Golden Dewdrop

Duranta erecta, also known as Golden Dewdrop or pigeon berry, is an evergreen shrub from the family Verbenaceae. Originally native to the tropical regions of the Americas, it is now cultivated worldwide as an ornamental plant. Ecologically, Duranta erecta plays a role above all in urban and horticultural ecosystems, as it attracts insects, especially bees and butterflies, with its dense leaves and flowers and thereby contributes to the promotion of biodiversity. The small, often yellowish to orange-colored flowers are particularly striking, followed by characteristic blue-violet berries that are very popular with birds. Due to its attractive appearance, the plant is frequently used in parks and gardens.

What benefits does the Golden Dewdrop offer for health?

The health benefits of Duranta erecta have so far been scientifically studied only to a limited extent; nevertheless, some studies and traditional applications point to interesting bioactive properties. However, these should be viewed critically, because far more research is necessary, above all in the form of human studies, in order to draw definitive conclusions. Here are some of the findings to date:

  • Antioxidant effect: Extracts from the leaves and fruits contain flavonoids and phenols that can exert a protective effect against oxidative cell damage (1,2).
  • Antimicrobial properties: Investigations suggest that certain compounds in Duranta erecta possess antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal effects that could have a supportive effect in infections (1,3,4,5).
  • Anti-inflammatory effects: Initial studies show a potential inhibition of inflammatory mediators, which points to an anti-inflammatory effect (6).
  • Hepatoprotective effect: Animal studies suggest that the extracts of the leaves and ripe fruits could have a protective effect against liver-damaging toxicity (7).
  • Urolithiasis (kidney stones): In vitro studies indicated that Duranta erecta can inhibit the formation of calcium oxalate crystals. In addition, animal experiments in rats confirmed the plant's promising potential for the treatment of kidney stones (8).

How does Duranta erecta work in the body?

The molecular action of Duranta erecta is based primarily on the secondary plant compounds it contains, such as flavonoids, phenols, and certain alkaloids (9).

Are there any risks or side effects?

  • Toxicity: The berries of Duranta erecta could be toxic to humans and many animals and, if ingested, can lead to nausea, vomiting, and, in severe cases, cardiovascular complaints. Caution in handling is therefore advised.
  • Allergic reactions: Skin contact with the plant sap can cause irritation or allergic reactions in sensitive individuals (4).
  • Lack of long-term studies: Comprehensive clinical studies on the safety and efficacy of Duranta erecta in humans are lacking to date.

Conclusion

Duranta erecta is an ecologically significant and decorative plant whose bioactive constituents exhibit antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties. Despite promising preliminary research results, the health benefits and safe use in humans have not yet been sufficiently substantiated. Due to the potential toxicity of the berries, caution is advised, and consumption should be avoided. Further scientific investigations are necessary to comprehensively clarify potentials and risks.

Sources:

  1. Subsongsang, R., & Jiraungkoorskul, W. (2016). An Updated Review on Phytochemical Properties of "Golden Dewdrop" Duranta erecta. Pharmacognosy reviews, 10(20), 115–117. https://doi.org/10.4103/0973-7847.194042
  2. Khan MA, Rahman MM, Tania M, Shoshee NF, Xu AH, Chen HC. Antioxidative potential of Duranta repens (Linn.) fruits against H2O2 induced cell death in vitro . Afr J Tradit Complement Altern Med. 2013;10:436–41.
  3. Ogbuagu AS, Okoro K, Akpuaka MU, Ogbuagu JO, Ekpunobi UE, Ohaekenyem EC. Quantitative determination of some secondary metabolites and the anti-bacterial effects of the leave extracts of Duranta eracta. Am J Biomed Sci Eng. 2015;1:82–7.
  4. Sharma P, Khandelwal S, Singh T, Vijayvergia R. Phytochemical analysis and antifungal potential of Duranta erecta against some phytopathogenic fungi. Int J Pharm Sci Res. 2012;3:2686–9.
  5. Abou-Setta LM, Nazif NM, Shahat AA. Phytochemical investigation and antiviral activity of Duranta repens. J Appl Sci Res. 2007;3:1426–33.
  6. Sobhy, M., Kirollos, F. N., AbouZid, S. F., Ismail, N. S. M., El-Shiekh, R. A., & Abdel-Sattar, E. (2025). Bioactivity-guided isolation and molecular modeling of the anti-inflammatory constituents from the leaves of Duranta erecta Linn. BMC complementary medicine and therapies, 25(1), 31. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-025-04764-7
  7. Donkor, S., Larbie, C., Komlaga, G., & Emikpe, B. O. (2025). Duranta erecta L. extracts exert hepatoprotective effect on CCl4-induced toxicity via inactivating NF-kB pathway. RPS Pharmacy and Pharmacology Reports, 4(3), rqaf007. https://doi.org/10.1093/rpsppr/rqaf007
  8. Agawane, S. B., Gupta, V. S., Kulkarni, M. J., Bhattacharya, A. K., Koratkar, S. S., & Rao, V. K. (2019). Patho-physiological evaluation of Duranta erecta for the treatment of urolithiasis. Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine, 10(1), 4–11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaim.2017.08.001
  9. Srivastava, M., & Shanker, K. (2022). Duranta erecta Linn: A critical review on phytochemistry, traditional uses, pharmacology, and toxicity from phytopharmaceutical perspective. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 293, 115274. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2022.115274