J. Pharm. Pharmacogn. Res., vol. 14, no. 5, Article ID 2713, Sep-Oct 2026.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.56499/jppres_14.5.2713

Review

Nutritional composition and biological activities of edible bird's nest: A systematic review of preclinical evidence and future clinical perspectives

[Composición nutricional y actividades biológicas del nido de ave comestible: una revisión sistemática de la evidencia preclínica y perspectivas clínicas futuras]

Musdalifah^1,2,3, Deshanda K. Prayoga^1,3**, Diah L. Aulifa⁴, Indah S. Wahyuni⁵, Jutti Levita^3*

¹Doctoral Program in Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Padjadjaran, Sumedang, Indonesia.

²Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Islam Makassar, Makassar, Indonesia.

³Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Padjadjaran, Sumedang, Indonesia.

⁴Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis and Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Padjadjaran, Sumedang, Indonesia.

⁵Department of Oral Medicine, Faculty of Dentistry, Universitas Padjadjaran, Sumedang, 45363, Indonesia.

*E-mail: *jutti.levita@unpad.ac.id, **deshanda23001@mail.unpad.ac.id

Abstract

Context: Edible bird's nest (EBN), a salivary secretion produced by swiftlets, is a traditional functional food with reported nutritional and biological benefits, but evidence on its safety, translational relevance, and pharmacological activity remains insufficiently clarified.

Aims: This systematic review evaluated evidence on EBN's nutritional composition, bioactive constituents, pharmacological activities, safety concerns, and human relevance.

Methods: PubMed and Scopus were searched for studies published between January 2016 and May 2026, with the final search on June 3, 2026. Eligible studies included compositional analyses, in vitro experiments, and animal studies evaluating EBN or EBN-derived preparations; studies that did not address EBN or its pharmacological activity were excluded. Data were synthesized qualitatively by study type, source, processing method, outcomes, and pharmacological activity; risk of bias was assessed using SYRCLE and QUIN. The review was prospectively registered with PROSPERO (CRD420261426214).

Results: Sixteen preclinical studies met the eligibility criteria; clinical studies were not included in the formal synthesis. Compositional studies generally reported high protein and carbohydrate content, detectable levels of sialic acids, and mineral profiles that varied by origin, nest type, and processing method. Preclinical findings indicated antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, neuroprotective, and antiviral activities, though evidence was heterogeneous and mechanisms were largely inferred rather than directly validated. Safety concerns included nitrite, heavy metal, and microbial contamination, allergenicity, and processing-related variability.

Conclusions: EBN contains several biologically active constituents with potentially promising pharmacological activities in experimental models. However, clinical evidence remains extremely limited, and well-designed randomized controlled trials are needed before therapeutic applications can be recommended.

Keywords: Aerodramus fuciphagus; antioxidant activity; functional food; glycoproteins; preclinical evidence; sialic acid.

Resumen

Contexto: El nido de ave comestible (EBN), secreción salival de las salanganas, se ha consumido tradicionalmente como alimento funcional, con beneficios nutricionales y biológicos reportados. Sin embargo, la evidencia sobre su seguridad, relevancia traslacional y actividad farmacológica no se ha aclarado lo suficiente.

Objetivos: Esta revisión sistemática evaluó la evidencia sobre la composición nutricional, los constituyentes bioactivos, las actividades farmacológicas, las preocupaciones de seguridad y la relevancia humana del EBN.

Métodos: Se realizaron búsquedas en PubMed y Scopus de estudios publicados entre 2016 y mayo de 2026. Se incluyeron análisis de composición y estudios in vitro o en animales sobre el EBN o sus derivados, excluyendo los que no evaluaran su actividad farmacológica. Los datos se sintetizaron según el tipo de estudio, la fuente, el procesamiento, los resultados y la actividad farmacológica; el riesgo de sesgo se evaluó mediante SYRCLE y QUIN. La revisión se registró en PROSPERO (CRD420261426214).

Resultados: Dieciséis estudios preclínicos cumplieron los criterios. Los estudios clínicos no fueron incluidos en la síntesis formal. Los estudios de composición mostraron un alto contenido de proteínas y carbohidratos, ácido siálico detectable y perfiles minerales variables según el origen, el tipo de nido y el procesamiento. Los estudios preclínicos reportaron actividad antioxidante, antiinflamatoria, inmunomoduladora, metabólica, reproductiva, neuroprotectora, dermatológica, antimicrobiana y antiviral, aunque la evidencia fue heterogénea y los mecanismos se infirieron a partir de biomarcadores, sin validación directa. Las preocupaciones de seguridad incluyeron nitritos, nitratos, metales pesados, contaminación microbiana, alergenicidad, adulteración y variabilidad en el procesamiento.

Conclusiones: La evidencia actual indica que el nido de ave comestible contiene diversos componentes biológicamente activos y presenta actividades farmacológicas prometedoras en modelos experimentales. No obstante, la evidencia clínica sigue siendo extremadamente limitada, por lo que se requieren ensayos controlados aleatorizados bien diseñados antes de poder recomendar aplicaciones terapéuticas.

Palabras Clave: actividad antioxidante; Aerodramus fuciphagus; alimento funcional; ácido siálico; evidencia preclínica; glicoproteínas.

https://jppres.com/jppres/pdf/vol14/jppres_14.5.2713.pdf

Citation Format: Musdalifah M, Prayoga DK, Aulifa DL, Wahyuni IS, Levita J (2026) Nutritional composition and biological activities of edible bird's nest: A systematic review of preclinical evidence and future clinical perspectives. J Pharm Pharmacogn Res 14(5): 2713. https://doi.org/10.56499/jppres_14.5.2713

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