbal formulae.

The family Nandinaceae (encompassing the monotypic genus Nandina) is rich in various benzylisoquinoline alkaloids (BIAs), including berberine, palmatine (PAL), jatrorrhizine, coptisine, magnoflorine, domesticine, nandinine, and protopine. A steroidal alkaloid, nandsterine, is also found in the fruit.

2. Traditional and Historical Use

China

Nandina domestica Thunb. is a traditional Chinese herbal drug that has long been used in China and Japan for the treatment of colds, fevers, asthma, chronic bronchitis, conjunctivitis, whooping cough, pharyngeal tumors, etc.

In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), its roots, stems, leaves, and fruits are used for clearing away heat and dampness, relieving cough and resolving phlegm, which is applied to treat symptoms such as cold and fever, whooping cough, asthma, chronic bronchitis, etc. The leaves are known to be effective in clearing away heat and inducing dampness, diarrhea, and detoxification, which primarily treat lung-heat cough, whooping cough, febrile gonorrhea, and blood in urine.

N. domestica's fruits are sour and sweet in taste, and poisonous. Despite their toxicity, they are used to astringe the lung for relieving cough and reduce asthma. In Chinese medicine, they are used clinically to cure prolonged cough, wheezing, and whooping cough.

In the "Jiangxi Province Chinese medicine concoction specification," the fruit of N. domestica was reported to have the effect of clearing the liver and brightening the eyes and was used for the treatment of malaria and skin ulcers. Furthermore, the roots, stems, leaves, and seeds of N. domestica are traditionally employed in China as folk medicine for the treatment of colds, fevers, asthma, chronic bronchitis, conjunctivitis, and whooping cough.

Traditional Chinese multi-herb combinations also utilized N. domestica in combination formulae. The combination of the stem and branches of N. domestica and the fibers of the mature fruits of Luffa cylindrica, in addition to the pericarps of Lagenaria siceraria, is described as very effective in the treatment of acute and chronic nephritis. The fruits of N. domestica, the tuberous roots of Stemona japonica, and the pericarps of Cynanchum rostellatum are combined for the treatment of acute and chronic or persistent prolonged cough, paroxysmal cough, coughing with no phlegm in severe coughing, and difficult coughing with little phlegm.

Japan

In Japan, the leaves, stems, and fruits of N. domestica are applied as folk medicine. The fruits, also called "nantenjitsu," have been used to treat respiratory ailments such as asthma, whooping cough, and pharyngeal tumors. Additionally, the fruits are used to calm down inebriated people and treat impotence. Furthermore, the fruits are regarded as a therapeutic tonic that helped restore the neurological system's equilibrium. A decoction of the leaves is ingested to treat fish and shrimp poisoning. The branches and leaves are reported to prolong life, and tuberculosis patients are treated with the roots' aqueous extract.

Korea

In Korean folk medicine, the leaves are used to treat whooping cough, hematuria, and bruises. The fruits are effective in nourishing yin, clearing heat and tonifying qi, and are commonly used as a cough suppressant.

3. Key Constituents and Active Compounds

Published data have reported at least 366 constituents from N. domestica, including alkaloids, flavonoids, lignans, terpenoids, phenolic acids and their derivatives, fatty acids, and others. Of these, the isoquinoline alkaloids are considered characteristic markers for N. domestica. These alkaloids also showed the most promising bioactivities.

Alkaloids

Alkaloids are a class comprising many pharmacologically active constituents. Thus far, 66 alkaloids have been found in stems, fruits, and roots of N. domestica. Depending on their chemical structure, these alkaloids can be categorized as: isoquinoline alkaloids, indole alkaloids, pyridine alkaloids, organic amine alkaloids, steroidal alkaloids, and pyrrole alkaloids.

The isoquinoline alkaloid backbones are primarily made up of berberine-type (1–15), protoberberine (16–22), aporphine (23–46), morphinandienone (47–49), and tetrahydroisoquinoline (50–51) subclasses.

Nantenine is one of the most pharmacologically studied alkaloids from this plant. Nantenine is an aporphine alkaloid derived from the plant Nandina domestica Thunb. (Berberidaceae). Aporphine-type alkaloids, like nantenine and domesticine, have been documented to exhibit cytotoxicity against human tumor cells.

Protopine is another major isoquinoline alkaloid. Protopine has been identified as an activator of the p53 pathway. It increased p53-mediated transcriptional activity and promoted p53 phosphorylation at the Ser15 residue, resulting in stabilization of p53 protein. Moreover, protopine up-regulated the expression of p21WAF1/CIP1 and BAX, downstream genes of p53, and inhibited the proliferation of HCT116 colon cancer cells.

Berberine and related protoberberines — including palmatine, jatrorrhizine, coptisine, and magnoflorine — are also present. Also present are various protoberberine alkaloids of unknown toxic significance. The best known of these alkaloids is berberine, which is known to have anticholinesterase activity and causes smooth muscle relaxation and hypotension.

Nandsterine is a steroidal alkaloid uniquely found in N. domestica. A new alkaloid, nandsterine, isolated from the fruits, demonstrated cytotoxicity against human leukemia HL-60 cells with IC50 values of 52.1 μM.

Higenamine (also called norcoclaurine) is a benzylisoquinoline alkaloid found in the fruits. The alkaloid higenamine exists in Nandina domestica. It is also present in several other Berberidaceae plants.

Flavonoids and Biflavonoids

Amentoflavone and robustaflavone are biflavones isolated from the leaves and fruits. Amentoflavone was isolated from the leaves and fruits, and demonstrated notable antioxidant property and was able to inhibit the growth of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Under the guidance of anti-inflammatory activity, robustaflavone, a biflavone, was extracted from the methanol extract of N. domestica fruits.

The fruits have also been found to contain anthocyanins. Fruits were discovered to contain anthocyanins including cyanidin 3-xylosylglucoside, pelargonidin 3-glucoside, and pelargonidin 3-xylosylglucoside.

Lignans

Only eight lignans have been isolated and identified from N. domestica, making this class comparatively less studied than the alkaloids and flavonoids.

Terpenoids

Sesquiterpenoids can be distinguished on the basis of backbone differences in their biosynthesis. The predominant skeletal types of sesquiterpenes isolated from N. domestica are the megastigmane-type and eudesmane-type. Four new megastigmane glycosides, nandinamegastigmanes I–IV, were extracted from the methanol extract of the fruits.

Cyanogenic Compounds

Young shoots have been reported to furnish a novel cyanogenic glucoside, p-glucosyloxy-mandelonitrile. Additionally, a new cyanogenic compound, nandinin, was obtained from the methanol extract of young leaves.

Volatile Oil Constituents

The chemical composition of the essential oil from N. domestica fruits has been studied. Twenty-two compounds, representing 82.79% of the oil, were identified. The major compounds were 3-hexen-1-ol (12.9%), linalool (12.3%), 2-methoxy-4-vinylphenol (9.9%), oleic acid (8.0%), furfural (5.8%), and 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol (5.7%). The volatile oil of flowers consists mainly of oxygenated mono- and sesquiterpenes, and mono- and sesquiterpene hydrocarbons. The volatile oil of flowers was able to control food-borne pathogenic bacteria and agricultural plant diseases.

Caffeoyl Glucosides and Phenolic Acids

In LPS-mediated endothelial inflammatory responses elicited in human umbilical vein endothelial (HUVEC) cells, two caffeoyl glucosides, nandinaside A and nantenoside B, dose-dependently suppressed LPS-induced leukocyte hyperpermeability, adhesion, and migration on human endothelial cell monolayers.

4. Established and Proposed Mechanisms of Action

Respiratory Smooth Muscle Relaxation

The aqueous extract of fruits relaxed tracheal smooth muscles immediately through β-adrenergic receptor stimulation by higenamine and slowly through Ca2+ antagonism by nantenine. Taken together, the aqueous extract significantly inhibits the contraction of tracheal smooth muscle. However, further investigation is needed into the additional bioactive ingredients in the aqueous extract besides nantenine.

Although the fruit of N. domestica has been used to treat respiratory disorders such as coughing and breathing difficulty in Japan for many years, the mechanisms underlying its action were not fully characterized until laboratory investigations. In one study, the crude extract (NDE) and nantenine were investigated on contractile responses in isolated guinea pig tracheal ring preparations. NDE (1 mg/mL) caused a relaxation of tracheal smooth muscles but had little effect on the responsiveness of trachea to acetylcholine.

Anti-Inflammatory Pathways

Robustaflavone has been shown to reduce the production of nitric oxide (NO), pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), and IL-6. Western blot analysis showed that robustaflavone suppresses the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and downregulates the expression of LPS-induced nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and the phosphorylation of extracellular-regulated kinases (pERK 1/2). Moreover, it inhibited IL-8 release in LPS-induced human colonic epithelial cells (HT-29). These results suggest that robustaflavone could be a potential therapeutic candidate for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

To explore whether Nandina domestica extract (NDE) may alleviate respiratory inflammation, its effect on expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and production of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in human pulmonary epithelial A549 cells in culture was investigated. Treatment with lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 6 μg/mL) resulted in an increase of COX-2 expression and PGE2 production in A549 cells. Both the LPS-induced COX-2 expression and PGE2 production were significantly inhibited by NDE (1–10 μg/mL) in a concentration-dependent manner. NDE did not affect COX-1 expression nor COX activity. These results suggest that NDE downregulates LPS-induced COX-2 expression and inhibits PGE2 production in pulmonary epithelial cells.

Antitumor Mechanisms

Protopine, an isoquinoline alkaloid, prevented the growth of colon cancer cells by stabilizing p53, which in turn caused apoptosis and autophagy in colon cancer cells. Nandsterine, isolated from the fruits, demonstrated cytotoxicity against human leukemia HL-60 cells with IC50 values of 52.1 μM. Oxonantenine was remarkably cytotoxic to A549 cells with an IC50 value of 8.15 ± 0.34 μM. Nantenine and nornantenine were moderately cytotoxic to A549 cells with IC50 values of 58.94 ± 2.81 and 48.98 ± 2.57 μM, respectively. Two new pyrrole alkaloids, methyl-E-mangolamide and methyl-Z-mangolamide, demonstrated cell-induced death in adriamycin-treated HeLa cells, with P-glycoprotein inhibition potentially associated with the process of inducing cell death.

Antimicrobial Mechanisms

The bacteria morphology after nandina leaf extract treatment was found to be destroyed: cell walls and cell membranes were broken, and cytoplasm was constrained and spilled out. Nandina leaf extract showed high antibacterial activity through destroying the cell wall and changing the cell membrane permeability.

Neurological and Ion Channel Mechanisms

Nantenine has been demonstrated to exert a dose-dependent action on protecting the sodium (Na+)/potassium (K+) ATPase enzyme of synaptic membranes, which decreases Ca2+ ion influx into a cell. Nantenine activates Na+K+ ATPase, which decreases sodium ion inflow and maintains the sodium ion gradient across the neuronal membrane, preventing nerve ending depolarization and Ca2+ entrance into the neuron. It also inhibits Ca2+ influx in an isolated neural synaptic terminal, which adds to its anticonvulsant activity.

5. Scientific Evidence by Area of Use

Important general note: Most traditional uses are supported by biological activities demonstrated in modern experimental studies, suggesting a potential medicinal value of N. domestica. However, more information is needed on its mechanisms of activity, pharmacokinetic profile of the constituents, and its safety and efficacy profile in humans. The overwhelming majority of published research is preclinical — in vitro (cell culture) or animal-based — with no published controlled clinical trials (randomized controlled trials) in humans identified in the peer-reviewed literature as of 2024.

5.1 Respiratory System

Traditional basis: N. domestica has long been used therapeutically in China and Japan for treating lung-heat cough, whooping cough, wheezing, asthma, chronic bronchitis, and conjunctivitis.

Experimental evidence: In isolated guinea pig tracheal ring preparations, NDE (1 mg/mL) caused a relaxation of tracheal smooth muscles but had little effect on the responsiveness of the trachea to acetylcholine. This is an animal tissue (ex vivo) study; no human clinical data are available.

The decoction of medicinal herbs from nandina leaves has been used to treat chronic tracheitis in Chinese medicine. In one study designed to evaluate anti-asthma and antibacterial activities, the results showed that all samples tested were able to reduce the symptoms of asthma and inhibit the growth of bacteria. This study used a guinea pig asthma model; evidence strength is preclinical only.

Nandina leaves inhibit bacterial growth and prevent asthma through alkaloids and flavones, which had integrated function against chronic bronchitis. This conclusion was derived from an animal model study, not a human clinical trial.

Evidence strength: The respiratory evidence base is entirely preclinical (isolated tissue and animal model studies). No human clinical trials have been published.

5.2 Anti-Inflammatory Activity

Experimental evidence: A biflavonoid-type phytochemical, robustaflavone, was isolated from N. domestica fruits through bioactivity-guided fractionation based on its capacity to inhibit inflammation. The anti-inflammatory mechanism of robustaflavone isolated from N. domestica has not yet been fully studied. Its activities were evaluated using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Robustaflavone suppressed the expression of iNOS and COX-2, and down-regulated NF-κB expression and phosphorylation of pERK 1/2. All findings demonstrated that robustaflavone had anti-inflammatory properties.

Evidence strength: All anti-inflammatory evidence is derived from cell culture (in vitro) experiments. Clinical (human) data are absent.

5.3 Antimicrobial Activity

Experimental evidence: Amentoflavone, isolated from the leaves and fruits, demonstrated notable antioxidant property and was able to inhibit the growth of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Leaf extracts have been shown to have bactericidal effects against multiple pathogens in in vitro plate-based assays, with the ethyl acetate fraction — containing alkaloids and flavones — being the most active fraction. The bacteria morphology after nandina leaf extract treatment was found to be destroyed: cell walls and cell membranes were broken, and cytoplasm was constrained. Nandina leaf extract showed high antibacterial activity through destroying the cell wall and changing the cell membrane permeability. The volatile oil of flowers has also demonstrated control of food-borne pathogenic bacteria and agricultural plant pathogens.

Evidence strength: Entirely in vitro and laboratory-based; no human trials. Evidence for clinical antimicrobial use is not established.

5.4 Antioxidant Activity

The antioxidant activities of the fruit essential oil were evaluated using reducing power, metal chelating ability, and scavenging capacity against DPPH, ABTS, and superoxide anion free radical. The oil exhibited significant antioxidant activities. Amentoflavone displayed potent antioxidant activity on scavenging DPPH, ABTS, superoxide, and hydroxyl radicals in a concentration-dependent manner with inhibition ranging from 19.21% to 75.52%.

Evidence strength: Entirely in vitro biochemical assays. Clinical relevance has not been established.

5.5 Antitumor Activity

Experimental evidence: Multiple isolated alkaloids from N. domestica have demonstrated antitumor activity in cell-line assays. The tumor suppressor p53 plays essential roles in cellular protection mechanisms against stress stimuli and its activation induces apoptosis or autophagy in certain cancer cells. Protopine was identified as an activator of the p53 pathway from cell-based natural compound screening. It increased p53-mediated transcriptional activity and promoted p53 phosphorylation at the Ser15 residue, resulting in stabilization of p53 protein. Moreover, protopine up-regulated expression of p21WAF1/CIP1 and BAX and inhibited the proliferation of HCT116 colon cancer cells.

The study of antitumor activity showed that Launobine (1) produced a strong inhibitory effect on the growth of melanoma B16 cells (IC50 = 21.06 ± 0.78 μM).

Evidence strength: Entirely preclinical (in vitro and cell line studies). No human or animal tumor model studies have been identified in peer-reviewed sources. The clinical significance is entirely unknown.

5.6 Dermatological Activity

N. domestica has been found to be effective in the treatment of dermatophytic infections and solitary mastocytoma. Antifungal activity against skin infectious fungal pathogens has been attributed to the plant's essential oil and organic extracts.

Evidence strength: Preclinical and limited case observations. No controlled clinical trials in humans.

5.7 Neurological Activity

Experimental evidence: Nantenine activates Na+K+ ATPase, which decreases sodium ion inflow and maintains the sodium ion gradient across the neuronal membrane, preventing nerve ending depolarization and Ca2+ entrance into the neuron. It also inhibits Ca2+ influx in an isolated neural synaptic terminal, which adds to its anticonvulsant activity. These findings are from isolated preparation and cell studies.

Evidence strength: Preclinical (in vitro) only. No human studies.

6. Body Systems and Health Areas Associated with Nandina

Respiratory system: Cough suppression, antiasthmatic, antitussive, airway smooth muscle relaxation, treatment of chronic bronchitis, whooping cough, and asthma.
Immune / inflammatory response: Inhibition of NF-κB signaling, COX-2 suppression, cytokine modulation (IL-1β, IL-6), nitric oxide inhibition.
Antimicrobial: Antibacterial activity (alkaloids against Gram-positive pathogens; flavones against Gram-negative pathogens), antifungal (skin fungal pathogens).
Oncology (preclinical): Cytotoxicity against multiple cancer cell lines including HL-60, A549, HCT116, B16 melanoma, and HeLa cells via multiple mechanisms including p53 stabilization and P-glycoprotein inhibition.
Ocular / hepatic: Traditional use for conjunctivitis, clearing liver heat, and brightening the eyes as recorded in TCM texts.
Neurological: Ion channel modulation, anticonvulsant properties (nantenine).
Antioxidant: Free radical scavenging through flavonoids and essential oil constituents.
Renal: Traditional combination formulae for nephritis.

7. Dosage Forms and Reported Dosages

No standardized human dosage recommendations are established in peer-reviewed pharmacopeias or institutional bodies such as the WHO or European Medicines Agency (EMA) for Nandina domestica as of the most recent available literature. Dosages reported are exclusively from preclinical investigations:

Treatment with LPS at 6 μg/mL resulted in increase of COX-2 expression and PGE2 production in A549 cells; both were significantly inhibited by NDE at 1–10 μg/mL in a concentration-dependent manner. (Cell culture study.)
In isolated guinea pig tracheal ring preparations, NDE at 1 mg/mL caused a relaxation of tracheal smooth muscles. (Isolated tissue study.)
Nandsterine demonstrated cytotoxicity against HL-60 cells at IC50 = 52.1 μM; oxonantenine was cytotoxic to A549 cells at IC50 = 8.15 ± 0.34 μM; nantenine and nornantenine were moderately cytotoxic to A549 cells at IC50 values of 58.94 ± 2.81 and 48.98 ± 2.57 μM respectively. (Cell line studies.)
Nandsterine isolated from the fruits demonstrated cytotoxicity against human leukemia HL-60 cells with IC50 values of 52.1 μM. (Cell line study.)

In Japan, a throat lozenge called Nanten-nodo-ame, which contains extracts of the fruit of N. domestica, is commercially available, though standardized dosage information specific to the botanical ingredient in that product is not detailed in the peer-reviewed sources accessed.

The existing pharmacological activity studies have focused on the crude extracts or semi-purified constituents of various medicinal parts of N. domestica. There is a need for in-depth exploration of the pharmacological activities of isolated chemical constituents.

8. Safety Considerations

Fruit Toxicity in Humans

The fruit is considered poisonous when eaten raw, with nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain as side effects after ingestion. The plant is considered non-toxic in humans at ordinary exposure levels. If swallowed, mild gastrointestinal effects are possible but uncommon.

Cyanogenic Glycosides

Two cyanogenic glycosides, p-glucosyloxymandelonitrile and nandinin, have been identified from the leaves of N. domestica. The plant contains cyanogenic glycosides that produce cyanide when hydrolyzed in the digestive tract. Hydrocyanic acid binds to iron of cytochrome oxidase a3, leading to uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation.

Alkaloid Toxicology (Nandinine and Nantenine)

The toxic mechanisms of nandinine and nantenine remain unidentified. Reported effects in severe cases include numbness, convulsion, pulmonary haemorrhage, and even death.

Animal Toxicity — Species-Specific Risks

The plant is toxic to cats, dogs, birds, and grazing animals. It contains cyanogenic glycosides that produce cyanide when hydrolyzed in the digestive tract of these animals. Ruminants are more likely to be at risk from eating Nandina because they more readily hydrolyse the cyanogenic glycosides to hydrogen cyanide than do simple-stomached animals. Due to their voracious feeding behavior, Cedar Waxwing birds have been documented to die after eating toxic doses of N. domestica berries. N. domestica contains cyanide and is one of the few berries readily available in certain seasons. The gross and microscopic findings were consistent with lesions associated with cyanide toxicity. This paper documented toxicity associated with N. domestica in Cedar Waxwings.

Acute Toxicity in Laboratory Animals

In a mouse safety assessment, nandina leaf extract had no toxic effect on mice in tested doses. This was a preliminary animal safety study and does not directly translate to human safety data.

Current Gaps in Human Safety Data

The existing pharmacological activity studies have focused on crude extracts or semi-purified constituents of various medicinal parts of N. domestica. There is an identified need for in-depth exploration of pharmacological activities and, by extension, safety profiling of isolated constituents. More information is needed on its mechanisms of activity, pharmacokinetic profile of the constituents, and its safety and efficacy profile in humans.

Invasive Species Status

Nandina plants are considered invasive in the US. Its cultivation is discouraged in some states such as in the southeastern US, Maryland, and Texas.

9. Higenamine: A Notable Alkaloid with Regulatory Implications

The alkaloid higenamine is found in Nandina domestica, as well as in several other plant species. Higenamine is classified as a beta-2 adrenergic receptor agonist and has been detected in dietary supplements marketed for weight loss and sports performance. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has prohibited higenamine in competition; however, this regulatory dimension pertains to higenamine as a compound rather than to N. domestica as an ingredient per se, and the concentrations of higenamine contributed by N. domestica-based preparations specifically have not been independently quantified in peer-reviewed clinical literature accessible in these searches.

10. Research Gaps and Limitations of the Current Evidence Base

N. domestica is traditionally used for the treatment of asthma, chronic bronchitis, conjunctivitis, whooping cough, and pharyngeal tumors, etc. Existing pharmacological activity studies have demonstrated anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, as well as effects on the respiratory system. However, several major gaps limit the translational value of this research body:

No published randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or controlled observational studies in humans have been identified for any indication.
The existing pharmacological activity studies have focused on crude extracts or semi-purified constituents of various medicinal parts of N. domestica. There is a need for in-depth exploration of the pharmacological activities of isolated chemical constituents.
Nearly half of the components are detected from the volatile oil of N. domestica by GC-MS. The components in the volatile oil exist in the form of mixtures. There have been few investigations on the pharmacological properties of individual components in the volatile oil.
Pharmacokinetic data (absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion) for any constituent in humans are absent from the published literature.
Standardization of plant-part ratios, extraction methods, and bioactive constituent concentrations has not been established for commercial preparations.
Long-term safety studies in humans are completely absent.

References

Health Conditions

Health conditions that Nandina may help support.

No conditions available.

Body Systems

Body systems that Nandina may help support.

No body systems available.