Karanja: Difference between revisions

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|title=Charak Samhita

|titlemode=append

|keywords= Therapeutic use, herbs, researches on dravya, Charak Samhita, Dravyaguna, carakasamhitaonline, carakasamhita, caraka samhita, Ayurveda, Charak Samhita English translation, ancient Ayurveda text, Indian system of medicine, Ayurveda, Charak, Charaka Samhita, agnivesha, atreya, gopal basisht, yogesh deole, charak samhita wikipedia edition, charak samhita new edition, charaka samhita new edition, carak samhita new edition, caraka samhita new edition, research on charak samhita, text book charak samhita, fundamental principles of ayurveda, basic concepts of ayurveda,

|keywords= Karanja,Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre,Indian beech, Pongam oil tree, Fabaceae (Papilionaceae),Naktamala, Chirabilvaka, skin and hair oil, Therapeutic use, herbs, researches on dravya, Charak Samhita, Dravyaguna, carakasamhitaonline, carakasamhita, caraka samhita, Ayurveda, Charak Samhita English translation, ancient Ayurveda text, Indian system of medicine, Ayurveda, Charak, Charaka Samhita, agnivesha, atreya, gopal basisht, yogesh deole, charak samhita wikipedia edition, charak samhita new edition, charaka samhita new edition, carak samhita new edition, caraka samhita new edition, research on charak samhita, text book charak samhita, fundamental principles of ayurveda, basic concepts of ayurveda,

|description=

|description= Karanja(Pongamia pinnata Pierre, English: Indian beech) is celebrated for its potent anthelmintic (Krumighna), wound-cleansing and healing (Vrana Shodhana), and dermatological (Kushthaghna) properties.

|image=http://www.carakasamhitaonline.com/resources/assets/ogimgs.jpg

|image_alt=charak samhita

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}}

{{Infobox ~~plant~~

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pongamia Karanja (Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre)]

| ~~name~~ = Karanja

| ~~image~~ = ~~Pongamia_pinnata.jpg~~

{{Infobox

| ~~image_caption~~ = ~~Foliage and flowers of ''Pongamia pinnata''~~ (~~Indian beech~~)

|title = Karanja

| ~~binomial_name~~ = ''Pongamia pinnata'' (L.) Pierre

|label1 = Section/Chapter

| ~~family~~ = Fabaceae (Papilionaceae)

|data1 = Herb database/Manjishtha

| ~~common_names~~ = ~~Indian beech~~, ~~Pongam oil tree~~

|label2 = Botanical name(s)

| ~~synonyms~~ = ~~''Naktamala'', ''Chirabilvaka''~~

|data2 = Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre (Synonyms: Millettia pinnata (L.) Panigrahi, Pongamia glabra Vent.

|label3 = Family

|data3 = Fabaceae (Papilionaceae)

|label4 = Availability

|data4 = Available

|label5 = Contributors

|data5 = [[Team Dravyaguna]]

|label6 = Year of publication

|data6 = 2026

|label7 = Publisher

|data7 = [[Charak Samhita Research, Training and Skill Development Centre]]

|label8 = DOI

|data8 = Awaited

}}

'''Karanja''' (Latin: ''Pongamia pinnata'' Pierre, English: '''Indian beech''') is a medium-sized deciduous or evergreen tree belonging to the family Fabaceae (traditionally Papilionaceae). In Ayurveda, it is celebrated for its potent anthelmintic (''Krumighna''), wound-cleansing and healing (''Vrana Shodhana''), and dermatological (''Kushthaghna'') properties.<ref name="API">Anonymous. ''The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India''. Department of Ayush, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of India, New Delhi, Part I. 1986; Volume 1: 40.</ref>

~~== Botanical & Vernacular Names ==~~

* '''Botanical Name:''' ''Pongamia pinnata'' (L.) Pierre

* '''Family:''' Papilionaceae (Fabaceae)

* '''English Name:''' Indian beech

* '''Sanskrit / Classical Name:''' Karanja

== Synonyms in Classical Texts ==

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** ''Naktamala'' – The flowers bloom/blossom during the night.

** ''Chirabilvaka''

* '''Plant Parts Used:''' Seeds, seed oil, leaves, stem bark, flowers, and roots.

== Varieties ==

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Line 162:

* ''Vrana'' (Wounds, ulcers, and non-healing lesions)

* ''Krumi'' (Helminthiasis, worm infestations, and microbes)

* ''~~Kustha~~'' (Dermatological conditions, leprosy, and stubborn skin diseases)

* ''Kushtha'' (Dermatological conditions, leprosy, and stubborn skin diseases)

== Dosage & Administration ==

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Line 177:

== Current Research ==

== Major Phytochemical Profile ==

The therapeutic potential of ''P. pinnata'' is predominantly attributed to its rich content of [[furanoflavone]]s and polyphenolic compounds:

* '''Furanoflavones:''' [[Karanjin]], pongamol, pongapin, kanjone, and pongaglabrone.

* '''Fixed Oils:''' Oleic acid, linoleic acid, stearic acid, and ricinoleic acid isolated from seed oil.

* '''Flavonoids & Polyphenols:''' [[Quercetin]], [[kaempferol]], and condensed tannins present in the leaves and bark.

== Pharmacological Properties & Scientific Evidence ==

=== Anti-inflammatory & Analgesic Efficacy ===

* '''Mechanisms:''' Oral or topical administration of ''P. pinnata'' extracts suppresses pro-inflammatory cytokines, inhibits [[cyclooxygenase]] (COX-2) pathways, and stabilizes lysosomal membranes.

* '''Evidence:''' Aqueous and ethanolic extracts of ''P. pinnata'' stem bark and leaves have demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory activity in acute (carrageenan-induced paw edema) and chronic (cotton pellet granuloma) animal models.<ref name="Srinivasan2001">Srinivasan K, Muruganandan S, Lal J, Chandra S, Tandan SK, Prakash VR (2001). "Evaluation of anti-inflammatory activity of Pongamia pinnata leaves in rats". ''Journal of Ethnopharmacology''. '''78''' (2–3): 151–157. doi:10.1016/S0378-8741(01)00335-3.</ref> Notably, stem bark extracts demonstrate anti-inflammatory effects without producing gastric mucosal lesions or ulceration typical of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).<ref name="Smitha2010">Smitha GN, et al. (2010). "Anti-inflammatory activity of Pongamia Pinnata stem bark in rats". ''Journal of Pharmacy Research''. '''3''' (4): 818–820.</ref>

=== Antimicrobial & Antifungal Activity ===

* '''Mechanisms:''' Active principles such as karanjin and pongamol disrupt microbial cell membrane integrity and inhibit bacterial cell invasion.

* '''Evidence:''' Crude extracts and seed oil display broad-spectrum activity against pathogens including ''[[Staphylococcus aureus]]'', ''[[Pseudomonas aeruginosa]]'', and ''[[Escherichia coli]]''.<ref name="Bajpai2009">Bajpai VK, et al. (2009). "Antibacterial activity of Pongamia pinnata extracts against pathogenic microorganisms". ''Journal of Applied Biomedicine''. '''7''': 201–208.</ref> Seed oil formulations have proven effective against dermatophytes (such as ''[[Trichophyton rubrum]]'') and ''[[Candida albicans]]'', validating traditional applications in managing scabies and eczema. Leaf decoctions also exhibit selective antidiarrheal action by inhibiting cholera toxin production and protecting epithelial cells against invasion.<ref name="Brijesh2006">Brijesh S, Daswani P, Tetali P, Antarkar RV, Birdi TJ (2006). "Studies on Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre leaves: understanding the mechanism(s) of action in infectious diarrhoea". ''Journal of Zhejiang University Science B''. '''7''' (8): 665–674. doi:10.1631/jzus.2006.B0665.</ref>

=== Antidiabetic & Metabolic Regulation ===

* '''Mechanisms:''' Enhances peripheral glucose utilization, inhibits $\alpha$-glucosidase and $\alpha$-amylase enzymes, and decreases lipid peroxidation in pancreatic islet cells.

* '''Evidence:''' Administration of ethanolic leaf and flower extracts produces significant antihyperglycemic effects in diabetic models, restoring plasma glucose levels and tissue antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT) comparable to standard glibenclamide treatment.<ref name="Punitha2006">Punitha R, Manoharan S (2006). "Antihyperglycemic and antilipidperoxidative effects of Pongamia pinnata (Linn.) Pierre flowers in alloxan induced diabetic rats". ''Journal of Ethnopharmacology''. '''105''' (1–2): 39–46. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2005.09.043.</ref><ref name="Sikarwar2010">Sikarwar MS, Patil MB (2010). "Antidiabetic activity of Pongamia pinnata leaf extracts in alloxan-induced diabetic rats". ''International Journal of Ayurveda Research''. '''1''' (4): 199–204. doi:10.4103/0974-7788.76780.</ref>

=== Antioxidant & Cytoprotective Properties ===

* '''Mechanisms:''' Direct free radical scavenging (DPPH, superoxide, ABTS) mediated by high polyphenolic concentrations.

* '''Evidence:''' Leaf and root extracts exhibit strong free radical scavenging capacity, marked by reduced concentrations of malondialdehyde (MDA)—a key marker of oxidative stress and tissue damage.

=== Wound Healing Efficacy ===

* '''Evidence:''' Topically applied seed oil and leaf pastes accelerate wound retraction and epithelialization in excision wound models by facilitating collagen synthesis and minimizing secondary dermal bacterial infections.

== Safety Profile & Toxicity ==

* '''Acute Toxicity:''' Stem bark and aqueous leaf extracts exhibit a high margin of safety, showing no acute toxicity or mortality at oral doses up to 8,000 mg/kg in rodent toxicity screens.<ref name="Srinivasan2001" /><ref name="Smitha2010" />

* '''Precautions:''' Unrefined seed oil contains bitter furanoflavones (principally karanjin) that can induce gastrointestinal irritation if ingested without standard processing or purification.

== Summary Table of Therapeutic Indications ==

{| class="wikitable sortable"

|+ Summary of Therapeutic Efficacy

|-

! Target Indication !! Active Plant Part !! Experimental / Clinical Focus !! Primary References

|-

| Inflammatory Conditions || Stem Bark / Leaves || Paw edema, granuloma models (non-ulcerogenic) || Srinivasan et al., 2001;<ref name="Srinivasan2001" /> Smitha et al., 2010<ref name="Smitha2010" />

|-

| Dermal & Fungal Infections || Seed Oil / Seeds || ''S. aureus'', ''C. albicans'', Dermatophytes || Bajpai et al., 2009<ref name="Bajpai2009" />

|-

| Enteric Pathogens & Diarrhea || Leaf Extract || Inhibition of cholera toxin production & invasion || Brijesh et al., 2006<ref name="Brijesh2006" />

|-

| Hyperglycemia & Diabetes || Flowers / Leaves || OGTT, Alloxan-induced diabetes models || Punitha & Manoharan, 2006;<ref name="Punitha2006" /> Sikarwar & Patil, 2010<ref name="Sikarwar2010" />

|}

== External links ==

* Phytochemical profile & research database: [https://cb.imsc.res.in/imppat/phytochemical/Pongamia%20pinnata IMPPAT Phytochemical Profile: Pongamia pinnata]

== References ==

@@ Line 2: / Line 2: @@
 |title=Charak Samhita
 |titlemode=append
-|keywords= Therapeutic use, herbs, researches on dravya, Charak Samhita, Dravyaguna, carakasamhitaonline, carakasamhita, caraka samhita, Ayurveda, Charak Samhita English translation, ancient Ayurveda text, Indian system of medicine, Ayurveda, Charak, Charaka Samhita, agnivesha, atreya, gopal basisht, yogesh deole, charak samhita wikipedia edition, charak samhita new edition, charaka samhita new edition, carak samhita new edition, caraka samhita new edition, research on charak samhita, text book charak samhita, fundamental principles of ayurveda, basic concepts of ayurveda,
+|keywords= Karanja,Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre,Indian beech, Pongam oil tree,  Fabaceae (Papilionaceae),Naktamala, Chirabilvaka, skin and hair oil,  Therapeutic use, herbs, researches on dravya, Charak Samhita, Dravyaguna, carakasamhitaonline, carakasamhita, caraka samhita, Ayurveda, Charak Samhita English translation, ancient Ayurveda text, Indian system of medicine, Ayurveda, Charak, Charaka Samhita, agnivesha, atreya, gopal basisht, yogesh deole, charak samhita wikipedia edition, charak samhita new edition, charaka samhita new edition, carak samhita new edition, caraka samhita new edition, research on charak samhita, text book charak samhita, fundamental principles of ayurveda, basic concepts of ayurveda,
-|description=
+|description= Karanja(Pongamia pinnata Pierre, English: Indian beech) is celebrated for its potent anthelmintic (Krumighna), wound-cleansing and healing (Vrana Shodhana), and dermatological (Kushthaghna) properties.
 |image=http://www.carakasamhitaonline.com/resources/assets/ogimgs.jpg
 |image_alt=charak samhita
@@ Line 9: / Line 9: @@
 }}
-{{Infobox plant
+[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pongamia Karanja (Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre)]
-| name               = Karanja
-| image              = Pongamia_pinnata.jpg
+{{Infobox
-| image_caption      = Foliage and flowers of ''Pongamia pinnata'' (Indian beech)
+|title = Karanja
-| binomial_name      = ''Pongamia pinnata'' (L.) Pierre
+|label1 = Section/Chapter
-| family             = Fabaceae (Papilionaceae)
+|data1 = Herb database/Manjishtha
-| common_names       = Indian beech, Pongam oil tree
+|label2 = Botanical name(s)
-| synonyms           = ''Naktamala'', ''Chirabilvaka''
+|data2 = Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre (Synonyms: Millettia pinnata (L.) Panigrahi, Pongamia glabra Vent.
+|label3 = Family
+|data3 = Fabaceae (Papilionaceae)
+|label4 = Availability
+|data4 = Available
+|label5 = Contributors
+|data5 =  [[Team Dravyaguna]]
+|label6 = Year of publication
+|data6 =  2026
+|label7 = Publisher
+|data7 =  [[Charak Samhita Research, Training and Skill Development Centre]]
+|label8 = DOI
+|data8  = Awaited
 }}
 '''Karanja''' (Latin: ''Pongamia pinnata'' Pierre, English: '''Indian beech''') is a medium-sized deciduous or evergreen tree belonging to the family Fabaceae (traditionally Papilionaceae). In Ayurveda, it is celebrated for its potent anthelmintic (''Krumighna''), wound-cleansing and healing (''Vrana Shodhana''), and dermatological (''Kushthaghna'') properties.<ref name="API">Anonymous. ''The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India''. Department of Ayush, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of India, New Delhi, Part I. 1986; Volume 1: 40.</ref>
-== Botanical & Vernacular Names ==
-* '''Botanical Name:''' ''Pongamia pinnata'' (L.) Pierre
-* '''Family:''' Papilionaceae (Fabaceae)
-* '''English Name:''' Indian beech
-* '''Sanskrit / Classical Name:''' Karanja
 == Synonyms in Classical Texts ==
@@ Line 32: / Line 38: @@
 ** ''Naktamala'' &ndash; The flowers bloom/blossom during the night.
 ** ''Chirabilvaka''
+* '''Plant Parts Used:''' Seeds, seed oil, leaves, stem bark, flowers, and roots.
 == Varieties ==
@@ Line 155: / Line 162: @@
 * ''Vrana'' (Wounds, ulcers, and non-healing lesions)
 * ''Krumi'' (Helminthiasis, worm infestations, and microbes)
-* ''Kustha'' (Dermatological conditions, leprosy, and stubborn skin diseases)
+* ''Kushtha'' (Dermatological conditions, leprosy, and stubborn skin diseases)
 == Dosage & Administration ==
@@ Line 170: / Line 177: @@
 == Current Research ==
+== Major Phytochemical Profile ==
+The therapeutic potential of ''P. pinnata'' is predominantly attributed to its rich content of [[furanoflavone]]s and polyphenolic compounds:
+* '''Furanoflavones:''' [[Karanjin]], pongamol, pongapin, kanjone, and pongaglabrone.
+* '''Fixed Oils:''' Oleic acid, linoleic acid, stearic acid, and ricinoleic acid isolated from seed oil.
+* '''Flavonoids & Polyphenols:''' [[Quercetin]], [[kaempferol]], and condensed tannins present in the leaves and bark.
+== Pharmacological Properties & Scientific Evidence ==
+=== Anti-inflammatory & Analgesic Efficacy ===
+* '''Mechanisms:''' Oral or topical administration of ''P. pinnata'' extracts suppresses pro-inflammatory cytokines, inhibits [[cyclooxygenase]] (COX-2) pathways, and stabilizes lysosomal membranes.
+* '''Evidence:''' Aqueous and ethanolic extracts of ''P. pinnata'' stem bark and leaves have demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory activity in acute (carrageenan-induced paw edema) and chronic (cotton pellet granuloma) animal models.<ref name="Srinivasan2001">Srinivasan K, Muruganandan S, Lal J, Chandra S, Tandan SK, Prakash VR (2001). "Evaluation of anti-inflammatory activity of Pongamia pinnata leaves in rats". ''Journal of Ethnopharmacology''. '''78''' (2–3): 151–157. doi:10.1016/S0378-8741(01)00335-3.</ref> Notably, stem bark extracts demonstrate anti-inflammatory effects without producing gastric mucosal lesions or ulceration typical of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).<ref name="Smitha2010">Smitha GN, et al. (2010). "Anti-inflammatory activity of Pongamia Pinnata stem bark in rats". ''Journal of Pharmacy Research''. '''3''' (4): 818–820.</ref>
+=== Antimicrobial & Antifungal Activity ===
+* '''Mechanisms:''' Active principles such as karanjin and pongamol disrupt microbial cell membrane integrity and inhibit bacterial cell invasion.
+* '''Evidence:''' Crude extracts and seed oil display broad-spectrum activity against pathogens including ''[[Staphylococcus aureus]]'', ''[[Pseudomonas aeruginosa]]'', and ''[[Escherichia coli]]''.<ref name="Bajpai2009">Bajpai VK, et al. (2009). "Antibacterial activity of Pongamia pinnata extracts against pathogenic microorganisms". ''Journal of Applied Biomedicine''. '''7''': 201–208.</ref> Seed oil formulations have proven effective against dermatophytes (such as ''[[Trichophyton rubrum]]'') and ''[[Candida albicans]]'', validating traditional applications in managing scabies and eczema. Leaf decoctions also exhibit selective antidiarrheal action by inhibiting cholera toxin production and protecting epithelial cells against invasion.<ref name="Brijesh2006">Brijesh S, Daswani P, Tetali P, Antarkar RV, Birdi TJ (2006). "Studies on Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre leaves: understanding the mechanism(s) of action in infectious diarrhoea". ''Journal of Zhejiang University Science B''. '''7''' (8): 665–674. doi:10.1631/jzus.2006.B0665.</ref>
+=== Antidiabetic & Metabolic Regulation ===
+* '''Mechanisms:''' Enhances peripheral glucose utilization, inhibits $\alpha$-glucosidase and $\alpha$-amylase enzymes, and decreases lipid peroxidation in pancreatic islet cells.
+* '''Evidence:''' Administration of ethanolic leaf and flower extracts produces significant antihyperglycemic effects in diabetic models, restoring plasma glucose levels and tissue antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT) comparable to standard glibenclamide treatment.<ref name="Punitha2006">Punitha R, Manoharan S (2006). "Antihyperglycemic and antilipidperoxidative effects of Pongamia pinnata (Linn.) Pierre flowers in alloxan induced diabetic rats". ''Journal of Ethnopharmacology''. '''105''' (1–2): 39–46. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2005.09.043.</ref><ref name="Sikarwar2010">Sikarwar MS, Patil MB (2010). "Antidiabetic activity of Pongamia pinnata leaf extracts in alloxan-induced diabetic rats". ''International Journal of Ayurveda Research''. '''1''' (4): 199–204. doi:10.4103/0974-7788.76780.</ref>
+=== Antioxidant & Cytoprotective Properties ===
+* '''Mechanisms:''' Direct free radical scavenging (DPPH, superoxide, ABTS) mediated by high polyphenolic concentrations.
+* '''Evidence:''' Leaf and root extracts exhibit strong free radical scavenging capacity, marked by reduced concentrations of malondialdehyde (MDA)—a key marker of oxidative stress and tissue damage.
+=== Wound Healing Efficacy ===
+* '''Evidence:''' Topically applied seed oil and leaf pastes accelerate wound retraction and epithelialization in excision wound models by facilitating collagen synthesis and minimizing secondary dermal bacterial infections.
+== Safety Profile & Toxicity ==
+* '''Acute Toxicity:''' Stem bark and aqueous leaf extracts exhibit a high margin of safety, showing no acute toxicity or mortality at oral doses up to 8,000 mg/kg in rodent toxicity screens.<ref name="Srinivasan2001" /><ref name="Smitha2010" />
+* '''Precautions:''' Unrefined seed oil contains bitter furanoflavones (principally karanjin) that can induce gastrointestinal irritation if ingested without standard processing or purification.
+== Summary Table of Therapeutic Indications ==
+{| class="wikitable sortable"
+|+ Summary of Therapeutic Efficacy
+|-
+! Target Indication !! Active Plant Part !! Experimental / Clinical Focus !! Primary References
+|-
+| Inflammatory Conditions || Stem Bark / Leaves || Paw edema, granuloma models (non-ulcerogenic) || Srinivasan et al., 2001;<ref name="Srinivasan2001" /> Smitha et al., 2010<ref name="Smitha2010" />
+|-
+| Dermal & Fungal Infections || Seed Oil / Seeds || ''S. aureus'', ''C. albicans'', Dermatophytes || Bajpai et al., 2009<ref name="Bajpai2009" />
+|-
+| Enteric Pathogens & Diarrhea || Leaf Extract || Inhibition of cholera toxin production & invasion || Brijesh et al., 2006<ref name="Brijesh2006" />
+|-
+| Hyperglycemia & Diabetes || Flowers / Leaves || OGTT, Alloxan-induced diabetes models || Punitha & Manoharan, 2006;<ref name="Punitha2006" /> Sikarwar & Patil, 2010<ref name="Sikarwar2010" />
+|}
+== External links ==
 * Phytochemical profile & research database: [https://cb.imsc.res.in/imppat/phytochemical/Pongamia%20pinnata IMPPAT Phytochemical Profile: Pongamia pinnata]
 == References ==
 <references />