Bark

Lapacho Bark

Provisional Moderate Scorebotanical

Hermetica Superfood Encyclopedia

Published March 15, 2026Last updated March 15, 2026Methodology · Editorial policy · Report an error

Evidence review status: unreviewed

Legacy index-continuity record: the score and narrative are provisional and must not be represented as validated or human-approved.

Review flags: AWAITING_SEMANTIC_VALIDATION

Provisional Summary

Lapacho bark (Tabebuia impetiginosa) contains the naphthoquinone compounds lapachol and β-lapachone, which inhibit topoisomerase I activity, suppress COX-2-mediated inflammation, and demonstrate broad-spectrum antimicrobial, wound-healing, and immunomodulatory effects. A 2013 study (PMID 23010281) showed β-lapachone significantly ameliorated autoimmune encephalomyelitis in vivo, while a 2024 single-cell transcriptomics study (PMID 38701542) revealed its derivative lapagyl mitigates UV-induced inflammation via Foxp3+ Treg modulation and CCL pathway suppression.

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Screened PMID Records

Reported Benefits

Pending

Synergy Review

At a Glance

CategoryBark

GroupBark

Public Score StatusProvisional Moderate

Primary Keywordlapacho bark benefits

Lapacho Bark — botanical close-up

Reported Benefits (Provisional)

Supports robust immune: defense by stimulating immune cell activity

Exhibits potent antifungal

and antimicrobial activity against various pathogens.

Reduces systemic inflammation: by modulating inflammatory pathways

Aids in body: detoxification by supporting liver function and toxin elimination

May assist in

managing infections and autoimmune conditions through immunomodulatory effects.

Origin & History

Natural habitat

Lapacho Bark (Handroanthus impetiginosus, formerly Tabebuia impetiginosa), also known as Pau d'Arco, is derived from a tree native to the Amazon basin and tropical regions of South and Central America, particularly Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, and Bolivia. This inner bark is highly valued for its potent immune-modulating and antimicrobial properties.

“For centuries, Lapacho Bark has been used by Indigenous tribes such as the Inca, Kallawaya, and Guarani as a sacred healing tree. Revered for its role in treating infections, reducing inflammation, and spiritual cleansing, its bark tea was also used to strengthen vitality during disease recovery and purification rituals.”Traditional Medicine

Research Narrative (Provisional)

A comprehensive ethnopharmacological review by Gómez Castellanos et al. (2009) in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology (PMID 18992801) catalogued lapacho's global traditional uses and confirmed its naphthoquinone-driven antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory pharmacology. Xu et al. (2013) in the Journal of Neuroimmunology (PMID 23010281) demonstrated that β-lapachone ameliorated experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in a murine model, supporting its immunomodulatory potential. Kung et al. (2008) in the American Journal of Physiology–Cell Physiology (PMID 18650264) showed β-lapachone promoted wound healing both in vitro and in vivo by accelerating cell migration and collagen synthesis. More recently, Xie et al. (2024) in Phytomedicine (PMID 38701542) used single-cell transcriptomics to reveal that the lapacho derivative lapagyl mitigates UV-induced inflammation and immunosuppression via Foxp3+ regulatory T cells and CCL chemokine pathway modulation.

Preparation & Dosage

Dosage guidance is withheld because the publication gate has not recorded adequate support for this profile.

Nutritional Profile

- Minerals: Selenium. - Phytochemicals & Bioactives: Naphthoquinones (Lapachol, Beta-lapachone), Flavonoids, Quinones.

Reported Mechanism (Provisional)

Mechanism of Action

β-Lapachone and lapachol inhibit topoisomerase I enzyme activity, blocking DNA unwinding and replication in pathogenic and neoplastic cells, a mechanism confirmed in cytotoxicity studies (PMID 11474885). β-Lapachone suppresses the NF-κB signaling cascade, downregulating cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), thereby reducing prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and pro-inflammatory cytokines including IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6. In autoimmune models, β-lapachone modulates adaptive immunity by influencing Foxp3+ regulatory T-cell populations and suppressing CCL chemokine-mediated immune cell recruitment (PMID 38701542). Additionally, β-lapachone activates NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1)-dependent pathways, generating reactive oxygen species selectively in NQO1-overexpressing cells, which underlies its selective cytotoxicity in tumor models (PMID 41299357).

Clinical Narrative (Provisional)

Current evidence for lapacho bark comes exclusively from preclinical laboratory and animal studies, with no completed human clinical trials confirming therapeutic effectiveness. In vitro studies demonstrate antimicrobial activity against Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans with efficacy comparable to amphotericin B. Animal models show anticancer effects against breast, lung, prostate, and colon cancers, but clinical translation is limited by compound toxicity. The strength of evidence remains weak due to absence of controlled human trials.

Also Known As

Handroanthus impetiginosusTabebuia impetiginosaTabebuia avellanedaePau d'ArcoIpe RoxoPurple Lapacho

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These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

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