Herb Profile

Plumbago Zeylanica

Plumbago zeylanica

Plumbago Zeylanica (Plumbago zeylanica) carries a Grade C rating — limited evidence.

Last reviewed: 3 sources citedReport a correctionProfile-wide ·C Limited

Use extra caution Irritant naphthoquinones may damage mucosa/skin at high exposure. Details

Evidence
Limited Evidence
Typical onset
Varies by prep
Safety rating
High caution
Best for
Anti Inflammatory, Digestive Support, Antimicrobial, Stress resilience
Avoid / review if
Pregnancy/Breastfeeding Without Clinician Supervision, Known Allergy To The Plant/Family, Potential Interaction Concern With Immunosuppressants
Plumbago Zeylanica monograph visual
Generated profile category visual

At a glance

From this profile's structured data
Evidence
Grade C
Safety
Irritant naphthoquinones may damage mucosa/skin at high exposure.
Profile context
anti_inflammatory, digestive_support, antimicrobial
Next steps

Continue reading

Safety

Safety & Cautions

Irritant naphthoquinones may damage mucosa/skin at high exposure. Avoid pregnancy and internal high dose use.

High caution

Caution level: High. Multiple caution categories apply, or the record uses avoid/contraindication language.

  • Interaction-AwareMedication or interaction context is explicitly noted.
  • Pregnancy/Breastfeeding CautionPregnancy or breastfeeding caution language is present.
Detailed safety fields

Pregnancy, breastfeeding, and contraindications

  • Pregnancy/Breastfeeding Without Clinician Supervision
  • Known Allergy To The Plant/Family
  • Potential Interaction Concern With Immunosuppressants
  • Use Clinician Review For High Dose Extracts Or Chronic Use.

Safety classifications

  • Interaction-Aware: Medication or interaction context is explicitly noted.
  • Pregnancy/Breastfeeding Caution: Pregnancy or breastfeeding caution language is present.

Full safety note

  • Irritant naphthoquinones may damage mucosa/skin at high exposure. Avoid pregnancy and internal high dose use.

Safety labels

  • Interaction-Aware
  • Pregnancy/Breastfeeding Caution

Evidence

Evidence Summary

Evidence lens

Read as directional context, not settled clinical proof.

LimitedLimited Evidence

Human clinical evidence: Not the primary signal

Mechanistic / preclinical: Mechanism mappedOxidative Stress Modulation · NF KB Modulation

Research maturity: Theoretical / mechanistic researchMechanistic or unresolved evidence is kept separate from established human outcomes.

Safety boundary: Safety note availableIrritant naphthoquinones may damage mucosa/skin at high exposure.

This profile cites 3 human studies.

How evidence grades work

Each grade reflects the strength and consistency of published human evidence — not marketing claims. Grades are based on study count, design quality, effect size, consistency, and recency.

Strong
Multiple RCTs, consistent direction, adequate effect size
Moderate
Some RCTs or consistent observational data in humans
Preliminary / Mixed
Animal or in-vitro only, or conflicting human data
Traditional / Theoretical
Traditional use only; no controlled human trials
Clinical Study Summaries (3)0 human evidence sources · 0 human trials · Participant totals not consistently reported · Consistency not yet classifiable

What the evidence actually shows

This table contains 3 structured sources, including 0 human evidence sources; 0 are human trials.

StudyDesignNDoseDurationPopulationOutcomeResult & magnitudeSource

Plumbagin ameliorates LPS-induced acute lung injury by regulating PI3K/AKT/mTOR and Keap1-Nrf2/HO-1 signalling pathways

Liu Z et al. · J Cell Mol Med · 2024

Background
Other / unclear

The study design is not yet classified clearly enough to infer its place in the evidence hierarchy.

PubMed

Purification and structural characterization of two polysaccharides with anti-inflammatory activities from Plumbago zeylanica L

Zhang X et al. · Int J Biol Macromol · 2024

Background
Other / unclear

The study design is not yet classified clearly enough to infer its place in the evidence hierarchy.

PubMed

Plumbagin alleviates muscle atrophy in female mice through inhibiting the DANCR/NF-κB axis

Liu Y et al. · Phytomedicine · 2025

Background
Other / unclear

The study design is not yet classified clearly enough to infer its place in the evidence hierarchy.

PubMed

Dosing & Timing

No standardized dose
Preparation specific; use standardized product label for Preparation varies by tradition and product form and require source backed dosage review before therapeutic claims.
How Plumbago Zeylanica works

Simplified mechanism pathway based on preclinical and pharmacological evidence. Does not confirm clinical efficacy.

Mechanism Pathway — How Plumbago Zeylanica Works

How Plumbago Zeylanica WorksPlumbago Zeylanica acts on biological target pathways via antioxidant, leading to anti inflammatory.Plumbago ZeylanicaBiological TargetBiological pathwayAntioxidantAnti InflammatoryObservable outcomeNF KB InhibitionParallel pathway
CompoundTarget / ReceptorMechanismEffect / Outcome
Mechanisms & biological pathways (preclinical)
  • Oxidative Stress Modulation
  • NF KB Modulation

Active Compounds

Key constituents studied in Plumbago Zeylanica, with full pharmacology and safety profiles.

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Compare & Sourcing

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Safety first · Harm reduction

This information is educational and not medical advice. Start low, avoid risky combinations, and consult a licensed clinician before making health decisions—especially if you use medications, have diagnosed conditions, or are pregnant/breastfeeding.

Learn how we evaluate confidence, safety, and intensity on the methodology page.

Editorial Review

Checked against primary sources, cited evidence, and contraindication language before publication. Evidence claims, safety language, and affiliate modules are reviewed independently. Not personal medical advice.

Editorial Standards →

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