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Butea Monosperma

Butea monosperma is a tropical tree, nicknamed flame of the forest, whose flowers and bark are used in traditional medicine and contain antioxidant flavonoids. People mostly look at it for bone health, and the evidence is limited: plant compounds encouraged bone-building cells to mature in lab studies and preserved bone density in rats modeling menopause. Nearly all of it was lab or animal work, so human results remain unknown.

Sources: PMID 20378548; PMID 22174099

Best evidence
Grade C
Conditions studied
2
Outcomes
4
Graded outcomes
0013

Evidence by condition

  • Strong
  • Moderate
  • Limited
  • Very limited

2 conditions, plus general outcomes

Bone Health

Bone Health: outcomes studied for Butea Monosperma
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Bone Mineral Density

In vitro studies show cajanin (10nM) and medicarpin (6nM) promote osteoblast differentiation and mineralization with potency comparable to or exceeding 17β-estradiol. In ovariectomized rat models of postmenopausal osteoporosis, these compounds preserved bone mineral density and improved bone microarchitecture. Medicarpin acts through non-estrogenic mechanisms, potentially allowing bone benefits without hormonal side effects.

Improves (the measure goes up)Moderate effect5 studies

Studies that measured bone mineral density

General

General: outcomes studied for Butea Monosperma
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Blood Glucose

In diabetic rodent models, Butea monosperma bark extract reduced blood glucose levels. The mechanism remains uncharacterized but may involve improved insulin sensitivity or reduced glucose absorption. No human data exist.

Improves (the measure goes down)Small effect3 studies

Studies that measured blood glucose

Liver Protection

In rodent models of CCl4-induced liver damage, Butea monosperma flower and bark extracts demonstrated hepatoprotective activity, attributed to antioxidant flavonoid content. No human trials have been conducted.

Improves (the measure goes up)Small effect3 studies

Studies that measured liver protection

Antioxidant Status

Antioxidant Status: outcomes studied for Butea Monosperma
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Antioxidant Status

In preclinical studies, the flavonoid-rich extracts of Butea monosperma showed antioxidant activity, which is proposed to underlie its hepatoprotective and cytoprotective effects. Evidence is limited to in vitro and animal models.

Improves (the measure goes up)Small effect3 studies

Studies that measured antioxidant status

Key findings

  • Bone Mineral DensityBone HealthImproves (the measure goes up)
  • Blood GlucoseImproves (the measure goes down)
  • Liver ProtectionImproves (the measure goes up)

Shop Butea Monosperma

Third-party tested Butea Monosperma products. The evidence above is limited, so read it before you buy.

  • Grade C

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Studies cited

5 studies from PubMed

  1. A novel compound cajaninstilbene acid maintains bone mass in ovariectomized mice by regulating osteoblast differentiationJ Bone Miner Res, 2012 · PMID 22174099
  2. Butea monosperma: A comprehensive reviewPharmacogn Rev, 2011 · PMID 21684313
  3. Medicarpin, a legume phytoalexin, stimulates osteoblast differentiation and promotes bone regenerationMol Nutr Food Res, 2010 · PMID 20378548
  4. Cajanin, a naturally occurring isoflavone, stimulates osteoblast differentiation and inhibits receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand-induced osteoclastogenesisPhytomedicine, 2010 · PMID 19778694
  5. Antidiabetic activity of Butea monosperma (Lam.) Kuntze bark extract in alloxan induced diabetic ratsJ Ethnopharmacol, 2009 · PMID 17097236