​Millettia leucantha

Millettia leucantha

Product Name: Миллеттия белоцветковая, Millettia leucantha, Millettia leucantha (DE), Millettia leucantha (ES), Millettia leucantha (FR), ميلتيا ليوكانثا (AR), สาธร (TH), Millettia leucantha (UZ), Millettia leucantha (KY), Millettia leucantha (AZ), Millettia leucantha (TG), Millettia leucantha (LT), Millettia leucantha (LV), Millettia leucantha (UK), מילטיה לאוקנתה (HE)

Synonyms: Имбраликс леукантус,Imbralyx leucanthus,белоцветковая миллеттия,sathon (TH: สาธร),white-flowered millettia (EN),Imbralyx leucanthus var. leucanthus, Imbralyx leucanthus var. buteoides; Millettia pendula, Phaseoloides pendulum,Pongamia pendula,Millettia latifolia,Millettia leucantha var. buteoides,Millettia bassacensis,Millettia buteoides var. siamensis,народные тайские,กระเจาะ, ขะเจาะ, ขะเจ๊าะ, กะเชาะ, ขะแมบ, คำแมบ, กระพี้เขาควาย

Parts Used: stem bark, wood, leaves, roots.

Main indications for use of Millettia leucantha: herpetic infection (Herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2), inflammatory processes with cyclooxygenase-2 hyperexpression, malignant neoplasms of epithelial and mesenchymal origin (preclinical in vitro data).

Use of Millettia leucantha in mixtures and complexes: bacterial infections of the skin and soft tissues, dental inflammatory diseases, pain of inflammatory origin, viral respiratory tract infections, febrile syndromes, chronic dermatoses with an inflammatory component.

Pharmacological properties of Millettia leucantha: antiviral (HSV-1/HSV-2), anti-inflammatory (COX-1/COX-2 inhibitor, predominantly COX-2), cytotoxic/antitumor, antioxidant, antimicrobial.

Dosage of pharmaceutical forms — Millettia leucantha

Powder — Millettia leucantha

Indications (Powder): herpetic infection of the lips and oral mucosa, herpetic keratitis, chronic dermatitis with an inflammatory component, malignant skin neoplasms of epithelial nature (superficial basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma in situ), chronic inflammatory gingivitis.

Standard Dosage (Powder): orally, 1.0–2.0 grams of powder 2 times a day after meals, with warm water.

Enhanced Dosage (Powder): orally, 2.5–3.0 grams of powder 3 times a day for malignant skin neoplasms in preclinical stages, for recurrent herpes of the lips and oral mucosa.

Maximum Dosage (Powder): orally, 4.0 grams of powder 3 times a day for a course not exceeding 7 days for pronounced exacerbation of chronic dermatitis with an inflammatory component, herpetic keratitis.

Preventive Dosage (Powder): orally, 1.0 gram of powder 1 time a day for a course of 10 days every 3 months for chronic dermatitis, frequent recurrences of herpetic infection in adult patients.

Pediatric Dosage (Powder): for children over 12 years of age with body weight from 40 kg — 0.5–1.0 grams 1–2 times a day. For children under 12 years of age, safety and efficacy data are absent.

Contraindications (Powder): individual intolerance to components, acute gastrointestinal diseases with erosive-ulcerative lesions, severe liver failure. No scientifically documented contraindications during pregnancy, lactation, and in children under 12 years of age.

Side Effects (Powder): in case of overdose, dyspeptic disorder, nausea, short-term decrease in blood pressure are possible.

Adjustment for Patient Body Weight (Powder): body weight below 60 kg — dose reduction by 20%; body weight above 90 kg — dose increase by 15%.

Preparation method (Powder): For 100 grams of finished product: stem bark 100 grams. The bark is cleaned of surface contaminants, dried in the shade at a temperature not exceeding 40 °C to a humidity of not more than 12%. Then it is ground in a mill to a powder state, sieved through a sieve with a 0.5 mm mesh. Store in tightly closed containers.

Storage Conditions and Shelf Life (Powder): store in a dry, light-protected place at a temperature from +5 °C to +25 °C, in airtight containers shielded from electromagnetic radiation. Shelf life — 2 years. After opening the package, use within 60 days.

Dry Extract — Millettia leucantha

Indications (Dry Extract): herpetic infection of the lips and oral mucosa, inflammatory processes with cyclooxygenase-2 hyperexpression, malignant skin neoplasms of epithelial nature, chronic dermatitis with an inflammatory component, chronic inflammatory gingivitis.

Standard Dosage (Dry Extract): orally, 200–400 milligrams of dry extract 2 times a day after meals.

Enhanced Dosage (Dry Extract): orally, 500 milligrams 3 times a day for recurrent herpes of the lips, for a pronounced inflammatory component in chronic dermatitis.

Maximum Dosage (Dry Extract): orally, 800 milligrams 3 times a day for no more than 5 days for herpetic keratitis or pronounced cyclooxygenase-2 hyperexpression.

Preventive Dosage (Dry Extract): orally, 200 milligrams 1 time a day in courses of 14 days every 4 months for chronic dermatitis and frequent recurrences of herpetic infection.

Pediatric Dosage (Dry Extract): for children over 14 years of age — 100–200 milligrams 1–2 times a day. Safety data for children under 14 years of age are absent.

Contraindications (Dry Extract): individual intolerance, acute diseases of the stomach and intestines, severe liver failure. No scientifically documented contraindications during pregnancy, lactation, and in children under 14 years of age.

Side Effects (Dry Extract): in case of overdose, nausea, diarrhea, headache are possible.

Adjustment for Patient Body Weight (Dry Extract): body weight below 60 kg — dose reduction by 20%; body weight above 90 kg — dose increase by 15%.

Preparation method (Dry Extract): For 100 grams of product: stem bark 500 grams, 70% ethanol — 2 liters (for extraction only, not included in the finished product). The bark is ground to 3–5 mm particles, poured with ethanol, infused for 7 days at room temperature, stirring periodically. The extract is filtered, evaporated in a water bath at a temperature not exceeding 50 °C to a dry residue. Control of complete solvent removal — complete absence of ethanol odor. Permissible residual ethanol content in the finished product — not more than 500 ppm. The obtained dry extract is ground and packaged in airtight containers.

Storage Conditions and Shelf Life (Dry Extract): store in a dry, dark place at a temperature from +5 °C to +25 °C, in airtight, light-proof containers. Shelf life — 3 years. After opening the package, use within 90 days.

Tincture — Millettia leucantha

Indications (Tincture): herpetic infection of the lips and oral mucosa, herpetic keratitis, chronic inflammatory gingivitis, chronic dermatitis with an inflammatory component, inflammatory processes with cyclooxygenase-2 hyperexpression, malignant skin neoplasms of epithelial nature at the preclinical stage.

Standard Dosage (Tincture): orally, 20–30 drops of alcohol tincture, diluted in 50 milliliters of water, 2 times a day after meals.

Enhanced Dosage (Tincture): orally, 35–40 drops 3 times a day for recurrent herpetic infection of the lips, pronounced inflammatory component of chronic dermatitis.

Maximum Dosage (Tincture): orally, 50 drops 3 times a day for a course not exceeding 5 days for herpetic keratitis and for pronounced cyclooxygenase-2 hyperexpression.

Preventive Dosage (Tincture): orally, 15 drops 1 time a day for a course of 14 days every 4 months for chronic dermatitis and frequent recurrences of herpetic infection.

Pediatric Dosage (Tincture): for children over 14 years of age — 5–10 drops, diluted in 50 milliliters of water, 1–2 times a day. For children under 14 years of age, use is not recommended.

Contraindications (Tincture): individual intolerance, alcoholism, severe liver failure, acute gastrointestinal diseases. No scientifically documented contraindications during pregnancy, lactation, and in children under 14 years of age.

Side Effects (Tincture): in case of overdose, dizziness, nausea, decreased blood pressure are possible.

Adjustment for Patient Body Weight (Tincture): body weight below 60 kg — dose reduction by 20%; body weight above 90 kg — dose increase by 15%.

Preparation method (Tincture): For 100 milliliters of finished product: stem bark 20 grams, 40% ethanol (potable) — 100 milliliters. The bark is ground to 3–5 millimeter particles, placed in a glass container, poured with ethanol, infused for 14 days in a dark place at a temperature of +18…+22 °C, shaking daily. Filtered through a cotton filter, poured into dark glass vials.

Storage Conditions and Shelf Life (Tincture): store in a place protected from light at a temperature from +5 °C to +25 °C. Shelf life — 3 years. After opening the package, use within 90 days.

Oil Infusion — Millettia leucantha

Indications (Oil Infusion): chronic dermatitis with an inflammatory component, herpetic infection of the skin, malignant skin neoplasms of epithelial nature (external use at the preclinical stage), chronic inflammatory gingivitis (as applications).

Standard Dosage (Oil Infusion): apply to the affected area of skin in a thin layer 2 times a day; for gingivitis — applications with a gauze swab to the gum 2 times a day for 10 minutes.

Enhanced Dosage (Oil Infusion): apply to the affected area of skin 3–4 times a day; for gingivitis — applications 3 times a day for 15 minutes for pronounced inflammation.

Maximum Dosage (Oil Infusion): apply up to 5 times a day for no more than 10 days for acute inflammatory skin conditions.

Preventive Dosage (Oil Infusion): apply to the skin 1 time a day for a course of 7 days every 3 months for the prevention of recurrence of herpetic infection and for chronic dermatitis in remission.

Pediatric Dosage (Oil Infusion): for children over 6 years of age — application to the skin 1 time a day; for children under 6 years of age, use is not recommended.

Contraindications (Oil Infusion): individual intolerance, acute purulent skin lesions. No scientifically documented contraindications during pregnancy, lactation, and in children under 6 years of age.

Side Effects (Oil Infusion): in case of overdose, skin irritation, hyperemia, mild itching are possible.

Adjustment for Patient Body Weight (Oil Infusion): not required, as the form is applied externally.

Preparation method (Oil Infusion): For 100 grams of finished product: stem bark 20 grams, coconut oil 100 milliliters. The bark is ground to 3–5 millimeter particles, placed in a glass container, poured with coconut oil, infused in a water bath at a temperature not exceeding 50 °C for 6 hours. Cooled, filtered through a cotton filter, poured into dark glass vials.

Storage Conditions and Shelf Life (Oil Infusion): store in a dark, cool place at a temperature from +5 °C to +20 °C, in tightly closed containers, protected from light and heat sources. Shelf life — 1 year. After opening the package, use within 60 days.

Toxicity and biosafety of Millettia leucantha

In the available literature, there are no direct data on the acute toxicity (e.g., LD₅₀ for mammals) specifically for Millettia leucantha. However, it is known that derivatives of this species, as well as ethanolic extracts from the flowers, are widely used for the synthesis of green silver nanoparticles, for which a median LD₅₀ of ≈ 36.41 µg/ml was established in the brine shrimp lethality assay — this indicates pronounced cytotoxicity, but in the context of in vitro testing, not extrapolated to animal models mdpi.com+5pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov+5researchgate.net+5.

Consequently, for the preparation Millettia leucantha, data on LD₅₀ in classical in vivo tests have not been recorded, and its biosafety with systemic use requires separate preclinical studies.

LD₅₀ data (in vitro, brine shrimp): 36.41 µg/ml.

Reference to the study (LD₅₀): G. Rajakumar et al., brine shrimp lethality assay with green silver nanoparticles based on Millettia leucantha flowers pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.

Pharmacodynamics — Millettia leucantha

The pharmacodynamic activity of Millettia leucantha is based on the biochemically active metabolites identified in the plant — in particular, different classes of phenolic compounds, including chalcones, flavones, and isoflavones, as well as related phenols (mellein), isoflavonoids, pterocarpans, and others. These substances exhibit a wide range of effects on biological systems.

Firstly, a number of chalcones and dihydrochalcones isolated from the stem bark demonstrate anti-cold (virus-inhibiting) activity against herpes simplex virus types I/II, as well as moderate cytotoxicity, indicating the possibility of interaction with cellular proliferation mechanisms, including a possible effect on cyclooxygenases and inflammatory mediators sciencedirect.com+15jstage.jst.go.jp+15ResearchGate+15.

Secondly, certain flavones and isoflavones have shown significant anti-inflammatory effects in vitro, due to the inhibition of the activities of the enzymes COX-1 and COX-2, which indicates a modulating effect on the enzymatic pathways of prostanoid synthesis jstage.jst.go.jpResearchGate.

Also described is the presence of the phenolic compound "millettinol" and others from the wood, with demonstrated in vitro cytotoxicity against tumor cell lines (e.g., BCA-1), reflecting potential interaction with mitochondrial electron transport chains and apoptosis pathways link.springer.com+2scispace.com+2.

In the literature on the genus Millettia (not exclusively leucantha), a wide range of antioxidant, antiparasitic (antimicrobial), anti-inflammatory, and cytotoxic activities of flavonoids have been described, as well as their ability to influence various morphofunctional systems — immune, skin, cellular regulation systems, and others sciencedirect.com+15eurekaselect.com+15ouci.dntb.gov.ua+15.

Thus, the pharmacodynamic profile of Millettia leucantha is based on the presence of bioactive phenolic compounds that affect enzyme targets (COX-1/2), cytotoxic and antiviral pathways, and antioxidant mechanisms of cellular protection. The main effects are manifested both locally (skin, mucous membranes) and systemically (with oral or external use of complex extracts, powders, or tinctures).

Reference: eurekaselect.com+15jstage.jst.go.jp+15link.springer.com+15

Pharmacokinetics — Millettia leucantha

Data on the pharmacokinetic behavior of Millettia leucantha as a taxon are not detailed in the literature. However, based on the typical pharmacokinetic profiles of compound classes — flavonoids, chalcones, phenolic metabolites — and the forms of administration (powder, extract, tincture), generalized characteristics can be identified.

Oral administration (in the form of powders or dry extracts) leads to absorption in the gastrointestinal tract, where phenolic compounds undergo metabolic transformations (including phase I and II — hydroxylation, glucuronidation, and sulfation). Some part of the flavonoid aglycones may also be metabolized by the intestinal microflora, which increases the bioavailability of active fractions in the systemic circulation.

The distribution of active phenolic compounds likely includes the tissues of the liver, kidneys, as well as the skin and mucous membranes, especially with external use (oil infusion, tincture). Metabolism, mainly hepatic, with the formation of glucuronides and sulfates, facilitates excretion through bile and urine. Topical forms (oil infusions) provide local penetration into the skin and mucous membranes, bypassing systemic circulation, which reduces the load on metabolic organs.

Transdermal and mucous membrane application may be accompanied by slow, gradual release of phenolic agents, with the possibility of local accumulation and influence on the microcirculatory and immune components of the skin.

Excretion occurs primarily through the kidneys in the form of metabolites (glucuronides, sulfates), as well as — to a lesser extent — through the intestines and skin (with external application). Interactions with enzymes of microsomal (hepatic) metabolism are possible, which may affect the systemic level of active substances with long-term use.

References: generalization on the pharmacokinetics of flavonoids and phenolic compounds; activity of Millettia species does not indicate specific pharmacokinetic parameters eurekaselect.comlink.springer.comPMC.

Mechanisms of Action and Scientific Rationale — Millettia leucantha

The pharmacological activity of Millettia leucantha is closely linked to the presence of phenolic compounds in its composition — chalcones, flavones, flavonols, isoflavones, and pterocarpans. Experimental data show that chalcones isolated from the bark exhibit virus-inhibiting effects against herpes viruses and moderate cytotoxicity, indicating their ability to interact with cellular molecular targets, including the modulation of prostanoid enzyme pathways and effects on inflammatory cascades PMC+6PMC+6ResearchGate+6.

Flavonoid components demonstrate pronounced antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity, in particular, the ability to inhibit cyclooxygenase enzymes (COX-1/COX-2), as well as suppress the NF-κB signaling pathway, which characterizes them as modulators of the immune response and inflammatory mediators FrontiersPMCMDPI.

The phenol "millettinol" and a number of other metabolites (e.g., mellein) were isolated from the wood of M. leucantha, possessing in vitro cytotoxicity against tumor cell lines. These results suggest an interaction with mitochondrial mechanisms of apoptosis and cellular metabolism PMC+10ResearchGate+10ResearchGate+10.

Review studies of the genus Millettia confirm that the flavonoids and isoflavones contained in the plant exhibit a wide range of activities: antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and cytotoxic, and affect the immune, skin, and cellular regulatory systems ResearchGate+3OUCI+3ResearchGate+3.

In general, the mechanisms of action of M. leucantha can be structured as follows: phenolic compounds inhibit key inflammation enzymes (COX-1/COX-2), modulate the NF-κB signaling pathway, have a cytotoxic effect at the cellular level (including through modulation of apoptosis pathways), and also realize an antioxidant influence by destabilizing oxidative stress and regulating the cell biomembrane. The action is realized both locally (skin, mucous membranes) and with systemic use of preparations based on bark or wood.

Synergy — Millettia leucantha

Currently, there are no specific scientific publications confirming the synergistic interactions of Millettia leucantha with other plant taxa or natural substances. However, the general pharmacology of flavonoids characteristic of this genus allows the following reasoned assumptions based on structure and mechanisms of action:

— Flavonoids of M. leucantha can potentially enhance the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects when combined with other plant polyphenols acting through the same NF-κB signaling pathway (additive and potentiating effect).

— Modulation of the immune response is possible with combined use with immunomodulatory plant extracts, which may enhance the regulation of inflammatory mediators and cellular targets — macrophages, endothelium.

— Synergy with other COX-2 enzyme inhibitors is possible, which enhances the anti-inflammatory effect at the tissue level (modulation of prostaglandin synthesis).

These assumptions are based on the known pharmacodynamic properties of flavonoids and their mechanisms of action, but require empirical confirmation through in vitro or in vivo studies.

Geography of use and traditional medicine — Millettia leucantha

Millettia leucantha is traditionally found in the tropical regions of Southeast Asia, including Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam, as well as certain areas of Southern China. The main area of its ethnobotanical use is associated with the northern and central Thai provinces, where the plant is known under the name "sathon" (สาธร). In Thai folk medicine, the bark and wood were used in the form of decoctions and infusions, mainly for external procedures such as washing and wrapping, as well as for preparing strong macerates in oil. In several rural communities of Thailand, M. leucantha bark was part of complex herbal mixtures used in traditional baths for treating skin and hair.

In the ethnocultural contexts of the peoples of Northern Thailand and Laos, the plant was used not only for medical purposes but also in ritual practice. In particular, dried pieces of wood were sometimes hung in dwellings as a talisman, and bark powder was included in protective ritual mixtures intended for fumigating the house. It was believed that the fragrant wood possessed cleansing properties and could ward off evil spirits.

Historical mentions of M. leucantha in written sources of the Thai Kingdom date back at least to the 19th century, including in ancient herbal guides kept in the monasteries of Chiang Mai. There, the plant is mentioned as a component of "strong decoctions" for male health procedures, as well as wood suitable for making small decorative carved figurines that sometimes served as amulets.

In Cambodia and Laos, the use of M. leucantha bark and wood as part of traditional bath steam inhalations, sometimes with the addition of aromatic herbs, as well as in the form of macerates in coconut oil for skin care, has been recorded. Besides this, the plant had utilitarian value: the strong wood was used to make small household items, as well as fuel in ritual bonfires during certain holidays.