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5 peer-reviewed studies
What the evidence says
Most Pau D'Arco studies are mechanism or observational rather than RCTs that measure a clinical effect — keep findings provisional.
Most evidence is from medium-quality studies published 1976–2021.
Based on 5 studies
Confidence
Low1 study in the last 5 years
In a rat model and cell lines, Tabebuia bark extract reduced inflammatory mediators by targeting NF-kB and AP-1 — but this is preclinical, not human, evidence.
Park JG et al. · Mediators Inflamm (2017)
A review of plant antitumor agents discussed lapachol among them and noted its toxicity during early drug evaluation.
Sieber SM, Mead JA, Adamson RH · Cancer Treat Rep (1976)
Bark extract accelerated gastric ulcer healing in rats — an animal finding consistent with traditional use, not a human trial.
Pereira IT et al. · Phytother Res (2013)
Beta-lapachone, a naphthoquinone from Tabebuia bark, was cytotoxic to lung cancer cell lines in vitro — a test-tube finding, not evidence of benefit in people.
Kung HN et al. · PLoS One (2014)
A review found naphthoquinones including lapachol show antibacterial, antifungal, and antiprotozoal activity in vitro, but none are established anti-infective therapies in humans.
Ortiz-Perez E et al. · Curr Top Med Chem (2021)