Kinetin

Category

Herbs & Supplements

Synonyms

Cytokinins, furfural, furfuryladenine, hyaluronidase, isopentenyladenine (IPA), kinerase, kinesin-I, kinetin, kinetin riboside.

Background

Kinetin is a chemical analogue of cytokinins, a class of plant hormones that promotes cell division. Kinetin is found in both plants and animals.

Scientific studies have investigated whether kinetin might help lower side effects associated with cataract surgery, aid in the treatment of Meniere's disease or decrease eye blood pressure. Currently, there is not enough scientific evidence to support any of these uses.

Evidence

DISCLAIMER: These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider.

Cataracts (surgery): Side effects of cataract surgery may include pain, infection, swelling, bleeding, or retinal detachment. The use of kinetin during cataract surgery may lower adverse effects associated with cataracts. More research is needed in this area.
Grade: C

Meniere's disease : Meniere's disease is a disorder of the inner ear, which causes hearing loss, ringing in the ear, and the sensation that one's surroundings are spinning. Kinetin may be beneficial for patients with Meniere's disease. However, additional study is needed in this area.
Grade: C

Ocular disorders (eye blood pressure): Kinetin may decrease blood pressure in the eye, although currently there is insufficient available evidence to draw a strong conclusion.
Grade: C

Tradition

WARNING: DISCLAIMER: The below uses are based on tradition, scientific theories, or limited research. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. There may be other proposed uses that are not listed below.
Aging, antioxidant, cancer, leukemia, nervous system disorders (familial dysautonomia), photoprotection, skin aging, surgical uses (adhesion prevention), thrombosis (blood clots).

Dosing

Adults (over 18 years old)

There is no proven safe or effective dose for kinetin in adults.

Children (under 18 years old)

There is no proven safe or effective dose for kinetin in children.

Safety

DISCLAIMER: Many complementary techniques are practiced by healthcare professionals with formal training, in accordance with the standards of national organizations. However, this is not universally the case, and adverse effects are possible. Due to limited research, in some cases only limited safety information is available.

Allergies

Avoid in individuals with a known allergy or hypersensitivity to kinetin.

Side Effects and Warnings

Kinetin may have the following adverse effects: blood thinning effects, increased coagulation (blood clotting) time, inhibited platelet aggregation, and prolonged or increased bleeding.

Use cautiously in patients with coagulation or hematologic (blood) disorders or taking anticoagulants or antiplatelets (blood thinners).

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Kinetin is not recommended in pregnant or breastfeeding women due to a lack of available scientific evidence.

Interactions

Interactions with Drugs

Kinetin may have antioxidant effects. Use cautiously in patients taking antioxidants due to possible additive effects.

Kinetin may increase the risk of bleeding when taken with drugs that increase the risk of bleeding. Some examples include aspirin, blood thinners such as warfarin (Coumadin®) or heparin, antiplatelet drugs such as clopidogrel (Plavix®), and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) such as ibuprofen (Motrin®, Advil®) or naproxen (Naprosyn®, Aleve®).

Kinetin may inhibit cell growth, induce apoptosis, and stimulate cell differentiation. Use cautiously in patients with cancer or taking anticancer agents.

Interactions with Herbs & Dietary Supplements

Kinetin may have antioxidant effects. Use cautiously in patients taking antioxidant herbs or supplements due to possible additive effects.

Kinetin may increase the risk of bleeding when taken with herbs or supplements that are believed to increase the risk of bleeding. Multiple cases of bleeding have been reported with the use of Ginkgo biloba, and fewer cases with garlic and saw palmetto.

Kinetin may inhibit cell growth, induce apoptosis, and stimulate cell differentiation. Use cautiously in patients with cancer or taking anticancer herbs or supplements.

Attribution

This information is based on a systematic review of scientific literature, and was peer-reviewed and edited by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com): Dawn Costa, BA, BS (Natural Standard Research Collaboration); Nicole Giese, MS (Natural Standard Research Collaboration); Jamie Hegarty, PharmD (Massachusetts College of Pharmacy); Tera Stock, PharmD (Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences); Shaina Tanguay-Colucci, BS (Natural Standard Research Collaboration); Catherine Ulbricht, PharmD (Massachusetts General Hospital); Wendy Weissner, BA (Natural Standard Research Collaboration).

Bibliography

DISCLAIMER: Natural Standard developed the above evidence-based information based on a thorough systematic review of the available scientific articles. For comprehensive information about alternative and complementary therapies on the professional level, go to www.naturalstandard.com. Selected references are listed below.

Adunka O, Moustaklis E, Weber A, et al. Labyrinth anesthesia--a forgotten but practical treatment option in Meniere's disease. ORL J Otorhinolaryngol.Relat Spec. 2003;65(2):84-90.

Barciszewski J, Mielcarek M, Stobiecki M, et al. Identification of 6-furfuryladenine (kinetin) in human urine. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 12-9-2000;279(1):69-73.

Barciszewski J, Siboska GE, Pedersen BO, et al. Furfural, a precursor of the cytokinin hormone kinetin, and base propenals are formed by hydroxyl radical damage of DNA. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 9-18-1997;238(2):317-319.

Glaser DA, Rogers C. Topical and systemic therapies for the aging face. Facial.Plast.Surg Clin North Am 2001;9(2):189-96, vii.

Griffaut B, Bos R, Maurizis JC, et al. Cytotoxic effects of kinetin riboside on mouse, human and plant tumour cells. Int J Biol Macromol. 2004;34(4):271-275.

Hipkiss AR. On the "struggle between chemistry and biology during aging"--implications for DNA repair, apoptosis and proteolysis, and a novel route of intervention. Biogerontology. 2001;2(3):173-178. .

Honma Y, Ishii Y. Differentiation of human myeloid leukemia cells by plant redifferentiation-inducing hormones. Leuk.Lymphoma 2002;43(9):1729-1735.

Hsiao G, Shen MY, Lin KH, et al. Inhibitory activity of kinetin on free radical formation of activated platelets in vitro and on thrombus formation in vivo. Eur J Pharmacol 4-4-2003;465(3):281-287.

Ishii Y, Hori Y, Sakai S, et al. Control of differentiation and apoptosis of human myeloid leukemia cells by cytokinins and cytokinin nucleosides, plant redifferentiation-inducing hormones. Cell Growth Differ. 2002;13(1):19-26.

Ishii Y, Kasukabe T, Honma Y. Immediate up-regulation of the calcium-binding protein S100P and its involvement in the cytokinin-induced differentiation of human myeloid leukemia cells. Biochim.Biophys Acta 9-10-2005;1745(2):156-165.

Ishii Y, Sakai S, Honma Y. Cytokinin-induced differentiation of human myeloid leukemia HL-60 cells is associated with the formation of nucleotides, but not with incorporation into DNA or RNA. Biochim.Biophys Acta 12-7-2003;1643(1-3):11-24.

Kligman D. Cosmeceuticals. Dermatol Clin 2000;18(4):609-615.

Olsen A, Siboska GE, Clark B F, et al. N(6)-Furfuryladenine, kinetin, protects against Fenton reaction-mediated oxidative damage to DNA. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 11-19-1999;265(2):499-502.

Sheu JR, Hsiao G, Shen MY, et al. Inhibitory mechanisms of kinetin, a plant growth-promoting hormone, in platelet aggregation. Platelets. 2003;14(3):189-196.

Slaugenhaupt SA, Mull J, Leyne M, et al. Rescue of a human mRNA splicing defect by the plant cytokinin kinetin. Hum.Mol.Genet. 2-15-2004;13(4):429-436.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.