- How It Works
- Purported Uses
- Research Evidence
- Patient Warnings
- Do Not Take If
- Side Effects
- Special Point
- Dosage (Inside MSKCC Only)
Scientific Name
Arctium majus, Arctium lappa
Common Name
Lappa, edible burdock, gobo, wild gobo, happy major
Clinical Summary
Derived from the root or seeds of the plant. Historically, burdock has been used as a diuretic and to lower blood sugar. It is used to treat anorexia, psoriasis, acne, gout, cancer and HIV, although no published clinical studies have evaluated these claims (1) (2). The active components in this supplement are thought to be arctiin and arctigenin, lignans that have been found to reduce pro-inflammatory factors in vitro (3) (4). A clinical study found that the topical application of a formulation containing burdock extract significantly improved dermal extracellular matrix metabolism and visibly reduced wrinkles (4). Another clinical study found that a mixture of burdock fruit (fructus arctii) and astralagus root reduced urinary protein and albumin, and improved lipid metabolism and post-prandial blood glucose in patients with diabetic nephropathy (5). Animal studies indicate possible hepatoprotective effects (6) and hypoglycemic effects. Patients should be warned against combining with insulin and hypoglycemics.
Cases of burdock tea contaminated with belladonna alkaloids have been reported in the United States (7).
Purported Uses
- Anorexia
- Arthritis
- Cancer treatment
- Diabetes
- Eczema
- HIV and AIDS
- Microbial infection
- Promote urination
- Psoriasis
- Wrinkle reduction
Constituents
- Acids: Acetic, butyric, caffeic, chlorogenic, trans-2-hexenoic, isovaleric, lauric, linoleic, propionic, stearic acid
- Aldehydes: Acetaldehyde, benzaldehyde, butyraldehyde, isovaleraldehyde, and valeraldehyde
- Carbohydrates: Inulin, mucilage, pectin
- Flavonols: Kaempferol, quercetin
- Polyacetylenes
- Other constituents: Volatile oils, sesquiterpene lactone (arctiopicrin), bitters (lappatin), arctiin, arctigenin (3) (4), phytosterols (sitosterol and stigmasterol), tannins
(1)
Mechanism of Action
The exact mechanism of action is unknown. In vitro studies have shown the polyacetylene component to have antibacterial and fungistatic properties. In vitro studies have also found that arctiin and arctigenin potently inhibit the pro-inflammatory factors, nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) (3) (4). Animal studies have shown the root extract to induce hypoglycemia and increase carbohydrate tolerance, stimulant uterine smooth muscle, and have antimutagenic activity. The lignan and sesquiterpene extracts have been shown to inhibit platelet activating factor (PAF) in vitro. In mice, the tannin extract has induced macrophage response (2) (8). Burdock has hepatoprotective effects in rats due to its antioxidative activity (6).
Warnings
Burdock tea has been contaminated with belladonna alkaloids (atropine). Products should be certified against contamination.
Contraindications
Patients allergic to chrysanthemums may exhibit cross-sensitivity to burdock.
Burdock may cause uterine stimulation and should be avoided by pregnant women.
(7)
Herb-Drug Interactions
Hypoglycemics: Theoretically, large doses of burdock may have an additive effect.
Literature Summary and Critique
Knott A, et al. Natural Arctium lappa fruit extract improves the clinical signs of aging skin. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2008 Dec;7(4):281-9.
The goal of this study was to identify an active ingredient with anti-inflammatory and dermal matrix stimulating activity for use in a clinical trial studying its effect on the clinical signs of aging skin. In vitro assays with human dermal fibroblasts and monocyte-derived dendritic cells treated with pure arctiin displayed a stimulation in collagen synthesis and decrease in the proinflammatory factors IL-6 and TNF-a, compared to control cells. Topical in vivo application of a formulation containing A. lappa extract for 12 weeks (n=6), found that it significantly increased procollagen synthesis (p=0.01), and hyaluron synthase-2 expression (p<0.05), and improved hyaluron levels, compared to vehicle-treated areas. Treatment with an A. lappa containing formulation for 4 weeks was also found to significantly reduced “crow's feet” wrinkle volume around the eyes (p=0.05; n=38), as compared to treatment with the vehicle.
Wang HY, et al. Clinical observation on treatment of diabetic nephropathy with compound fructus arctii mixture. Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi. 2004 Jul;24(7):589-92.
This controlled clinical trial investigated the effect of a fructus arctii mixture (FAM) (fructus arctii and astralagus root) in treating patients with diabetic neuropathy. In this study, 31 patients were given FAM and a group of 23 patients receiving Losartan served as the control group. Both groups of patients received FAM for 3 months. During the study, clinical symptoms, blood glucose, lipid metabolism, and urinary albumin were monitored. Study results indicated that patients who received FAM had significantly improved clinical symptoms, urinary protein and albumin, and lipid metabolism (p<0.05), whereas patients in the control group only experienced a significant improvement in urinary albumin level (p<0.05). The authors concluded that FAM was effective in reducing urinary albumin and 24 hour urinary protein, and it also improved post-prandial blood glucose and lipid metabolism.
References
- Newall CA, et al. Herbal Medicines: A Guide for Health-Care Professionals. London: Pharmaceutical Press; 1996.
- Foster S, et al. Tyler's Honest Herbal: A Sensible Guide to the Use of Herbs and Related Remedies. New York: Hawthorn Herbal Press; 1999.
- Zhao F, Wang L, Liu K. In vitro anti-inflammatory effects of arctigenin, a lignan from Arctium lappa L., through inhibition on iNOS pathway. J Ethnopharmacol. 2009 Apr 21;122(3):457-62.
- Knott A, Reuschlein K, Mielke H, et al. Natural Arctium lappa fruit extract improves the clinical signs of aging skin. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2008 Dec;7(4):281-9.
- Wang HY, Chen YP. Clinical observation on treatment of diabetic nephropathy with compound fructus arctii mixture. Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi. 2004 Jul;24(7):589-92.
- Lin SC, et al. Hepatoprotective effects of Arctium lappa Linne on liver injuries induced by chronic ethanol consumption and potentiated by carbon tetrachloride. J Biomed Sci 2002 Sep-Oct;9(5):401-9.
- Bryson PD. Burdock root tea poisoning. Case report involving a commercial preparation. JAMA 1978;239:2157.
- Tamayo C, et al. The chemistry and biological acitivity of herbs used in Flor-essence herbal tonic and Essiac. Phytother Res 2000;14:1-14.
How It Works
Bottom Line: There is NO proof that burdock can treat cancer, infections, diabetes, or other medical conditions.
Burdock extract comes from the root or seeds of the plant. Scientists are not sure how this herb works. Certain components of burdock are able to stop the growth of bacteria and fungi in the test tube. In animal experiments, the root extract lowers blood sugar, stimulates uterine contractions, induces an immune response, and protects against DNA mutations. However, none of these effects have been shown to occur in the human body.
Purported Uses
- To treat cancer
No scientific evidence supports this use. - To lower blood sugar in diabetes
Although studies in animals show this effect. Studies in animals have shown this effect. One small study found that burdock reduced proteinuria and improved post-meal blood glucose levels and lipid metabolism in patients with diabetic nephropathy. - To treat eczema and psoriasis
No scientific evidence supports this use. - To treat HIV and AIDS
No scientific evidence supports this use. - To treat microbial infections
Although certain compounds in burdock are able to stop the growth of bacteria and fungi in the test tube, laboratory results are not always transferable to the human body. There is no proof from clinical trials that burdock can treat infections. - To promote urination
No scientific evidence supports this use. - To reduce wrinkle
One clinical study found that application of a cream containing burdock extract improved the appearance of wrinkled skin. However, more studies are needed to confirm this effect.
Research Evidence
Aging
The goal of this study was to identify an active ingredient with anti-inflammatory and dermal matrix stimulating activity to treat clinical signs of aging skin. Treatment with a burdock containing formulation for 4 weeks was found to significantly reduce “crow's feet” wrinkle volume around the eyes in the 6 patients of the study.
Diabetic nephropathy
In this study, 31 patients with diabetic nephropathy were given FAM (a mixture of Fructus arctii and astralagus root) for three months, and 23 patients receiving Losartan served as the control group. During the study, clinical symptoms, blood glucose, lipid metabolism, and urinary albumin were monitored. Study results indicated that patients who received FAM had significantly improved clinical symptoms, urinary protein and albumin, and lipid metabolism, whereas patients in the control group only experienced improvement in urinary albumin level. The authors concluded that FAM was effective in reducing urinary albumin and 24 hour urinary protein; it also improved post-prandial blood glucose and lipid metabolism.
Patient Warnings
- Some burdock teas are contaminated with alkaloids from the belladonna plant (i.e., atropine), which can cause undesired nervous system effects. Make sure that products are certified against contamination.
Do Not Take If
- You are pregnant (Burdock may stimulate the uterus and increase the risk of premature delivery).
- You are taking hypoglycemic medication for diabetes (Based on data from animal studies, large doses of burdock may lower your blood sugar even further.)
Side Effects
- Although no side effects have been reported in humans, burdock induced low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) in animal experiments.
Special Point
Burdock is one of the ingredients in the herbal tea Essiac.
Dosage (Inside MSKCC Only)
This field is only visible to only Inside MSKCC users.
Aliases
Arctium Majus
E-mail your questions and comments to aboutherbs@mskcc.org.
