Supplement
Loquat is a fruit tree whose leaf and seed extracts contain plant compounds, such as triterpene acids and flavonoids, that appear to influence how cells handle sugar. People mostly look at it for blood glucose, and the evidence is limited: in diabetic rodents, extracts lowered blood glucose, improved glucose tolerance and eased insulin resistance. Nearly all of this comes from animal and lab studies, so its meaning for people is unclear.
Sources: PMID 30867526; PMID 3174854
- Updated
- How we grade
- 19 studies cited
- Best evidence
- Grade C
- Conditions studied
- 6
- Outcomes
- 7
- Graded outcomes
- 0016
Evidence by condition
- Strong
- Moderate
- Limited
- Very limited
General
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anti-inflammatory Effects In animal models of acute and chronic inflammation, loquat leaf extract reduced leukocyte infiltration, paw edema, and hyperalgesia. Ursolic acid suppressed hepatic oxidative stress and AGE formation in diabetic mice via the LKB1/AMPK/FOXO3 pathway. In vitro studies show inhibition of phospholipase A2, COX-2, and iNOS expression. | Improves (the measure goes down) | Moderate effect | 4 studies | |||
Studies that measured anti-inflammatory effects
| ||||||
Antioxidant Status
- Antioxidant Status: improves
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant Status In vitro studies demonstrate that loquat leaf flavonoids (quercetin, kaempferol glycosides, chlorogenic acid) inhibit free radical generation and lipid peroxidation. In animal NASH models, seed extract enhanced antioxidant enzyme activity and reduced oxidative DNA and lipid damage markers (8-OHdG, 4-HNE). | Improves (the measure goes up) | Small effect | 4 studies | |||
Studies that measured antioxidant status
| ||||||
Asthma
- Respiratory Function and Cough Suppression: improves
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Respiratory Function and Cough Suppression In mouse models, loquat leaf aqueous and ethanol extracts demonstrated antitussive and expectorant activities. In ovalbumin-induced asthma models, leaf extract reduced airway inflammation, mucus production, and inflammatory mediators (IL-4, IL-13, IgE). Triterpene acids showed anti-oxidative effects in chronic bronchitis rat models. Supports traditional TCM use but no human trials exist. | Improves (the measure goes up) | Moderate effect | 3 studies | |||
Studies that measured respiratory function and cough suppression | ||||||
Cardiovascular Health
- Cholesterol and Lipid Levels: improves
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cholesterol and Lipid Levels One small human RCT using a combination product (loquat + olive leaf extract) showed 14.3% cholesterol reduction with supplement alone and 24% with statin co-administration over 3 months. Animal studies show triterpene acid and flavonoid fractions reduce total cholesterol and triglycerides in diabetic models. Human evidence is confounded by combination product. | Improves (the measure goes down) | Small effect | 3 studies | 41 people | ||
Studies that measured cholesterol and lipid levels
| ||||||
Age-Associated Memory Impairment and Cognitive Decline (AAMCD)
- Cognitive Function: improves
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cognitive Function A single 12-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in 75 healthy adolescents found that 1.5 g/day of loquat leaf ethanol extract significantly improved total K-MMSE scores (p=0.043) and memory subscale scores (p=0.014) compared to placebo. No adverse events were reported. | Improves (the measure goes up) | Small effect | 1 study | 75 people | ||
Studies that measured cognitive function | ||||||
Allergic Rhinitis (Seasonal Allergies / Hay Fever)
- Allergic Rhinitis Symptoms: improves
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allergic Rhinitis Symptoms A single 4-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in 27 healthy adults found that 2.5 g/day of loquat leaf supplement significantly reduced itchy nose, itchy eyes, and eye symptoms compared to placebo. Anti-allergic activity attributed to ursolic acid, oleanolic acid, and related triterpenoids. | Improves (the measure goes down) | Small effect | 1 study | 27 people | ||
Studies that measured allergic rhinitis symptoms | ||||||
Key findings
- Blood Glucose RegulationImproves (the measure goes down)
- Anti-inflammatory EffectsImproves (the measure goes down)
- Antioxidant StatusImproves (the measure goes up)
Safety notes in the studies
- No adverse events were reported.
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- Grade C
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Studies cited
19 studies from PubMed
- Protective mechanisms of loquat leaf extract and ursolic acid against diabetic pro-inflammation
- Traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and toxicity of Eriobotrya japonica leaves: A summary
- Eriobotrya japonica leaf water extract in the treatment of cough variant asthma
- Anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic activity in extract from the leaves of Eriobotrya japonica
- Eriobotrya japonica leaf extract attenuates airway inflammation in ovalbumin-induced mice model of asthma
- Corosolic acid isolated from Eriobotrya japonica leaves reduces glucose level in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells, zebrafish and rats
- Effect of Loquat Leaf Extract on Muscle Strength, Muscle Mass, and Muscle Function in Healthy Adults
- Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of Eriobotrya japonica leaves extracts
- Evaluation of the antimutagenic, antigenotoxic, and antioxidant activities of Eriobotrya japonica leaves
- Tormentic acid, a major component of suspension cells of Eriobotrya japonica, suppresses high-fat diet-induced diabetes and hyperlipidemia
- Effects of Eriobotrya japonica seed extract on oxidative stress in rats with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis
- Hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of the total triterpene acid fraction from Folium Eriobotryae
- Hypoglycemic effect of the total flavonoid fraction from folium Eriobotryae
- Cinchonain Ib isolated from Eriobotrya japonica induces insulin secretion in vitro and in vivo
- Hypoglycemic activity of Eriobotrya japonica seeds in type 2 diabetic rats and mice
- Anti-oxidative effect of triterpene acids of Eriobotrya japonica leaf in chronic bronchitis rats
- Antioxidant flavonoids and chlorogenic acid from the leaves of Eriobotrya japonica
- Hypoglycemic effects of sesquiterpene glycosides and polyhydroxylated triterpenoids of Eriobotrya japonica
- Effect of Eriobotrya japonica on blood glucose levels of normal and alloxan-diabetic rabbits