Bixa orellana

Annatto/Drug Interactions:

  • Aldose reductase inhibitorsAldose reductase inhibitors: In vitro, extracts of achiote (Bixa orellana) exhibited potent inhibitory activity towards lens aldose reductase (22).
  • AnalgesicsAnalgesics: Based on mouse study, a methanol extract of Bixa orellana leaves demonstrated analgesic properties (2).
  • AntibioticsAntibiotics: Extracts of several parts of the Bixa orellana plant demonstrated antibiotic properties, based on in vitro and animal study (5; 6; 7; 2; 8). In in vitro study, annatto extracts had an inhibitory effect on Bacillus cereus, Clostridium perfringens, Streptococcus thermophilus, Lactobacillus casei subsp. casei, Lactococcus lactis, Paenibacillus polymyxa, Listeria monocytogenes, and Enterococcus durans (8).
  • Anticoagulants and antiplateletsAnticoagulants and antiplatelets: Based on secondary sources, annatto may have anticoagulant effects.
  • Antidiabetic agentsAntidiabetic agents: The research in this area is conflicting, with oral administration of annatto positively and negatively affecting both glucose and insulin levels in several animal studies (17; 18; 19; 21). In vitro, hot water extracts of achiote (Bixa orellana) exhibited potent inhibitory activity towards lens aldose reductase (22).
  • AntidiarrhealsAntidiarrheals: Based on mouse study, Bixa orellana leaves demonstrated antidiarrheal activity (2). In clinical trial, patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia using Bixa orellana complained of constipation (36).
  • AntifungalsAntifungals: In vitro, Bixa orellana fruit extract exhibited antifungal activity against Cryptococcus neoformans (MIC=0.078mg/ml) (3).
  • AntihypertensivesAntihypertensives: Theoretically, annatto may potentiate the antihypertensive effects of medication used to treat hypertension.
  • Anti-inflammatory agentsAnti-inflammatory agents: In in vitro study, bixin isolated from Bixa orellana demonstrated COX-1 and COX-2 inhibitory properties (4).
  • Antineoplastic agentsAntineoplastic agents: Based on in vitro study, bixin demonstrated antineoplastic activity (4; 11). In vitro, increased frequency of micronucleated cells has been observed at a high concentration of annatto (10,670ppm) when it was administered simultaneously with cyclophosphamide (31).
  • AntiprotozoalsAntiprotozoals: In vitro, Bixa orellana methanol seed extract inhibited the growth of Leishmania amazonensis (3).
  • CNS depressantsCNS depressants: Based on mouse study, Bixa orellana leaves decreased locomotor activity (2).
  • Cytochrome P450-metabolized agentsCytochrome P450-metabolized agents: Based on in vitro and animal study, annatto may induce CYP1A1 and 2B isoenzymes; however, bixin, which makes up approximately 28% of annatto, may not be responsible for the CYP induction shown by annatto administration (32).
  • DiureticsDiuretics: Based on anecdote, some individuals may be highly sensitive to annatto and experience a diuretic effect at low doses, such as when eating foods in which annatto was used as a colorant or flavoring.
  • SedativesSedatives: Based on mouse study, Bixa orellana leaves had dose-dependent sedative effects (2).

    • Annatto/Herb/Supplement Interactions:

  • Aldose reductase inhibitorsAldose reductase inhibitors: In vitro, extracts of achiote (Bixa orellana) exhibited potent inhibitory activity towards lens aldose reductase (22).
  • AnalgesicsAnalgesics: Based on mouse study, Bixa orellana leaves demonstrated analgesic properties (2).
  • AntibacterialsAntibacterials: Extracts of several parts of the Bixa orellana plant demonstrated antibacterial properties, based on in vitro and animal study (5; 6; 7; 2; 8). In in vitro study, annatto extracts had an inhibitory effect on Bacillus cereus, Clostridium perfringens, Streptococcus thermophilus, Lactobacillus casei subsp. casei, Lactococcus lactis, Paenibacillus polymyxa, Listeria monocytogenes, and Enterococcus durans (8).
  • Anticoagulants and antiplateletsAnticoagulants and antiplatelets: Based on secondary sources, annatto may have anticoagulant effects.
  • AntidiarrhealsAntidiarrheals: Based on mouse study, Bixa orellana leaves demonstrated antidiarrheal activity (2). In clinical trial, patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia using Bixa orellana complained of constipation (36).
  • AntifungalsAntifungals: In vitro, Bixa orellana fruit extract exhibited antifungal activity against Cryptococcus neoformans (MIC=0.078mg/ml) (3).
  • Anti-inflammatory herbsAnti-inflammatory herbs: Based on in vitro study, bixin isolated from Bixa orellana demonstrated COX-1 and COX-2 inhibitory properties (4).
  • AntineoplasticsAntineoplastics: Based on in vitro study, bixin may have antineoplastic activity (4; 11). In vitro, increased frequency of micronucleated cells has been observed at a high concentration of annatto (10,670ppm) when it was administered simultaneously with cyclophosphamide, so it should be used carefully, as high doses may increase the effect of mutagens (31).
  • AntioxidantsAntioxidants: Based on in vitro and animal study, annatto and Bixa orellana leaves demonstrated antioxidant activity (9; 10; 11; 2; 12).
  • AntiparasiticsAntiparasitics: In vitro, Bixa orellana methanol seed extract inhibited Leishmania amazonensis (3).
  • Cytochrome P450-metabolized herbs and supplementsCytochrome P450-metabolized herbs and supplements: Based on in vitro and animal study, annatto induced CYP1A1 and 2B isoenzymes; however, bixin, which is approximately 28% of annatto, may not be responsible for the CYP induction shown by annatto administration (32).
  • DiureticsDiuretics: Based on anecdote, some individuals may be highly sensitive to annatto, and a diuretic effect may occur at low doses, such as by eating foods in which annatto was used as a coloring or flavoring.
  • HypoglycemicsHypoglycemics: The research in this area is conflicting, with oral administration of annatto positively and negatively affecting both glucose and insulin levels in animal study (17; 18; 19; 21). In vitro, hot water extracts of achiote (Bixa orellana) exhibited potent inhibitory activity towards lens aldose reductase (22).
  • HypotensivesHypotensives: Theoretically, annatto may potentiate the antihypertensive effects of herbs and supplements used to treat hypertension.
  • SedativesSedatives: Based on mouse study, Bixa orellana leaves had dose-dependent sedative effects (2).

    • Annatto/Food Interactions:

  • Insufficient available evidence.

    • Annatto/Lab Interactions:

  • Blood culturesBlood cultures: Extracts of several parts of the Bixa orellana plant demonstrated antibacterial properties, based on in vitro and animal study (5; 6; 7; 2; 8). In in vitro study, annatto extracts had an inhibitory effect on Bacillus cereus, Clostridium perfringens, Streptococcus thermophilus, Lactobacillus casei subsp. casei, Lactococcus lactis, Paenibacillus polymyxa, Listeria monocytogenes, and Enterococcus durans (8).
  • Blood pressureBlood pressure: Theoretically, annatto may potentiate the antihypertensive effects of herbs and supplements used to treat hypertension.
  • ElectrolytesElectrolytes: Based on anecdote, annatto may have diuretic properties and theoretically may cause electrolyte imbalances.
  • Insulin levelsInsulin levels: The research in this area is conflicting, with oral administration of annatto positively and negatively affecting both glucose and insulin levels in animal study (17; 18; 19; 21).
  • Serum glucose levelsSerum glucose levels: The research in this area is conflicting, with oral administration of annatto positively and negatively affecting both glucose and insulin levels in animal study (17; 18; 21). In vitro, hot water extracts of achiote (Bixa orellana) exhibited potent inhibitory activity towards lens aldose reductase (22).
  • Serum levels of cytochrome P450-metabolized agentsSerum levels of cytochrome P450-metabolized agents: Based on in vitro and animal study, annatto induced CYP1A1 and 2B isoenzymes; however, bixin, which is approximately 28% of annatto, may not be responsible for the CYP induction shown by annatto administration (32).