Albizia julibrissin He huan pi, Persian silk tree, Tree of hapiness, -Eastern-

Albizia is considered very safe, although caution should be taken when pregnant as it invigorates blood.^[1]
References
[1] herbalreality.com

References

Anxiolytic-like effects of extracts from Albizzia julibrissin bark in the elevated plus-maze in rats.
Kim WK, Jung JW, Ahn NY, Oh HR, Lee BK, Oh JK, Cheong JH, Chun HS, Ryu JH.
Abstract
The purpose of the this study was to characterize the putative anxiolytic-like effects of the aqueous extract of Albizzia julibrissin stem bark using the elevated plus maze (EPM) in rats. The water extract of Albizzia julibrissin was orally administered at 10, 50, 100 or 200 mg/kg to adult male SD rats, 1 h before behavioral evaluation in an EPM, respectively. Control rats were treated with an equal volume of saline, and positive control rats buspirone (1 mg/kg). Single or repeated treatment (for 7 days) of the water extract of Albizzia julibrissin (at 100 or 200 mg/kg) significantly increased time-spent and arm entries into the open arms of the EPM, and decreased time-spent and arm entries in the closed arms of the EPM versus saline controls (P < 0.05). However, no changes in the locomotor activity and myorelaxant effect were seen in any group versus the saline control. In addition, the anxiolytic-like effects of Albizzia julibrissin extract were abolished by pindolol (10 mg/kg, i.p), a 5-HT(1A/1B) receptor antagonist. These results suggest that Albizzia julibrissin might proved to be an effective anxiolytic agent, and that it acts via the serotonergic nervous system.
PMID: 15464830 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2004.05.024 Life Sci. 2004 Oct 22;75(23):2787-95. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Total saponins from Albizia julibrissin inhibit vascular endothelial growth factor-mediated angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo.
Cai W, Li Y, Yi Q, Xie F, Du B, Feng L, Qiu L.
Abstract
Dried stem bark from Albizia julibrissin (AJ) is a highly valued Traditional Chinese Medicine, which has been shown to suppress tumor growth and angiogenesis. Total saponins from AJ (TSAJ) are one of the most bioactive components of AJ extract. The present study evaluated the anti-tumor and anti-angiogenic effects of TSAJ in vitro and in vivo. The anti-angiogenic activity of TSAJ was investigated by measuring the effects on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-induced proliferation, migration and tube formation of Ea.hy926 endothelial cells in vitro. The expression levels of proteins associated with VEGF-induced angiogenesis were determined by western blotting. Furthermore, in vivo Matrigel™ plug and H22 hepatoma tumor models were used to verify the anti-angiogenic effects of TSAJ. The present study demonstrated that TSAJ significantly inhibited VEGF-mediated endothelial cell proliferation, migration and tube formation of Ea.hy926 cells in vitro. The anti-angiogenic effects of TSAJ were modulated by suppression of phosphorylated-(p-) focal adhesion kinase, p-Akt, and p-extracellular signal-regulated kinase in the VEGF/VEGF receptor 2 (R2) signaling pathway. Furthermore, oral administration of TSAJ significantly inhibited tumor growth and tumor-induced angiogenesis, as well as the formation of functional vessels, in the Matrigel™ plug model. These results suggest that TSAJ may be a potential anti-angiogenic agent that targets the VEGF/VEGFR2 signaling pathway, and inhibits tumor-induced angiogenesis.
|PMID: 25607254 PMCID: PMC4368075 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2015.3228 Mol Med Rep. 2015 May;11(5):3405-13. doi: 10.3892/mmr.2015.3228. Epub 2015 Jan 20. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Attenuation of brain mitochondria oxidative damage by Albizia julibrissin Durazz: neuroprotective and antiemetic effects
Mohammad Ali Ebrahimzadeh, Hamed Fathi, Ali Ziar, Hamidreza Mohammadi
Abstract
Medicinal plants, as new drugs, are considered for treatment of insomnia, anxiety, depression, confusion, nausea, and vomiting symptoms. The current study aimed to evaluate the neuroprotective and antiemetic effects of Albizia. julibrissin Durazz. flower extract in the chickens. Emesis was induced by copper sulfate and ipecac (60 and 600 mg/kg, orally, respectively) and the methanolic extract (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg) were injected intraperitoneally (i.p.). Mitochondrial function, lipid peroxidation (LPO), protein carbonyl (PC) content, and catalase activity as biomarkers of oxidative damage were evaluated in the brain mitochondria. All doses of extract showed significant (p < 0.001) antiemetic activity against induced emesis by copper sulfate and ipecac. Brain mitochondria function (by 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg of extract) were increased 48%, 85%, and 90% against emesis induced by ipecac and 32%, 18%, and 24% against emesis induced by copper sulfate, respectively. LPO and PC contents were significantly decreased after the administration of extract in emesis induced by copper sulfate and ipecac. A significant decrease (p < 0.01) of CAT activity was observed in the extract (200 mg/kg) group in emesis induced by copper sulfate in chickens brain mitochondria. The present study suggests that the extract had antiemetic effects against emesis induced by copper sulfate and ipecac in young chickens via peripheral and central mechanisms. Neuroprotective effect of the extract could be due to the increase in bioactive compounds, plasma antioxidants, or direct free radical scavenging that could prevent lipid and protein alteration and impede the formation of oxidative damage.
Drug Chem Toxicol . 2019 Mar;42(2):122-129. doi: 10.1080/01480545.2017.1413106. Epub 2017 Dec 18. PMID: 29250976 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Flavonol acylglycosides from flower of Albizia julibrissin and their inhibitory effects on lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 cells
Tadahiro Yahagi 1, Akihiro Daikonya, Susumu Kitanaka
Abstract
Obesity is a serious health problem worldwide. We investigated the anti-obesity effect of the flower of Albizia julibrissin DURAZZ. (Leguminosae). A 90% EtOH extract of the flower inhibited adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes, as well as the activity of glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GPDH) activity. New flavonol acylglycosides (1-4) and eighteen known compounds (5-22) were isolated by bioassay-directed fractionation. These new glycosides were elucidated to be 3″-(E)-p-coumaroylquercitrin (1), 3″-(E)-feruloylquercitrin (2), 3″-(E)-cinnamoylquercitrin (3), and 2″-(E)-cinnamoylquercitrin (4) on the basis of spectroscopic and chemical analysis. These compounds inhibited adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. In particular, 2 exhibited potent inhibitory effects on triglyceride accumulation. Furthermore, GPDH activity was inhibited by 2. Additionally, 2 inhibited glucose uptake in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. These results indicate that the 90% EtOH extract and compounds isolated from the flower of A. julibrissin inhibit adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and may have anti-obesity effect through the inhibition of preadipocyte differentiation.
Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo) . 2012;60(1):129-36. doi: 10.1248/cpb.60.129. PMID: 22223384 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effect of Albizia julibrissin water extracts on low-density lipoprotein oxidization
Katherine Vaughn 1, Colt McClain, Danielle Julie Carrier, Sunny Wallace, Jerry King, Shanmugam Nagarajan, Edgar Clausen
Abstract
High-value phytochemicals could be extracted from biomass prior to the current cellulosic pretreatment technologies (i.e., lime, ammonia, dilute acid, or pressurized hot water treatments) provided that the extraction is performed with a solvent that is compatible with the pretreatment. This work reports on the extraction of flavonoids from Albizia julibrissin biomass. While extracting A. julibrissin foliage with 50 degrees C water, 2.227 mg/g of hyperoside and 8.134 mg/g quercitrin were obtained, which is in the realm of what was obtained with 60% methanol. A. julibrissin foliage, flower, and whole plant extracts were tested in terms of their potential to inhibit low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidization. The highest inhibition was obtained with foliage water extracts, which were standardized at 2.5 microM of flavonoids. Also, the 2.5 microM foliage water extract resulted in a reduction from 43% to only 1% of the observed monocyte adherence. To have commercial application, A. julibrissin water extracts should be devoid of toxicity. The A. julibrissin foliage, flower, and whole plant water extracts were not toxic to Vero 76 cells. In summary, A. julibrissin biomass can be extracted with 50 degrees C water to yield an antioxidant stream, showing that it may be possible to couple extraction of valuable phytochemicals to the cellulosic pretreatment step.
J Agric Food Chem . 2007 Jun 13;55(12):4704-9. doi: 10.1021/jf063458e. Epub 2007 May 12. PMID: 17497875 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Albizia julibrissin Ameliorates Memory Loss Induced by Insomnia in Drosophila
Jui-Shu Chang, Hsin-Ping Liu, Jack Cheng, Chao-Jung Chen, Su-Lun Hwang, Chi-Chuan Tseng, Lee-Fen Hsu, Wei-Yong Lin
Affiliations expand
Abstract
In clinical practice in Taiwan, Albizia julibrissin is the most prescribed Chinese herbal medicine for insomnia. Short-term insomnia and hypnotic use both attenuate cognitive functions, especially learning memory. In previous studies, A. julibrissin exhibits sedative activity, antidepressant-like effects, and protection of learning and memory against amnesia. However, whether A. julibrissin ameliorates memory loss caused by short-term sleep deprivation is not clear. We utilized the sleep-deprived Drosophila model and olfactory associative learning-memory assay to test the effects of A. julibrissin on sleep-deprivation induced memory loss. We found that A. julibrissin ameliorated 3-hour memory but not 1-hour memory or instant learning. The findings might be applied to an anticipated short-term sleep disturbance.
Evid Based Complement Alternat Med . 2019 Apr 1;2019:7395962. doi: 10.1155/2019/7395962. eCollection 2019. PMID: 31057652 PMCID: PMC6463593 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov