Arctiin

PhytochemicalLignanBest with a meal

What is it

Arctiin is a lignan glycoside found mainly in burdock (Arctium lappa) seeds. After ingestion it is converted by gut bacteria to its aglycone arctigenin, which has been studied for anti-inflammatory and anticancer activity in laboratory models.

Evidence for 2 uses

AI-assisted evidence assessment — talk to your doctor before relying on any single supplement.

Anticancer (preclinical)

Mixed Evidence

Multiple in vitro and animal studies suggest activity against cancer cell lines, but no human clinical trials confirm efficacy.

Anti-inflammatory effects

Mixed Evidence

Laboratory data supports anti-inflammatory mechanisms; human evidence is absent.

How it works

Following oral intake, arctiin is hydrolyzed by intestinal microbiota to arctigenin. Arctigenin has been reported in preclinical studies to inhibit NF-kB and STAT3 signaling, induce apoptosis in certain cancer cell lines, and reduce inflammatory cytokine production. It has also been studied for AMPK activation, neuroprotection in models of Alzheimer's disease, and antiviral activity. These are mostly in vitro and animal data; relevance to oral supplementation in humans remains unproven.

Dosage

No established RDA, AI or UL. Studies use widely varying preparations and doses; no human supplement dose has been validated for any indication.

When and how to take it

No established timing. Taken with meals in most studies.

1 commercial form

Compare the main delivery options and what they’re best suited for.

Burdock seed extract

Most common natural source of arctiin in supplements.

Arctiin is converted to arctigenin by gut bacteria.

Safety

Generally low acute toxicity in animal studies. Human safety data is limited. Burdock seed-derived products may contain other compounds that contribute to safety profile.

Who should be cautious

Avoid in pregnancy and breastfeeding due to lack of data. Use cautiously with diabetes medications.

Interactions

No significant interactions reported, but caution is warranted with diabetes medications and chemotherapy given preclinical effects on glucose and cell proliferation.

Food sources

Burdock seeds (Arctium lappa)

Amount
varies
%DV
—

Frequently asked questions

Does arctiin fight cancer?⌄

Preclinical data is interesting but no human trials support this. It is not a cancer treatment.

Is arctiin the same as burdock?⌄

No. Arctiin is one compound among many in burdock seeds.

References

Arctiin on Wikidata — Wikidata link

Arctiin (ChEBI:80793) — ChEBI link

Arctiin (PubChem CID 100528) — PubChem link

Arctiin on NIH DSLD (US supplement label database) — NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database link

Research on Arctiin (PubMed search) — PubMed link

Track Arctiin with Pilora

Set up dose reminders, check interactions, and join the community in the Pilora iPhone app.

Coming to App Store
Evidence-based·How we grade evidence

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This page is educational, not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Evidence grades are AI-assisted assessments — talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, on medications, or managing a chronic condition.