Dragon's Blood
Scientific Name(s): Croton lechleri Muell.-Arg. Family: Euphorbiaceae (spurges)
Common Name(s): Dragon's blood , sangre de grado , sangre de drago , drago
Uses of Dragon's Blood
Dragon's blood has been used for its antiviral, wound healing, and GI benefits.
Dragon's Blood Dosing
The standardized dragon's blood product SP-303 ( Provir ) has been studied for diarrhea at doses of 125 to 500 mg daily. 1
Contraindications
Contraindications have not yet been identified
Pregnancy/Lactation
Information regarding safety and efficacy in pregnancy and lactation is lacking.
Dragon's Blood Interactions
None well documented.
Dragon's Blood Adverse Reactions
There have been no major toxicities reported with the use of dragon's blood.
Toxicology
No data available.
Botany
The genus croton contains about 750 species of trees and shrubs commonly found in tropical and subtropical regions of both hemispheres. This tree grows from 10 to 20 m in height. The trunk is covered with smooth, mottled bark, which when cut or wounded, oozes a red, sappy resin that makes it appear as if the tree is bleeding. 2
Red resin from the genus Daemonorops draco , used to color varnishes and lacquers, is the common dragon's blood of commerce, 3 and is an entirely different plant than C. lechleri . Since C. lechleri latex is sold in Peru and elsewhere, it is also of commerce though not as widespread as the Daemonorops resin.
History
Sangre de grado, Spanish for blood of the dragon, has a long history of use for both the bark and the resin. An early reference dating back to the 1600s notes that Spanish explorer P. Bernabe Cobo found the sap was being used by indigenous tribes throughout Peru and Ecuador. They used it internally and externally to stop bleeding, help heal wounds, and treat intestinal problems. Studies regarding this plant date back to the late 1970s. Preparations made from dragon's blood are found in several pharmaceutical products, some of them patented.
Chemistry
Alkaloid taspine has been isolated from C. lechleri . 4 Diterpenes and polyphenolic compounds including proanthocyanidins (90%), catechins, epicatechins, gallocatechins, and related structures have been found in the sap. 5 , 6 Clerodane diterpenoids including korberin A and B have been isolated as well. 7 A dihydrobenzofuran lignan; 3,4-O-dimethylcedrusin, has been found in the latex. 8 Volatile constituents from C. lechleri sap, as determined by GC/MS analyses, include ethyl acetate, ethyl propionate, 2-methylbutanol, 2-methyl-bu acetate, Pr acetate, 3-methyl-bu acetate, eucalyptol, 1-bu acetate, and 3-methyl-2-pentanol. 9 Other phytochemicals reported from the plant include pinenes, camphene, eugenol, linalool, pectic acid, tannin, vanillin, and resin. 2 One report suggests the presence of pro-oxidant compounds. 10 Another report provides the synthesis of methyl dihydrohardwickiate from crolechinic acid isolated from C. lechleri 11 with the goal of generating useful derivatives.
Sinoacutine has been isolated from C. lechleri leaves. 12 A review on certain techniques for isolation of natural products is available, including chemical and biological investigations of dragon's blood in particular. 13
Dragon's Blood Uses and Pharmacology
C. lechleri resin and bark are used in traditional medicine in South America. Externally, it is employed as an antiseptic, as a wound-healing agent, and for skin disorders. Internally, it is used for hemorrhaging, mouth and throat ulcers/infections, and intestinal disorders. 2 This important rainforest resource has several uses that have been validated by several studies.
Antibacterial and antiviral effects
Animal data
Several phenolic compounds and diterpenes have demonstrated potent antibacterial activity. 7 , 14 Antiviral effects are seen from C. lechleri as well. A large proanthocyanidin oligomer isolated from the latex demonstrates broad activity against DNA and RNA viruses, including RSV, influenza A, parainfluenza virus, herpesvirus types 1 and 2, and hepatitis A and B viruses. 15 Constituent taspine inhibited RNA-directed DNA polymerase activity from certain virus types, including leukemia and sarcoma virus. 16
Clinical data
Research reveals no clinical data regarding the use of dragon's blood as an antibacterial or antiviral agent.
Wound-healing effects
Animal data
The taspine alkaloid from dragon's blood was first documented with anti-inflammatory actions in 1979. 4 Later studies confirmed these actions, leading to further studies in the area of wound healing. Taspine was found to be the healing principle, as in 1 study by in vivo testing in mice. Increased migration of human fibroblasts was suggested as the probable mechanism in this acceleration of the wound-healing process. 17 Another report evaluating taspine's wound-healing properties demonstrated positive results (with higher dosing, earlier seen than later), using such parameters as wound tensile strength and histology. Taspine also was found to stimulate chemotaxis for fibroblasts. Data from the report suggest that taspine promotes early phases of wound healing in a dose-dependent manner. 18 A patent was issued for taspine in DMSO (solvent), which healed wounds faster than DMSO alone or no treatment at all. 19 Another dragon's blood constituent, a dihydrobenzofuran lignan also involved in wound healing actions, was isolated in 1993. 8
Clinical data
Research reveals no clinical data regarding the use of dragon's blood for wound healing.
GI effects
Animal data
Research reveals no animal data regarding the use of dragon's blood for GI effects.
Clinical data
Dragon's blood also plays a role in GI health. Practitioners are reporting it beneficial for stomach ulcers, ulcerative colitis, and Crohn's disease when taken internally. Ten to 20 drops of the resin in water once to twice daily is the regimen based on South American herbal medicine practices. 2 A patent describing use of the proanthocyanidin polymer from croton species as an antidiarrheal was issued to Shaman Pharmaceuticals, Inc. USA. 20 The company's natural dietary supplements containing standardized extract from C. lechleri sap are called NSF 21 and NSF-1B. 22 The products claim clinically demonstrated relief from diarrhea that won't cause constipation. Normalization of diarrhea caused by excess fluid secretion into the intestinal tract is the suspected mechanism of action. 23 A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of the principal ingredient (SP-303) in patients with HIV-associated diarrhea demonstrated beneficial effects. 24
Other uses
One report describes protective effects of C. lechleri latex on spontaneous lipid peroxidation in rat livers. 25 Taspine, isolated from C. palanostigma sap, has been isolated as a cytotoxic substance. 26
Dosage
The standardized dragon's blood product SP-303 ( Provir ) has been studied for diarrhea at doses of 125 to 500 mg daily. 1
Pregnancy/Lactation
Information regarding safety and efficacy in pregnancy and lactation is lacking.
Interactions
None well documented.
Adverse Reactions
No major toxicity has been reported from dragon's blood. The natural product (NSF) web page mentions its safety and efficacy in clinical testing involving more than 1200 patients. No interactions were observed. 21 One report found taspine to be nontoxic to human foreskin fibroblasts. 17
There is no safety data regarding pregnancy. The American Herbal Products Association lists dragon's blood as Class I, meaning it can be consumed safely when used appropriately. 27
Toxicology
Research reveals little or no information regarding toxicity with the use of this product.
http://www.drugs.com/npp/dragon-s-blood.html
