​Pandanus amaryllifolius (Fragrant Screw-Pine)

Pandanus amaryllifolius (Fragrant Screw-Pine)

Product Name: Панданус душистый, Pandanus amaryllifolius, Duft-Pandanus, Pandano aromático, Pandan odorant, بندانوس العطري, บานดานัสหอม, Паванданус, Панданус тундук, Pândânus ətirlisi, Пандануси хушбӯй, Pandenus aromatingas, Pandāna aromātiskā, Панданус запашний, Pândânus ətirli, פנדנוס מבושם

Synonyms: панданус ароматный, fragrant screw-pine, pandan leaf, Duft-Pandanus, pandan aromático, pandan odorant, بندانوس المعطّر, ใบเตย

Parts Used: leaf.

Primary Indications for Use of Pandanus amaryllifolius: thermal burns, functional dyspepsia, chronic gastritis, irritable bowel syndrome, inflammation of the oral mucosa.

Use of Pandanus amaryllifolius in Mixtures and Complexes: acute gastroenterocolitis, acute enteritis, chronic duodenitis, intestinal dysbiosis, chronic stomatitis.

Pharmacological Properties of Pandanus amaryllifolius: antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, antioxidant.

Dosage of Pharmaceutical Forms — Pandanus amaryllifolius

Powder — Pandanus amaryllifolius

Indications (Powder): chronic gastritis, functional dyspepsia, irritable bowel syndrome, inflammation of the oral mucosa.

Standard Dosage (Powder): orally 1.5–2 g of powder 2 times a day after meals, taken with warm water.

Enhanced Dosage (Powder): orally 2.5 g of powder 2–3 times a day for acute exacerbation of chronic gastritis, irritable bowel syndrome with pronounced pain syndrome.

Maximum Dosage (Powder): orally 3 g of powder 3 times a day in the absence of effect from the standard dosage and in the presence of chronic gastritis with hyperacidity, inflammation of the oral mucosa with a pronounced pain component.

Preventive Dosage (Powder): orally 1 g of powder once a day in courses of 14 days twice a year for chronic gastritis, functional dyspepsia, patients with prolonged psycho-emotional stress.

Pediatric Dosage (Powder): from 7 years of age and body weight from 25 kg, 0.5 g of powder 2 times a day after meals.

Contraindications (Powder): individual hypersensitivity; data on contraindications during pregnancy, lactation, and in children under 7 years of age are not scientifically registered.

Side Effects (Powder): in case of overdose, nausea and increased flatulence are possible.

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

Preparation method (Powder): take 500 g of fresh leaves, wash with running water, dry, chop and dry in a drying cabinet at a temperature not exceeding 45 °C until brittle, grind into powder, sieve through a 0.5 mm sieve. Yield — 100 g of powder.

Storage Conditions and Shelf Life (Powder): store in a dry, dark place at a temperature of 15–25 °C, in a tightly closed glass container, protect from direct sunlight and electromagnetic radiation. Shelf life — 24 months. Use within 6 months after opening.

Dry Extract — Pandanus amaryllifolius

Indications (Dry Extract): chronic gastritis, irritable bowel syndrome, inflammation of the oral mucosa, thermal burns (externally).

Standard Dosage (Dry Extract): orally 300 mg of dry extract 2 times a day after meals; externally — application of a thin layer to the affected area 2 times a day.

Enhanced Dosage (Dry Extract): orally 500 mg 2–3 times a day for chronic gastritis with pain syndrome, external application up to 3 times a day for second-degree burns.

Maximum Dosage (Dry Extract): orally 1 g 2 times a day for pronounced inflammation of the oral mucosa, external application up to 4 times a day for burns with a high risk of infection.

Preventive Dosage (Dry Extract): orally 150 mg once a day in a course of 14 days every 6 months for chronic gastritis in remission.

Pediatric Dosage (Dry Extract): from 10 years of age and body weight from 35 kg, 100 mg 2 times a day orally; external use from 5 years of age — a thin layer 1–2 times a day.

Contraindications (Dry Extract): individual intolerance, acute liver diseases; data on contraindications during pregnancy, lactation, and in children under 5 years for external use and under 10 years for internal use are not scientifically registered.

Side Effects (Dry Extract): in case of overdose — diarrhea, abdominal pain, allergic rashes.

Adjustment for Patient Body Weight (Dry Extract): for body weight below 60 kg, reduce the dose by 15%; for body weight above 90 kg, increase the dose by 10%.

Preparation method (Dry Extract): take 300 g of dry leaves, grind, pour 1.5 L of 70% ethanol, infuse for 7 days at room temperature, stirring periodically; filter, evaporate the extract in a water bath at a temperature not exceeding 50 °C to a thick mass, dry in a vacuum drying cabinet to a powder state. Complete removal of ethanol is confirmed by the absence of smell. Permissible residual ethanol content — no more than 500 ppm. Yield — 100 g of dry extract.

Storage Conditions and Shelf Life (Dry Extract): store in a dry, cool, dark place at a temperature of 5–20 °C, in a hermetically sealed container, protecting from electromagnetic radiation. Shelf life — 24 months. After opening — use within 3 months.

Tincture — Pandanus amaryllifolius

Indications (Tincture): chronic gastritis with hyposecretion, functional dyspepsia, inflammation of the oral mucosa, thermal burns (externally), chronic stomatitis.

Standard Dosage (Tincture): orally 15 drops (diluted in 50 ml of warm water) 2 times a day after meals; externally — soaking gauze pads and applying to the affected area 2 times a day.

Enhanced Dosage (Tincture): orally 20 drops 3 times a day for chronic gastritis with pronounced pain syndrome, external application 3–4 times a day for second-degree burns and chronic stomatitis.

Maximum Dosage (Tincture): orally 25 drops 3 times a day in the absence of effect from the standard dosage, external application up to 5 times a day for burns with a risk of secondary infection.

Preventive Dosage (Tincture): orally 10 drops once a day in a course of 14 days every 6 months for chronic gastritis in remission.

Pediatric Dosage (Tincture): from 12 years of age and body weight from 40 kg, 5–7 drops diluted in 50 ml of warm water, 2 times a day.

Contraindications (Tincture): individual intolerance, liver diseases in the decompensation stage; data on contraindications during pregnancy, lactation, and in children under 12 years of age are not scientifically registered.

Side Effects (Tincture): in case of overdose — nausea, dizziness, abdominal pain.

Adjustment for Patient Body Weight (Tincture): for body weight below 60 kg, reduce the dose by 20%; for body weight above 90 kg, increase the dose by 10%.

Preparation method (Tincture): take 200 g of dry crushed leaves, pour 1 L of 40% ethanol, infuse in a dark place at room temperature for 10 days, shaking daily; filter, store in a hermetically sealed dark glass container. Ethanol is used as an extractant and is a component of the finished preparation, but if an alcohol-free form is required — evaporate the tincture in a water bath at a temperature not exceeding 50 °C until the smell of alcohol completely disappears, residual content — no more than 500 ppm.

Storage Conditions and Shelf Life (Tincture): store in a dark place at a temperature of 15–25 °C, in a hermetically sealed dark glass container, protect from electromagnetic radiation. Shelf life — 36 months. After opening — use within 6 months.

Oil Infusion — Pandanus amaryllifolius

Indications (Oil Infusion): rheumatism, chronic arthralgia, second-degree burn, inflammation of the oral mucosa (locally).

Standard Dosage (Oil Infusion): external application — rub 2–3 ml of infusion into the affected area 2 times a day or apply to a gauze pad and apply for 30–40 minutes.

Enhanced Dosage (Oil Infusion): external application — rub 3–4 ml 3 times a day for rheumatism with pronounced pain syndrome or burns with slow healing.

Maximum Dosage (Oil Infusion): external application — up to 5 ml 4 times a day for severe forms of arthralgia or burns with a high risk of infection.

Preventive Dosage (Oil Infusion): external application — 2 ml once a day in courses of 10 days every 3 months for patients with chronic rheumatism, arthralgia, for the prevention of relapses of joint inflammation.

Pediatric Dosage (Oil Infusion): from 5 years of age and body weight from 20 kg — external application 1 ml 1–2 times a day.

Contraindications (Oil Infusion): individual intolerance; data on contraindications during pregnancy, lactation, and in children under 5 years of age are not scientifically registered.

Side Effects (Oil Infusion): in case of overdose — local irritation, skin redness.

Adjustment for Patient Body Weight (Oil Infusion): for body weight below 60 kg, reduce the dose by 20%; for body weight above 90 kg, increase by 15%.

Preparation method (Oil Infusion): take 200 g of fresh leaves, wash, chop, place in a glass container, pour 500 ml of coconut oil, keep in a water bath at a temperature of 45–50 °C for 6 hours, stirring periodically, then infuse at room temperature for 48 hours. Filter through cheesecloth, pour into a dark glass container.

Storage Conditions and Shelf Life (Oil Infusion): store in a dark, cool place at a temperature of 10–20 °C, in a tightly closed container, protected from direct sunlight and electromagnetic radiation. Shelf life — 12 months. Use within 3 months after opening.

Toxicity and Biosafety of Pandanus amaryllifolius

One study investigated the acute and chronic toxicity of the aqueous root extract of Pandanus amaryllifolius following oral and intraperitoneal administration in rats and mice. The following was established:

• The intraperitoneal LD₅₀ of the aqueous root extract was 1.87 g/kg in rats and mice.
• The oral LD₅₀ exceeded 8 g/kg in both sexes of these animals, indicating low toxicity with oral administration.
• With long-term (chronic) oral use of the extract at doses of 1, 2, 4, and 8 g/kg for 180 days, no toxic effects were identified — no behavioral changes, no pathologies, no deviations in hematological and biochemical parameters, except for an increase in body weight in male subjects en.wikipedia.org+10symbiosisonlinepublishing.com+10academia.edu+10.

Conclusion: Pandanus amaryllifolius has a high degree of biosafety: with intraperitoneal administration, the LD₅₀ is 1.87 g/kg, and with oral administration, a toxic effect is practically not observed even at doses exceeding 8 g/kg.

Reference to the study:

Sireeratawong S, Chiranthanut N, Lertprasertsuke N, Jaijoy K (2016). Acute and Chronic Toxicities of Pandanus Amaryllifolius Roxb. Water Extract from the Roots in Rats. SOJ Pharm Pharm Sci, 3(2), 1–7. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15226/237...

Pharmacodynamics — Pandanus amaryllifolius

The pharmacodynamic properties of Pandanus amaryllifolius are based on a complex of phytochemical compounds: flavonoids, phenolic compounds, alkaloids, saponins, terpenoids, phenolic acids, and others. They determine the wide range of biological effects of the plant on various target systems.

1. Antioxidant action and cell protection

Leaf extracts of the plant exhibit a pronounced ability to neutralize free radicals (DPPH, ABTS tests), due to the high content of polyphenols and flavonoids. This indicates the potential for action on redox processes, with possible local and systemic activity.

2. Antimicrobial activity

Ethanol extracts demonstrate inhibition of bacterial growth, including Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, as well as against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, due to the presence of alkaloids (pandamarilactonine-A and others) and fatty acid compounds. These effects reflect action on bacterial targets and modulation of membrane integrity or enzymatic systems of pathogens.

3. Anticoagulant effect

Ethanol leaf extract can prolong bleeding time and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) in animals, indicating modulation of the hemostasis system — predominantly the intrinsic coagulation pathway.

4. Sedative/centrogenic effect

Aqueous root extract reduces spontaneous and stimulator-induced motor activity, enhances the effect of hypnotics (pentobarbital) — possibly through a central mechanism of action not related to benzodiazepine receptors.

5. Modulation of metabolic and signaling systems

Polyphenolic extract influences metabolic processes in the liver and intestines, including the activation of signaling cascades (AMPK/AKT/mTOR), which help regulate autophagy, restore lipid homeostasis, and balance gut microbiota. This suggests the potential for systemic modulation of energy and microecological balance.

Pharmacokinetics — Pandanus amaryllifolius

Information on the specific pharmacokinetics of the active components of P. amaryllifolius is limited; therefore, a generalized approach is used based on known classes of biologically active substances (flavonoids, phenols, alkaloids, terpenoids) and forms of application (aqueous/ethanol extract, powder).

Absorption and routes of administration

Oral use (teas, extracts) suggests absorption of polar components (flavonoids, phenols) through the gastrointestinal tract, with possible participation of intestinal microflora in modification (glycosides → aglycones), contributing to bioavailability. Transdermal or topical use (e.g., in emulsions) likely provides local distribution of antioxidant and antimicrobial agents.

Distribution and metabolism

Many phytochemical compounds may be distributed to organs with high perfusion (liver, gastrointestinal tract, skin). Metabolism is likely carried out through hepatic enzyme systems (phase reactions involving toxic detoxification enzymes), especially for polyphenols and terpenoids. Intestinal microflora may participate in the metabolic transformation of some compounds, altering their activity and fate.

Excretion

Metabolites (or intact compounds) may be excreted by the kidneys (urine) and with bile, possibly involving the lungs and skin (for volatile aromatic compounds) — typical for phenolic and volatile components. For powder forms and extracts, slow accumulation in tissues with prolonged use is possible, but no specific data are available.

Thus, the pharmacokinetic characteristics of P. amaryllifolius should be understood through the properties of extracts and groups of compounds, considering absorption pathways, liver involvement, possible microfloral transformation, and excretion routes.

Mechanisms of Action and Scientific Rationale — Pandanus amaryllifolius

Extracts of Pandanus amaryllifolius contain various secondary metabolites, including flavonoids, phenolic compounds, alkaloids, saponins, terpenoids, and triterpenoids. These phytochemical classes underlie the identified mechanisms of action, confirmed by in vitro, in vivo, in silico studies, and molecular analysis BioMed Central+15ResearchGate+15etflin.com+15.

One of the key mechanisms is the antioxidant action. Polyphenols and flavonoids can neutralize free radicals (DPPH and ABTS tests), as well as inhibit the activity of the enzyme xanthine oxidase, indicating the modulation of oxidative stress through enzymatic and non-enzymatic pathways PLOSifst.onlinelibrary.wiley.com.

The antimicrobial action is represented through direct activity against bacterial and fungal targets. GC-MS profiles revealed components — n-hexadecanoic acid, 9,12,15-octadecatrienoic acid, benzofuran derivatives, quinic acid, neophytadiene — with high affinity for pathogen target proteins according to molecular docking results. These substances inhibit the growth of E. coli and S. aureus, providing an antibacterial effect at the cellular level ScienceDirect+6PLOS+6PLOS+6.

Polyphenolic leaf extract modulates signaling cascades: in animal experiments, an influence on the AMPK/AKT/mTOR pathways was shown, reflecting a redistribution of metabolic balance, regulation of autophagy, lipid metabolism, and gut microbial ecology MDPI.

Consequently, an effect on cellular targets is assumed: macrophages, intestinal epithelial cells, and hepatocytes, through the regulation of mediator cascades (AMPK, AKT, mTOR), affecting lipid metabolism and signaling response systems. This may be accompanied by modulation of cytokine levels and redox-active molecules.

Thus, the mechanism of action of P. amaryllifolius is multi-targeted: antioxidant, antimicrobial, and metabolic regulation, reflected at the enzymatic, signaling, and cellular levels.

References: MDPIВикипедия+15PLOS+15SpringerLink+15

Synergy — Pandanus amaryllifolius

Existing publications on the synergistic interactions of P. amaryllifolius with other plant or natural substances are extremely limited. However, based on known classes of compounds, potential synergy with other antioxidants or phytochemical extracts can be assumed.

Flavonoids and phenols of P. amaryllifolius may have an additive or potentiating effect when combined with other sources of polyphenols (e.g., with green tea extracts, vitex, or other flavonoid-rich plants). Such a combination may enhance antioxidant activity, the overall ability to inhibit free radicals (DPPH, ABTS), and stabilize oxidative stress signaling pathways.

Furthermore, phytopharmaceutical components of pandan (terpenes, phenols) may act as modulators of microbial biocenosis and act in synergy with probiotic strains or other natural antimicrobial extracts, enhancing antibacterial activity against gram-positive and gram-negative cells.

Although precise in vitro or in vivo synergy studies are not yet available for Pandanus amaryllifolius, the described phytochemical composition suggests that combination with other plant antimicrobial or antioxidant extracts may provide additive or modulating action aimed at enhancing antioxidant protection and stabilizing signaling cascades in target cells.

References: There are no direct publications on synergy with other substances; proposed interactions are based on the properties of phytochemical classes identified in P. amaryllifolius (flavonoids, phenols, terpenoids) ResearchGateetflin.com.

Geography of Use and Traditional Medicine — Pandanus amaryllifolius

Pandanus amaryllifolius is traditionally used in the countries of Southeast Asia, including Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Myanmar, as well as in certain regions of South Asia, such as Sri Lanka and the southern part of India. In these countries, the plant is widely known in cooking as a flavoring agent, but in traditional medicine, it is used to prepare infusions, decoctions, and macerates from fresh or dried leaves. In Thai tradition, plant leaves are used as an infusion for washing and compresses, as well as in aromatic baths. In Malay and Indonesian ethnomedicine, the practice of using fresh leaf juice, squeezed by hand, for local skin treatment is found. In the Philippines, pandan leaves are used to prepare aromatic wraps and steam baths, where, in addition to the therapeutic effect, their calming aromatic impact is valued.

Ethnocultural traditions associate Pandanus amaryllifolius with purification and blessing rituals in rural regions of Thailand and Cambodia, where leaves are woven into decorative compositions for rituals related to harvest festivals and family ceremonies. In some communities in Malaysia, it was believed that the aroma of the leaves could ward off evil spirits, so fresh leaves were placed in homes and temples. In Indonesia, there are customs where pandan leaves are woven into garlands to decorate wedding ceremonies, giving the space a favorable atmosphere.

Historical references to the use of the plant are found in the oral traditions of Malay and Javanese healers, as well as in ancient culinary-medical collections from the 18th–19th centuries. They describe the use of leaves not only as an aromatic ingredient but also as a component of infusions for "calming the spirit" and creating harmony in the home. In Sri Lanka, the plant also has ritual significance — its leaves were sometimes used in Buddhist ceremonies as part of flower arrangements symbolizing purity and renewal.

In addition to medical and ritual functions, Pandanus amaryllifolius is valued in craft traditions: its leaves are used for weaving decorative items, mats, and small rugs, sometimes pre-aromatizing them so that the product retains its scent for a long time. In the modern culture of Southeast Asian countries, the plant continues to occupy a prominent place as an element of gastronomic and spiritual life, remaining a symbol of comfort, hospitality, and harmony with nature.