# Agnikarna

> Agnikarna (Gloriosa superba L. (Agnikumarika/Agnimukhi); also associated with Litsea species in some texts) is a plant used in Ayurveda, from the Colchicaceae (Liliaceae sensu lato) family. Colchicine (derived compound) is on WHO Model List of Essential Medicines for gout treatment; whole plant not in WHO herbal monographs; Gloriosa superba listed in CITES and IUCN endangered species databases.

## Key facts

- **Botanical name:** Gloriosa superba L. (Agnikumarika/Agnimukhi); also associated with Litsea species in some texts
- **Family:** Colchicaceae (Liliaceae sensu lato)
- **Pharmacopoeia status:** Colchicine (derived compound) is on WHO Model List of Essential Medicines for gout treatment; whole plant not in WHO herbal monographs; Gloriosa superba listed in CITES and IUCN endangered species databases

## Names and identification

| Language | Name |
|----------|------|
| English | Agnikarna |
| Latin/Botanical | *Gloriosa superba L. ([Agnikumarika](/herb/agnikumarika/)/Agnimukhi); also associated with Litsea species in some texts* |

## Key Phytochemical Constituents

- Colchicine (major alkaloid, 0.1-0.8%)
- Gloriosine
- N-formyl-deacetylcolchicine
- Beta-[sitosterol](/glossary/compounds-q-t/#sitosterol)
- Colchicine glycoside (new)
- Beta- and gamma-lumicolchicines

## How does it work?

- Anti-inflammatory and anti-gout action via colchicine-mediated disruption of microtubule assembly and inhibition of neutrophil migration
- [Antitumor](/glossary/pharmacology/#antitumor) activity through colchicine and gloriosine-mediated mitotic arrest (tubulin binding prevents spindle formation)
- Antithrombotic effect via inhibition of platelet aggregation and modulation of coagulation cascade
- [Analgesic](/reference/analgesic/) activity through peripheral and central pain modulation mechanisms

## Which traditional uses are supported by research?

- Anti-gout and anti-arthritic (Vatarakta) - strongly validated through colchicine's FDA-approved use for acute gout and familial Mediterranean fever
- Wound healing and skin diseases (Kushtha) - partially validated through [antimicrobial](/reference/antimicrobial/) and anti-inflammatory studies
- Labor induction and uterine stimulant (Prasava-janana) - validated but dangerous; colchicine is a known uterine stimulant; use strictly contraindicated without medical supervision
- Anthelmintic (Krimighna) - supported by in vitro studies showing antiparasitic activity

## What do recent clinical trials show?

- Pandey DK, Kaur P, Kumar V and others 2021. [Screening the elite chemotypes of Gloriosa superba L. in India for the production of anticancer colchicine: simultaneous microwave-assisted extraction and HPTLC studies](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33546591/). *BMC plant biology*. PMID [33546591](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33546591/) · [doi:10.1186/s12870-021-02843-8](https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-021-02843-8)  
  Identified elite chemotypes across India with highest colchicine content through HPTLC analysis, establishing parameters for sustainable medicinal sourcing of this endangered species.

*2 further claims previously listed here could not be traced to a published paper and have been removed. An absence here means we could not identify the source, not that no work exists.*

## Recent safety updates

- HIGHLY TOXIC - Classified as Upavisha (semi-poison) in Ayurveda; colchicine has a very narrow therapeutic index; fatal dose in adults is 0.8 mg/kg; symptoms of overdose include multi-organ failure
- Mandatory Shodhana (purification by boiling in cow's milk - [Ksheera](/herb/ksheera/) Swedana for 3 hours) before any Ayurvedic use; raw plant parts should never be consumed
- FDA-approved colchicine (purified) used for gout treatment with strict dosing protocols; listed as endangered species (IUCN); poisoning cases reported from accidental ingestion and suicidal use

## Dosage forms and preparation

**Dosage Forms:** Churna (powder), Kashayam (decoction), Taila (medicated oil for external use), Lepa (paste for topical application)

**Standard Dosage:** 1-3g powder twice daily; 30-50ml decoction twice daily; external oil application as needed

**Bioavailability:** Limited modern bioavailability data. Traditional texts suggest moderate absorption when taken with warm water or specific anupanas. The plant's alkaloid and terpenoid constituents suggest reasonable lipophilic absorption. Co-administration with [Trikatu](/herb/trikatu/) may enhance absorption via [piperine](/reference/piperine/)-mediated mechanisms.

**Optimal Timing:** After meals with warm water for internal use; topical application as needed, typically twice daily

**Standardized Extract:** Limited standardization data. Aqueous extract yield approximately 10-15%. TLC fingerprinting recommended for batch consistency.

**Shelf Life:** 2 years (powder); 3 years (oil preparations); 2 years (tablets/capsules)

**Storage:** Cool, dry place away from light and moisture. Temperature below 30°C, RH < 65%.

**Marker Compounds:** [Alkaloids](/glossary/compounds-1-a/#alkaloids) (total alkaloid content), [Tannins](/reference/tannins/), [Flavonoids](/reference/flavonoids/) (total flavonoid by UV spectrophotometry)

### Extraction Methods

- Aqueous decoction (classical Kashaya vidhi)
- Hydroalcoholic extraction (50:50)
- [Tila](/herb/tila/) taila ([sesame oil](/glossary/concepts-m-y/#tila-taila)) based extraction for external preparations

### Synergistic Combinations

- With [Nimba](/herb/nimba/) for skin conditions
- With [Haridra](/herb/haridra/) for anti-inflammatory applications
- With [Eranda](/herb/eranda/) taila for joint disorders

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Canonical version of this page: https://nighantu.ageayurveda.com/herb/agnikarna/

## Sources

- Amidha Ayurveda Herb Database (700+ herbs, CC-BY-4.0)
- Web research (clinical trials, WHO monographs, safety databases)
- Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India

Published by Age Ayurveda in the Nighantu. Educational reference only, not medical advice.
Incorporates material from the Amidha Ayurveda Herb Database under CC BY 4.0.