Tonka Bean

Generic name: Dipteryx Odorata (Aubl.) Willd., Dipteryx Oppositifolia (Aubl.) Willd.
Brand names: Cumaru, Tonco Bean, Tonco Seed, Tonga Bean, Tongo Bean, Tonka Bean, Tonquin Bean, Torquin Bean

Usage of Tonka Bean

There are no well-controlled studies describing the pharmacologic effects of tonka beans or their components. Coumarin is toxic when ingested in high doses.

Synthetic coumarin has been developed to replace the natural product in some cases. Warfarin (eg, Coumadin), a substituted coumarin, is a potent anticoagulant used in human therapeutics and rodenticides.(Claus 1970)

Compounds isolated from the tonka bean have been studied in cancer chemoprevention and for acaricidal activity.

Cancer chemoprevention

Animal data

Isoliquiritigenin isolated from D. odorata, which is also present in licorice and shallots, induced quinone reductase activity in Hepa 1c1c7 cells and inhibited prenoplastic lesion formation in a carcinogen-treated mouse mammary organ culture assay by 76% inhibition at 10 mcg/mL.(Cuendet 2006, Jang 2003)

Quinone reductase activity was induced in a dose-dependent manner in the concentration range of 2 to 30 mcM, with a maximum of 7-fold induction at the highest concentration tested.(Cuendet 2006)

Quinone reductase elevation with in vitro and in vivo systems correlates with induction of other protective phase 2 enzymes and provides a reasonable biomarker for the potential chemoprotective effect of test agents against cancer initiation.

In another study, the potential of all identified isolates to induce quinone reductase activity of Hepa 1c1c7 cells were evaluated. Isoliquiritigenin exhibited the most potent quinone reductase activity. 6,4′-Dihydroxy-3′-methoxyaurone, sulfuretin, and balanophonin also induced quinone reductase activity.(Cuendet 2006)

Acaricidal activity

Animal data

A cyclohexane extract of tonka beans was toxic to the common pyroglyphid house dust mite Dermatophagoides pteronyssinies, showing a dose-dependent acaricidal effect. Coumarin was identified as the active component.

After 24 hours, the median effective dose for coumarin 0.032 g/m 2 was very similar to that of Benzyl benzoate 0.025 g/m2, a well-known and widely used acaricidal product.(Gleye 2003)

Other uses

The crude extract of D. odorata induced changes to the uterus and ovarian function of prepubescent rats compared to controls. Morphological and weight changes were also observed in the pituitary and adrenal glands. Estrogen-like compounds produced by D. odorata were implicated as the likely cause.(Rodrigues 2018)

Tonka Bean side effects

If ingested in modest amounts, tonka beans have not been reported to produce any serious adverse reactions. Caution is advised in hepatic impairment.García 2012 Coumarin, as a constituent of tonka beans or tonka extract, is prohibited from use in human food by the FDA.ECFR 2007

Before taking Tonka Bean

Information regarding safety and efficacy in pregnancy and lactation is lacking. Avoid use.

How to use Tonka Bean

There is no clinical evidence to support a specific dosage of tonka bean.

Warnings

Dietary feeding of coumarin to rats and dogs has been associated with extensive hepatic damage, growth retardation, and testicular atrophy.Duke 2003 Large oral doses of the fluid extract may result in cardiac paralysis.Duke 2003 The median lethal dose (oral) of coumarin is 680 mg/kg in rats and 202 mg/kg in guinea pigs.Windholz 1983

What other drugs will affect Tonka Bean

Case reports are lacking.

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