Chinaberry Bark
Melia azedarach
Bark of the chinaberry tree, whose compound toosendanin was developed in China as a roundworm medicine. The plant is toxic: toosendanin damages the liver, and chinaberry has poisoned many kinds of animals.
What is Chinaberry Bark?
- Plant family
- Meliaceae, the mahogany family
- Parts used
- The bark (and the fruit of the related Melia toosendan)
- Where it grows
- Asia; planted as an ornamental tree worldwide
- Genus
- Melia
- Species
- azedarach
Also called
Chinaberry, Chinaberry Tree, White Cedar, Pride of India, Indian Lilac
Older scientific names
Melia toosendan
Traditionally used for
- Roundworms (historical)
- Gut parasites (traditional)
Traditionally described as
Health topics
Where Chinaberry Bark appears in symptom search, and why. Being listed doesn't mean it's a proven treatment.
- Liver Safety Warnings
Its main compound, toosendanin, damages the liver; Melia fruit has been reported to cause liver injury.
- SIBO and Intestinal Parasites
Toosendanin was developed in China as a roundworm medicine, but it's toxic to the liver.
Traditions that use it
Traditional Chinese Medicine
Melia has long been recorded in Chinese medical books; its compound toosendanin was developed into a roundworm medicine. It's toxic to the liver.
Safety
Toxicity testing
Toosendanin, the main active compound, is also the main toxic one. It damages the liver, and this liver injury limits its medical use. Melia toosendan fruit has been reported to cause liver damage.[1]
Chinaberry poisoning has been reported in horses, cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, dogs, rabbits and poultry. Its toxins (meliatoxins), which are most concentrated in the fruit, irritate the gut and damage the liver and kidneys.[2]
What does the research say?
Traditional use
These are traditional uses, not proven treatments.
The chinaberry tree has long been recorded in traditional Chinese medical books. In China, toosendanin, a compound from Melia azedarach and Melia toosendan, was developed into a medicine to expel roundworms (ascaris). The fruit of Melia toosendan is used to "regulate qi", soothe the liver and expel gut parasites.[3]
Laboratory & animal research
Lab and animal results show what might be worth studying in people. They don't show that the herb has these effects in humans.
In lab and mouse studies, compounds isolated from the bark slowed liver cancer. This hasn't been tested in people.[4]
In research studies, toosendanin has shown anticancer, antiviral and antiparasitic activity. Its use as a roundworm medicine has declined as roundworm infections have become less common.[3]
In short
Toxic: its main compound damages the liver, and its fruit has poisoned animals.
Sources
- [1] Toosendanin Induces Hepatotoxicity by Facilitating ALOX5-Mediated Lipid Peroxidation and Sensitizing Cells to Ferroptosis · DOI: 10.3390/ph18071078Peer-reviewed study
- [2] Emerging Plant Intoxications in Domestic Animals: A European Perspective · DOI: 10.3390/toxins15070442Peer-reviewed study
- [3] Therapeutic potential of toosendanin: Novel applications of an old ascaris repellent as a drug candidate · DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115541Peer-reviewed study
- [4] Anti-Hepatocarcinoma Activity and Mechanism of Isosendanin and Its Novel Structural Analogues Isolated from the Bark of Melia azedarach L.: In Vitro and In Vivo Studies · DOI: 10.3390/antiox15050562Peer-reviewed study
This information is educational and traditional in nature, and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.