Butylphthalide

PhytochemicalPhthalide

What is it

3-n-butylphthalide (NBP, also called dl-3-n-butylphthalide) is a small organic molecule originally isolated from celery seed (Apium graveolens). It is approved as a prescription drug in China for ischemic stroke and is sometimes found in supplements marketed for cognitive or circulatory support.

Evidence for 2 uses

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

Acute ischemic stroke recovery (prescription use)

Good Evidence

Multiple Chinese randomized trials have reported improved neurologic outcomes when butylphthalide is added to standard stroke care. Most evidence is from a single country and trial quality varies.

Cognitive enhancement in healthy adults

Mixed Evidence

No published controlled trials support cognitive benefit in healthy people from supplement-level butylphthalide.

How it works

Butylphthalide has multiple proposed mechanisms relevant to ischemic brain injury, including improving microcirculation, reducing oxidative stress, inhibiting platelet aggregation, and protecting mitochondrial function. In the brain, it appears to reduce infarct volume and protect against ischemia-reperfusion injury in animal models, and several Chinese clinical trials have reported improved neurologic outcomes after ischemic stroke when given as an adjunct. Its use in dietary supplements (separate from the prescription drug) lacks safety and efficacy oversight. Supplement claims around general cognition, memory, or circulation in healthy adults are not supported by trial evidence.

Dosage

The prescription drug is typically 200 mg three times daily for stroke recovery. There is no established supplement dose, no RDA, and no UL. Use outside of medical supervision is not recommended.

When and how to take it

In stroke protocols, given three times daily with or without food. There is no supplement-specific timing guidance.

2 commercial forms

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

Prescription soft-gel capsule (NBP)

Approved in China for ischemic stroke; not approved in the U.S. or EU.

Oral bioavailability is moderate; lipophilic, so absorption improves with food.

Celery seed extract (containing butylphthalide)

Most consumer exposure in the U.S. is through celery seed products rather than isolated NBP.

Butylphthalide content varies widely.

Safety

Within stroke trials, butylphthalide is generally well tolerated. Most common side effects are elevated liver enzymes (typically transient), GI upset, and skin reactions. Long-term safety beyond trial durations and outside of stroke populations is not well characterized.

Who should be cautious

Avoid during pregnancy and breastfeeding. People with liver disease should be cautious because of reported transaminase elevations. People on blood thinners or scheduled for surgery should avoid use unless directed by a clinician. Avoid in children.

Interactions

Possible additive effects with antiplatelet and anticoagulant medications. Liver enzyme elevations warrant caution with other hepatotoxic medications.

Food sources

Celery seed and celery stalks

Amount
trace, variable
%DV
—

Frequently asked questions

Is butylphthalide a supplement or a drug?⌄

Both, depending on context. It is approved as a prescription stroke medication in China and appears in some supplements marketed for cognition. The latter use lacks regulatory oversight.

Will it improve memory in healthy people?⌄

There is no clinical evidence that it does.

References

Butylphthalide on Wikidata — Wikidata link

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

Research on Butylphthalide (PubMed search) — PubMed link

Track Butylphthalide with Pilora

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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.