Eurycoma longifolia Jack (E. longifolia) is a well-recognized traditional herbal medicine that offers a wide dynamic range of biomedical applications including anti-osteoporotic, anticancer, anti-proliferative, anti-malarial, antimicrobial, antioxidant, aphrodisiac, anti-inflammatory, anxiolytic, anti-diabetic, anti-rheumatism and anti-ulcer properties. This review aims to overview the pharmacokinetic and a pharmacodynamic algorithm of E. longifolia and its bioactive components. Analysis of pharmacokinetic profile revealed that E. longifolia exhibit higher bioavailability, high volume of distribution, slow elimination rate, and does not show inhibitory effects on cytochrome P450 isoenzymes. E. longifolia has been used, alone or in combination with other pharmacological agents, in the form of crude extracts, standard extracts, or decoctions of different plant parts (i.e., herbs, shrubs, stem, leaves, and roots) for the treatment of various ailments in animals and humans. Among various bioactive constituents, eurycomanone has been found to be the most remarkable, super-stable, versatile, and most potent phytochemical (isolated or extracted from root extracts) against various types of animals and human diseases. Based on its well-established pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles, we suggested that E. longifolia can be a well-accepted complementary and alternative medicine for the treatment of different types of human ailments.

Objective: To investigate the bone-resorbing effect of demethylbelamcandaquinone B (Dmcq B) extracted from Marantodes pumilum var. alata on osteoclast differentiation in RAW264.7 cells. Methods: RAW264.7 macrophages were differentiated using RANKL into osteoclast-like cells. Then, they were treated with 10 μg/mL Marantodes pumilum var. alata crude aqueous extract, 5 μg/ mL dichloromethane fraction, and 0.6 μg/mL Dmcq B and 0.06 μg/ mL estradiol. Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b (TRACP 5b) as an osteoclast phenotypic marker was determined by TRACP staining and TRACP 5b colometric assay, and bone-resorbing pits were examined. The gene expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6) was measured. Moreover, the protein expressions of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6) and estrogen receptors were evaluated. Results: Marantodes pumilum var. alata crude aqueous extract and Dmcq B inhibited RANKL-stimulated osteoclast differentiation as evidenced by size reduction of giant multinucleated osteoclast cells, decreased TRACP 5b activity as well as the subsiding of resorbed pit area compared with normal control. In addition, they reduced the gene and protein expressions of TNF-α and IL-6. Marantodes pumilum var. alata, Dmcq B, and estradiol treatments increased the protein expressions of estrogen receptors alpha and beta in osteoclasts. Conclusions: Marantodes pumilum var. alata and its active compound, Dmcq B can inhibit osteoclast differentiation.

Eurycoma longifolia (EL) has been well recognized as a booster of male sexual health. Over the past few decades, numerous in vivo animal studies and human clinical trials have been conducted across the globe to explore the promising role of EL in managing various male sexual disorders, which include erectile dysfunction, male infertility, low libido, and downregulated testosterone levels. The aim of the present review is to analyze and summarize the literature on human clinical trials which revealed the clinical significance and therapeutic feasibility of EL in improving male sexual health. This systematic review is focused on the following databases: Medline, Wiley Online Library, BioMed Central, Hindawi, Web of Knowledge, PubMed Central and Google Scholar, using search terms such as "Eurycoma longifolia", "EL", "Tongkat Ali", "male sexual health", "sexual infertility", "erectile dysfunction", "male libido", and "testosterone levels". Notably, only human clinical studies published between 2000 and 2014 were selected and thoroughly reviewed for relevant citations. Out of 150 articles, 11 met the inclusion criteria. The majority of articles included were randomized placebo-controlled trials, multiple cohort studies, or pilot trials. All these studies demonstrated considerable effects of EL on male sexual health disorders. Among them, 7 studies revealed remarkable association between the use of EL and the efficacy in the treatment of male sexual disorders, and remaining 4 studies failed to demonstrate sufficient effects on male sexual health. In summary, there is convincing evidence for the prominence of EL in improving the male sexual health. The review also substantiates the use of current methodology in the development of novel and more rationale natural herbal medicines for the management of male sexual disorders.
Allostasis ; drug effects ; Animals ; Eurycoma ; Humans ; Male ; Phytotherapy ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Reproductive Health ; Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological ; prevention & control