Researchers tested 99 traditional plant medicines to see which ones help the intestines absorb glutamine, an amino acid important for gut health. They discovered that evodiamine, a compound found in the dried fruit of a plant called Euodiae, was the most effective. When intestinal cells were exposed to evodiamine, they absorbed glutamine 1.6 times better and produced 4 times more of a special protein that helps with nutrient absorption. This finding could help explain how some traditional Asian medicines work and might lead to new treatments for people with digestive problems.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether plant medicines used in traditional Asian medicine can help intestinal cells absorb glutamine, an amino acid that supports digestive health
  • Who participated: Laboratory study using human intestinal cells grown in dishes (Caco-2 cells), not human volunteers. Researchers tested 99 different plant extracts
  • Key finding: Evodiamine, a compound from Euodiae fruit, increased glutamine absorption by 60% and boosted production of a nutrient-absorbing protein by 310% in intestinal cells
  • What it means for you: This research suggests evodiamine might help people with digestive problems absorb nutrients better, but much more testing is needed before it could become a treatment. This is early-stage laboratory research, not yet proven in people

The Research Details

Scientists conducted a screening study in a laboratory setting. They tested 99 different plant extracts used in traditional Japanese Kampo medicine on human intestinal cells grown in dishes. They measured how well each plant extract helped cells absorb glutamine. Once they identified the most effective extracts, they focused on evodiamine, the active ingredient in the most promising plant (Euodiae fruit). They then studied exactly how evodiamine works by testing it with various blocking agents to understand which cellular pathways it activates.

The researchers exposed intestinal cells to evodiamine for 24 hours and measured two things: how much glutamine the cells absorbed and how much of a special transport protein (called ATB0) the cells produced. They used molecular tools to block different cellular pathways and see which ones were necessary for evodiamine’s effects.

This is a laboratory study using cells in dishes, not a human study. The findings show what happens in controlled conditions but don’t yet prove these effects occur in living people.

Understanding how traditional medicines work at the cellular level helps bridge ancient medical knowledge with modern science. By identifying which plant compounds improve nutrient absorption, researchers can develop better treatments for malabsorption disorders—conditions where people can’t properly absorb nutrients from food. This approach also validates some traditional medicine practices with scientific evidence.

Strengths: The study used a systematic screening approach testing 99 plant extracts, providing comprehensive data. The researchers identified a specific active ingredient and studied its mechanism of action in detail. Limitations: This is laboratory research using cells in dishes, not human studies, so results may not translate to real people. The study doesn’t tell us if evodiamine is safe for human consumption or what the right dose would be. No human trials have been conducted yet. The sample size of cells tested wasn’t specified in the abstract.

What the Results Show

Out of 99 plant extracts tested, only 7 showed activity in promoting glutamine uptake into intestinal cells. Surprisingly, traditional ‘spleen-tonifying’ herbs like Ginseng and Astragali didn’t show this effect. Instead, Euodiae Fructus (dried fruit of Tetradium ruticarpum) was the most powerful at increasing glutamine absorption.

When researchers isolated evodiamine, the main active ingredient in Euodiae fruit, and exposed intestinal cells to it for 24 hours, the results were striking: cells absorbed 60% more glutamine, and they produced 4.1 times more of the ATB0 transport protein—the cellular machinery responsible for moving glutamine into cells.

The researchers then discovered how evodiamine works. It activates several cellular signaling pathways, particularly one involving a protein called EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor). When they blocked these pathways with inhibitors, evodiamine’s beneficial effects were significantly reduced, proving these pathways were essential for the effect.

The study found that evodiamine specifically increased mRNA expression of ATB0, which is the genetic instruction for making the glutamine transport protein. This suggests evodiamine works by telling cells to make more of the proteins needed to absorb glutamine. The research also showed that multiple cellular pathways work together—blocking any single pathway reduced but didn’t completely eliminate evodiamine’s effects, indicating a complex mechanism.

This research challenges the traditional explanation of how spleen-tonifying herbs work. Previous traditional medicine theory suggested these herbs simply improved overall ‘spleen function,’ but this study shows the actual mechanism is more specific: certain plant compounds enhance the production of nutrient-absorbing proteins. The finding that traditional spleen-tonifying herbs like Ginseng didn’t show this effect suggests the traditional medicine classification may not perfectly align with modern nutritional science.

Major limitations include: (1) This is laboratory research using cells in dishes, not human studies—results may not occur the same way in living people; (2) The dose used (3 μM) was chosen for laboratory conditions and may not be appropriate for human use; (3) No safety testing was conducted; (4) No information about potential side effects; (5) The study doesn’t show whether evodiamine helps people with actual malabsorption problems; (6) Long-term effects are unknown; (7) The study doesn’t compare evodiamine to existing treatments.

The Bottom Line

Current evidence level: Very early-stage laboratory research. Recommendations: Do not take evodiamine supplements based on this study alone. Wait for human clinical trials before considering it as a treatment. If you have malabsorption problems, continue working with your healthcare provider on proven treatments. This research is interesting for scientists but not yet ready for public use.

Scientists and pharmaceutical researchers should care about this finding as it identifies a promising compound for further development. People with malabsorption disorders or digestive issues should be aware this research exists but should not self-treat with evodiamine products until human studies are completed. Healthcare providers may find this useful for understanding how some traditional medicines work. People should NOT change their treatment based on this laboratory study.

This is fundamental research, not a treatment yet. Realistic timeline: 3-5 years of additional laboratory work, then 5-10 years of human clinical trials would be needed before evodiamine could potentially become an approved treatment. We’re at the very beginning of this process.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Once evodiamine-based products are clinically tested and available, users could track: daily glutamine intake from food sources, digestive symptoms (bloating, nutrient deficiency signs), and energy levels. Track these weekly to see patterns over 4-8 weeks.
  • Currently, users cannot apply this research directly. In the future, if evodiamine becomes available as a supplement, users could: set reminders for consistent dosing, log digestive symptoms before and after taking it, and track nutrient absorption markers (like energy levels or lab results) with their doctor’s guidance.
  • Long-term tracking would involve: monthly check-ins with digestive health markers, quarterly nutrient absorption assessments with a healthcare provider, and ongoing symptom logs. Users should also monitor for any side effects and report them to their healthcare provider.

This research is laboratory-based and has not been tested in humans. Evodiamine is not currently an approved medical treatment. Do not use evodiamine supplements or Euodiae fruit products to treat malabsorption or digestive problems without consulting your healthcare provider. This study does not prove evodiamine is safe or effective in people. Anyone with digestive disorders should continue working with their doctor on proven treatments. This information is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement or treatment.