Supplement
East Indian globe thistle is a flowering plant used in traditional Indian medicine, whose extracts contain plant compounds that influence hormone-related enzymes and inflammation. People mostly look at it for muscle strength and testosterone, and two trials in young men found a blend with mango bark extract improved bench press, grip strength and endurance over 8 weeks. The evidence is limited, because those trials tested a blend rather than the plant alone, and most other findings come from animal or lab work.
Sources: PMID 38765822; PMID 36794013
- Updated
- How we grade
- 12 studies cited
- Best evidence
- Grade C
- Conditions studied
- 3
- Outcomes
- 7
- Graded outcomes
- 0034
Evidence by condition
- Strong
- Moderate
- Limited
- Very limited
General
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Testosterone Levels In rats, S. indicus petroleum ether extract inhibited 5α-reductase and increased serum testosterone dose-dependently, with potency comparable to dutasteride. Multiple RCTs (n=40, n=99, n=60) of a proprietary S. indicus + Mangifera indica blend showed 19–20% increases in total and free testosterone vs baseline in healthy men. Note: human trials used a blend, not S. indicus alone, limiting attribution. | Improves (the measure goes up) | Moderate effect | 4 studies | 199 people | ||
Studies that measured testosterone levels
| ||||||
| Skin Inflammation (Psoriasis) A Phase II RCT (n=74) of oral S. indicus extract (Tinefcon) in moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis found 65% of high-dose (2.8 g/day) patients achieved PASI-50 and 40% achieved PASI-75 at 12 weeks. In vitro, standardized extract NPS31807 dose-dependently reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β) from macrophages and keratinocytes, inhibited NFκB/AP-1 transcription, STAT3 phosphorylation, and keratinocyte proliferation/migration. | Improves (the measure goes down) | Moderate effect | 3 studies | 74 people | ||
Studies that measured skin inflammation (psoriasis)
| ||||||
| Anticancer Activity In vitro, petroleum ether extract and isolated compounds (β-sitosterol, 7-hydroxyfrullanolide, cryptomeridiol) showed cytotoxicity against multiple cancer cell lines (HL-60, A549, HeLa, HEP-2, MCF-7, colorectal). 7-Hydroxyfrullanolide inhibited colorectal cancer growth via p53-dependent and -independent mechanisms in vitro and in a syngeneic mouse model. Silver nanoparticles with cryptomeridiol showed IC50 comparable to 5-fluorouracil against hepatocellular carcinoma cells. All data is preclinical. | Changes; see studies | Small effect | 5 studies | |||
Studies that measured anticancer activity
| ||||||
| 5α-Reductase Inhibition (BPH) In rats with testosterone-induced prostatic hypertrophy, S. indicus petroleum ether extract (75 mg/kg) attenuated prostate/body weight ratio increases and decreased PSA levels comparably to dutasteride. In vitro assays confirmed 5α-reductase inhibitory activity across multiple extract fractions. | Improves (the measure goes down) | Moderate effect | 2 studies | |||
Studies that measured 5α-reductase inhibition (bph) | ||||||
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muscle Strength and Exercise Performance Two RCTs of a proprietary S. indicus + Mangifera indica blend in young healthy men found significant improvements in bench press (+27.6 kg vs +4.95 kg placebo), leg press, handgrip strength, and treadmill endurance over 8 weeks. The blend also improved lean body mass and reduced cortisol. Note: human trials used a botanical blend, not S. indicus alone. | Improves (the measure goes up) | Moderate effect | 3 studies | 139 people | ||
Studies that measured muscle strength and exercise performance
| ||||||
Acute Kidney Injury
- Nephroprotection (Drug-Induced Kidney Injury): improves
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nephroprotection (Drug-Induced Kidney Injury) In a rat model of cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity, ethanol extract of S. indicus (150 and 300 mg/kg) significantly reduced elevated serum creatinine and urea levels, restored renal antioxidant enzymes (SOD, catalase, GPx, GSH), and reduced lipid peroxidation. Effects attributed to the plant's antioxidant potential. | Improves (the measure goes down) | Moderate effect | 3 studies | |||
Studies that measured nephroprotection (drug-induced kidney injury) | ||||||
Allergic Diseases (General)
- Mast Cell Stabilization (Anti-allergic): changes; see studies
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mast Cell Stabilization (Anti-allergic) In an animal/in vitro study, ethanol and ethyl acetate extracts of S. indicus showed 77–88% protection against mast cell degranulation induced by compound 48/80 and sheep serum, slightly exceeding the standard drug ketotifen (69–75%). Suggests potent mast cell stabilizing activity comparable to established anti-allergic agents. | Changes; see studies | Moderate effect | 2 studies | |||
Studies that measured mast cell stabilization (anti-allergic) | ||||||
Key findings
- Testosterone LevelsImproves (the measure goes up)
- Skin Inflammation (Psoriasis)Improves (the measure goes down)
- Muscle Strength and Exercise PerformanceImproves (the measure goes up)
Shop East Indian globe thistle
Third-party tested East Indian globe thistle products. The evidence above is limited, so read it before you buy.
- Grade C
Links to Fullscript, iHerb or Thorne carry our referral, so we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Grades come from the research and never change based on what we earn. Fullscript asks for a free account before it shows its catalog and prices. Full disclosure
Studies cited
12 studies from PubMed
- Phytochemical and nanoparticle-based therapeutic potential of Sphaeranthus indicus against hepatocellular carcinoma via cryptomeridiol targeting
- A botanical extract blend of Mangifera indica and Sphaeranthus indicus combined with resistance exercise training improves muscle strength and endurance over exercise alone in young men: a randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled trial
- A proprietary blend of Sphaeranthus indicus flower head and Mangifera indica bark extracts increases muscle strength and enhances endurance in young male volunteers: a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial
- 7-hydroxyfrullanolide, isolated from Sphaeranthus indicus, inhibits colorectal cancer cell growth by p53-dependent and -independent mechanism
- Sphaeranthus indicus (East Indian Globe Thistle) - A promising natural remedy for psoriasis
- Sphaeranthus indicus induces apoptosis through mitochondrial-dependent pathway in HL-60 cells and exerts cytotoxic potential on several human cancer cell lines
- Effect of Sphaeranthus indicus on cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats
- Effect of ethanol extract of Sphaeranthus indicus on cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats
- Sphaeranthus indicus attenuates testosterone induced prostatic hypertrophy in albino rats
- Sphaeranthus indicus Linn.: A phytopharmacological review
- Mast cell stabilizing effects of Sphaeranthus indicus
- Cytotoxic activity of Sphaeranthus indicus extracts and 7-hydroxyfrullanolide