Breadfruit

Breadfruit/Drug Interactions:

  • 5-Alpha reductase inhibitors5-Alpha reductase inhibitors: Laboratory tests have shown that chlorophorin and artocarpin in the heartwood extract of Artocarpus incisus exhibited potent 5-alpha reductase inhibitory activity (14), and caution should be taken when administered with 5-alpha reductase-inhibiting drugs, such as finasteride, dutasteride, and isotretinoin, due to possible synergic effects.
  • AnthelminticsAnthelmintics: In vitro, breadfruit tree preparations hindered the motility of Hymenolepis nana (dwarf tapeworm) and resulted in death (10). The use of breadfruit in combination with other antihelminthic (anthelmintic) drugs may have additive effects.
  • Anticoagulants and antiplateletsAnticoagulants and antiplatelets: Based on laboratory evidence, root extracts of Artocarpus communis inhibited thromboxane formation, leading to inhibition of adrenaline-induced secondary platelet aggregation (11; 8). Theoretically, breadfruit may increase the risk of bleeding when taken with anticoagulants.
  • AntifungalsAntifungals: Frutackin in Artocarpus incisus seed extract inhibited the growth of Fusarium moniliforme and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (15) and therefore may increase the effect when taken with other antifungals.
  • AntineoplasticsAntineoplastics: Based on laboratory evidence, chemical components in the leaves of Artocarpus altilis exhibited cytotoxic effects on SPC-A-1, SW-480, and SMMC-7721 human cancer cells. In vitro, the chemicals isolated from breadfruit leaves induced apoptotic effects on SW 872 human liposarcoma cells by increasing the expression of apoptosis-inducing proteins such as Fas, FasL, and p53 (16; 8). Thus, concomitant use of breadfruit with other antineoplastic agents may have additive effects.
  • Hematological agentsHematological agents: Hemagglutination is clumping of hematids typically caused by antibodies, plant lectins, viruses, or other substances. Based on in vitro animal and human studies, frutackin exhibited hemagglutination activity against erythrocytes (15). Caution must be taken when administered with antihemagglutinins, as additive effects could be harmful.
  • InotropesInotropes: Based on animal research, leaf extract from Artocarpus altilis exerted a weak negative chronotropic effect to considerably reduce left ventricular pulse pressure (13). The extract could also exert a negative inotropic effect on right ventricular myocardial strips. Caution must be taken when administered with cardiac inotropes, as additive effects could be harmful.
  • Skin-lightening agentsSkin-lightening agents: An in vitro study conducted on melanocyte B16F1 melanoma cells has shown that Artocarpus incisus extract reduced melanin content in these cells by inhibiting melanin synthesis (17). In another study, heartwood extracts from Artocarpus incisus, when applied on the back of guinea pig, inhibited melanin biosynthesis without causing any skin irritation (18).
  • Breadfruit/Herb/Supplement Interactions:

  • 5-Alpha reductase inhibitors5-Alpha reductase inhibitors: Based on laboratory tests, heartwood extract of Artocarpus incisus may have potent 5-alpha reductase inhibitory activity, and caution must be taken when used with 5-alpha reductase inhibiting herbs and supplements, as the additive effects may have adverse reactions (14).
  • AnthelminticsAnthelmintics: In an in vitro study, breadfruit tree preparation of 10(-2)-2.10(-3) concentration interfered with Hymenolepis nana (dwarf tapeworm) motility by causing motor excitation, contracture, and finally death (10). Concomitant use of breadfruit with herbs or supplements exhibiting antihelminthic (anthelmintic) activity may have additive effects.
  • Anticoagulants and antiplateletsAnticoagulants and antiplatelets: Based on an in vitro study, root extracts of Artocarpus communis inhibited the formation of thromboxane (an inducer of platelet aggregation) (11; 8). Breadfruit may theoretically potentiate the effects of other herbs and supplements that increase bleeding risks.
  • AntifungalsAntifungals: Frutackin, a lectin present in the seed extract of Artocarpus incisus, inhibited the growth of Fusarium moniliforme and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (15). Breadfruit seed extract may theoretically have a synergistic effect when administered in combination with other antifungal herbs or supplements.
  • AntineoplasticsAntineoplastics: Based on laboratory evidence, chemical components in the leaves of Artocarpus altilis exhibited cytotoxic and apoptotic effects on human cancer cells by increasing the expression of apoptosis-inducing proteins such as Fas, FasL, and p53 proteins (16; 8). Breadfruit leaf extract may theoretically have synergistic effect on antineoplastic herbs or supplements.
  • AntioxidantsAntioxidants: Based on laboratory research, Thai breadfruit's (Artocarpus incisus) heartwood extract exhibited antioxidant activity, depending on the dose (17) and thereby may have an additive effect when taken with antioxidant herbs and supplements.
  • Hematological agentsHematological agents: Based on in vitro studies conducted on animals and humans, frutackin exhibited hemagglutination activity against erythrocytes (15) and therefore may have additive effects with antihemagglutinin herbs or supplements.
  • InotropesInotropes: Based on animal research, leaf extract from Artocarpus altilis exerted a weak negative chronotropic effect to considerably reduce left ventricular pulse pressure and also exerted a negative inotropic effect on right ventricular myocardial strips (13). Breadfruit may theoretically potentiate the effects of other herbs and supplements that alter myocardial contractility.
  • Skin-lightening agentsSkin-lightening agents: An in vitro study conducted on melanocyte B16F1 melanoma cells has shown that Artocarpus incisus extract reduced melanin content in these cells by inhibiting melanin synthesis (17). In another study, heartwood extracts from Artocarpus incisus, when applied on the back of guinea pig, inhibited melanin biosynthesis without causing any skin irritation (18).
  • Breadfruit/Food Interactions:

  • Insufficient available evidence.
  • Breadfruit/Lab Interactions:

  • Coagulation panelCoagulation panel: Based on laboratory evidence, root extracts of Artocarpus communis inhibited thromboxane formation, leading to inhibition of adrenaline-induced secondary platelet aggregation (11).
  • Cell proliferation assayCell proliferation assay: Jacalin in the aqueous extract of Artocarpus altilis seeds is known to stimulate the proliferation of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells in vitro (19).
  • Hemagglutinin assayHemagglutinin assay: Based on in vitro animal and human studies, frutackin exhibited hemagglutination activity (15).