# Wampee

**Canonical URL:** https://ingredients.hermeticasuperfoods.com/ingredients/wampee
**Data Source:** Hermetica Superfoods Ingredient Encyclopedia
**Updated:** 2026-03-15
**Evidence Score:** 6 / 10
**Category:** Fruit
**Also Known As:** Clausena lansium (Lour.) Skeels, wampee fruit, WP, WPE

## Overview

Wampee (Clausena lansium) contains carbazole alkaloids, flavonoids, and phenolic compounds that inhibit the TLR4-p38 MAPK/NF-κB inflammatory pathway, reducing [pro-inflammatory cytokine](/ingredients/condition/inflammation)s by up to 67%. Preclinical studies demonstrate potent [antioxidant activity](/ingredients/condition/antioxidant) (95% DPPH scavenging at 50 μg/mL) and anticancer effects against multiple cell lines, with ethyl acetate fractions showing 75.8% inhibition of gastric cancer cells.

## Health Benefits

- **Supports [digestive health](/ingredients/condition/gut-health)**: by regulating bowel movements and nourishing gut microbiota with fiber.
- **Reduces [oxidative stress](/ingredients/condition/antioxidant)**: and [inflammation](/ingredients/condition/inflammation) with flavonoids, phenolic acids, and vitamin C, promoting [skin health](/ingredients/condition/skin-health).
- **Strengthens [immune function](/ingredients/condition/immune-support)**: through its high vitamin C content, enhancing defense against illnesses.
- **Enhances [liver function](/ingredients/condition/detox)**: and aids natural detoxification processes.
- **Promotes deep cellular**: hydration due to its high water content and electrolyte balance.
- **Supports respiratory clarity**: and eases congestion through traditional applications.
- **Contributes to emotional**: balance and a sense of internal calm.

## Mechanism of Action

Wampee peel extract inhibits LPS-induced TLR4-p38 MAPK/[NF-κB](/ingredients/condition/inflammation) signaling pathway, downregulating TLR4 by 67.61%, p38 MAPK by 44.12%, and NF-κB p65 by 49.07% in experimental colitis models. Phenolic compounds and flavonoids scavenge [reactive oxygen species](/ingredients/condition/antioxidant) through DPPH, ORAC, and FRAP mechanisms, while carbazole alkaloids activate ERK pathways in neuronal cells for neuroprotection.

## Clinical Summary

Current evidence is limited to preclinical animal studies and in vitro research, with no published human clinical trials available. Mouse colitis studies demonstrated dose-dependent [anti-inflammatory](/ingredients/condition/inflammation) effects with significant reductions in inflammatory markers. Cell culture studies show strong anticancer activity against gastric (SGC-7901), liver (HepG-2), and lung (A-549) cancer cell lines, with the ethyl acetate fraction exceeding cisplatin's efficacy. Type 2 diabetes rat models showed improved [antioxidant](/ingredients/condition/antioxidant) balance, though human translation remains unestablished.

## Nutritional Profile

- Macronutrients: Dietary fiber, natural fruit sugars, high water content.
- Vitamins: Vitamin C.
- Minerals: Potassium, calcium, magnesium, zinc (trace).
- Phytochemicals: Flavonoids (rutin, quercetin), polyphenols, limonoids, coumarins, terpenes, phenolic acids.

## Dosage & Preparation

- Common forms include fresh fruit, dried fruit, extracts, teas, jams, and cooling drinks.
- Dosage: 1/4–1/2 cup of fresh fruit daily, or 200–400 mg extract daily.
- Traditionally consumed fresh, or decocted/steamed for teas and poultices.
- Historically used in Chinese, Vietnamese, and Hmong medicine to clear fevers, soothe coughs, reduce skin irritation, and calm internal heat.

## Safety & Drug Interactions

No specific safety data, drug interactions, or contraindications are documented in current literature, representing a significant knowledge gap for clinical applications. Traditional use for gastrointestinal disorders and viral hepatitis suggests general tolerability, but this lacks systematic safety evaluation. Carbazole alkaloids require toxicological assessment given their potent bioactivity and potential for adverse effects at therapeutic concentrations. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid use due to insufficient safety data, and patients on anticoagulants or immunosuppressants should exercise caution pending interaction studies.

## Scientific Research

Research on Wampee highlights its [antioxidant](/ingredients/condition/antioxidant), [anti-inflammatory](/ingredients/condition/inflammation), and [hepatoprotective](/ingredients/condition/detox) properties, attributed to its rich content of flavonoids, coumarins, and phenolic acids. Studies support its traditional uses in [digestive health](/ingredients/condition/gut-health), immune defense, and detoxification pathways.

## Historical & Cultural Context

Wampee has been revered for centuries in Southeast Asian folk medicine, particularly in Chinese, Vietnamese, and Hmong traditions. It is considered a clarifying and cooling fruit, used to treat digestive issues, purify the blood, and enhance vitality during periods of internal heat or emotional agitation. It symbolizes [longevity](/ingredients/condition/longevity) and internal cleansing.

## Synergistic Combinations

Role: Polyphenol/[antioxidant](/ingredients/condition/antioxidant) base
Intention: Detox & Liver | Gut & [Microbiome](/ingredients/condition/gut-health)
Primary Pairings: - Turmeric (Curcuma longa)
- Camu Camu (Myrciaria dubia)
- Ginger (Zingiber officinale)
- Maca Root (Lepidium meyenii)

## Frequently Asked Questions

### What are the main bioactive compounds in wampee fruit?

Wampee contains carbazole alkaloids (claulansine F, lansiumamide B), flavonoids (up to 7.16 mg/g in peel), and phenolic compounds (907.8 mg GAE/100 g in high-antioxidant varieties). These compounds contribute to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and potential anticancer properties demonstrated in laboratory studies.

### How effective is wampee against inflammation?

Preclinical studies show wampee peel extract significantly reduces inflammatory markers by inhibiting the TLR4-p38 MAPK/NF-κB pathway. In mouse colitis models, high-dose treatment downregulated key inflammatory proteins by 44-67% and reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α.

### Is there clinical evidence for wampee's health benefits?

No human clinical trials have been published for wampee, with current evidence limited to animal studies and cell culture research. While preclinical results show promise for anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, human efficacy and safety remain unproven and require controlled clinical investigation.

### What cancers has wampee been studied against?

Laboratory studies tested wampee extracts against gastric (SGC-7901), liver (HepG-2), and lung (A-549) cancer cell lines, showing 69-76% growth inhibition at 50 μg/mL. The ethyl acetate fraction demonstrated superior anticancer activity compared to cisplatin chemotherapy, though these are preliminary cell culture findings requiring extensive clinical validation.

### Are there any safety concerns with wampee consumption?

Safety data for wampee is extremely limited, with no documented drug interactions, contraindications, or adverse effects in current literature. The potent bioactivity of carbazole alkaloids raises potential toxicity concerns that require systematic evaluation. Patients should consult healthcare providers before therapeutic use, especially when taking medications or during pregnancy.

### Can I get sufficient wampee benefits from eating the whole fruit instead of taking a supplement?

Yes, consuming whole wampee fruit is an excellent way to obtain its nutritional benefits, as the fruit naturally contains fiber, vitamin C, flavonoids, and phenolic acids in bioavailable forms. Eating 1-2 fresh wampees daily or incorporating them into smoothies and desserts can support digestive health, immune function, and antioxidant protection without supplement concentration. However, whole fruit consumption also provides dietary fiber that may cause digestive adjustments in sensitive individuals, whereas supplements offer controlled dosing.

### Is wampee safe for children and pregnant women?

Wampee fruit is generally safe for children as a whole food due to its nutritious profile of vitamins and fiber, though introduced gradually to assess individual tolerance. Pregnant women should consume wampee in moderate amounts as part of a balanced diet; however, high-dose supplements during pregnancy warrant consultation with a healthcare provider due to limited pregnancy-specific safety data. The fruit's natural vitamin C content supports fetal development, but excessive intake of concentrated supplements is not recommended without medical guidance.

### Does wampee interact with medications used for liver disease or blood thinners?

While wampee supports liver function through its antioxidant compounds, individuals taking medications for liver disease or blood thinners should consult their healthcare provider before consuming high-dose wampee supplements, as flavonoids and phenolic acids may have mild interactions with certain medications. Moderate consumption of whole wampee fruit as a food is unlikely to cause clinically significant interactions, but supplemental forms warrant individualized assessment. This precaution is particularly important for those on anticoagulants, as some fruit-derived compounds can affect bleeding risk.

## References

Sources: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30813499; https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2225411017300895; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7071171

---

*Source: Hermetica Superfoods Ingredient Encyclopedia — https://ingredients.hermeticasuperfoods.com*
*License: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 — Attribution required. Commercial use: admin@hermeticasuperfoods.com*