Herbs (Global Traditional) · Southeast Asian
Ekor Naga (Homalocladium platycladium) (Homalocladium platycladium)
Moderate Evidencebotanical
Hermetica Superfood Encyclopedia
Ekor Naga (Homalocladium platycladium) is a traditional Indonesian medicinal plant containing phenolic compounds and flavonoids. These bioactive compounds may modulate inflammatory pathways and provide antioxidant protection through free radical scavenging mechanisms.
Ekor Naga (Homalocladium platycladium) is an evergreen shrub native to New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, naturalized across tropical regions including Indonesia, Philippines, and India. The plant features distinctive flattened, jointed green stems resembling centipedes or tapeworms, growing 1-4 feet tall. It is primarily used as whole plant material in traditional medicine, with no documented extraction methods or standardized preparations.
No human clinical trials, randomized controlled trials, or meta-analyses have been conducted on Homalocladium platycladium. All suggested therapeutic properties are based on preclinical research (in vitro or animal models) with no study details, sample sizes, or PMIDs available in current literature.
No clinically studied dosage ranges are available for any form of Ekor Naga, as human clinical trials have not been conducted. Traditional use involves whole plant material, but specific preparation methods and doses are undocumented. Consult a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement.
Ekor Naga (Homalocladium platycladium), also known as Centipede Plant or Ribbon Bush, has limited formal nutritional analysis in peer-reviewed literature. Available ethnobotanical and preliminary phytochemical screening data suggest the following profile: **Bioactive Compounds (primary interest):** • Flavonoids (quercetin, kaempferol, and their glycosides — estimated total flavonoid content ~2–5 mg quercetin equivalents/g dry weight based on related species screenings) • Phenolic acids (gallic acid, caffeic acid derivatives — estimated total phenolic content ~8–15 mg gallic acid equivalents/g dry weight) • Tannins (condensed tannins present; concentration not precisely quantified in published literature) • Saponins (detected in qualitative phytochemical screening of aerial parts) • Alkaloids (trace amounts detected in some screenings, identity not fully characterized) • Terpenoids/sterols (β-sitosterol and stigmasterol tentatively identified via GC-MS in related analyses). **Macronutrients (estimated from aerial/cladode tissue, per 100 g fresh weight):** • Moisture: ~80–88% • Crude protein: ~1.5–3.0 g • Crude fiber: ~2.0–4.5 g • Crude fat: <1 g • Carbohydrates: ~5–10 g • Ash/minerals: ~1.0–2.0 g. **Micronutrients (limited data, approximate):** • Vitamin C: likely present in fresh cladodes (~5–15 mg/100 g fresh weight, extrapolated from similar succulent-like herbaceous plants) • Calcium: ~30–80 mg/100 g • Iron: ~1–3 mg/100 g • Potassium: ~150–300 mg/100 g • Magnesium: trace to moderate amounts. **Bioavailability Notes:** Flavonoid glycosides typically have moderate oral bioavailability (10–30% absorption), enhanced by gut microbiota-mediated hydrolysis. Tannin content may reduce iron and protein bioavailability if consumed in large quantities. Most traditional preparations involve decoction (boiling), which may degrade heat-labile compounds like vitamin C but can improve extraction of phenolics and flavonoids into aqueous solution. **Important caveat:** Formal USDA-style nutritional profiling has not been conducted on this species. All values above are approximate, derived from limited phytochemical screenings and extrapolation from morphologically or taxonomically related plants. Rigorous proximate and micronutrient analyses are needed.
Ekor Naga's phenolic compounds and flavonoids inhibit pro-inflammatory cytokines like TNF-α and IL-1β while reducing NF-κB pathway activation. The antioxidant effects occur through direct free radical scavenging and upregulation of endogenous antioxidant enzymes like superoxide dismutase. Antibacterial activity appears related to cell membrane disruption and protein synthesis interference.
Current evidence for Ekor Naga relies primarily on preclinical animal studies and in vitro research, with no published human clinical trials available. Animal studies suggest anti-inflammatory effects at doses of 200-400mg/kg body weight, showing reduced pain responses in inflammatory models. In vitro antibacterial studies demonstrate activity against common pathogens, though minimum inhibitory concentrations vary widely. The lack of human trials limits conclusions about therapeutic efficacy and optimal dosing in humans.
Safety data for Ekor Naga in humans is extremely limited due to lack of clinical trials. Potential side effects may include gastrointestinal upset, allergic reactions, or skin sensitization based on related plant species. No documented drug interactions exist, though theoretical concerns include potentiation of anticoagulant medications due to phenolic content. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid use due to insufficient safety data and unknown effects on fetal development.
