# Ambasthaki

> Ambasthaki (Cissampelos pareira L.) is a plant used in Ayurveda, from the Menispermaceae family. Not in WHO monographs; recognized in Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India as Laghu Patha/Ambastha; widely used in Latin American and African traditional medicine systems.

## Key facts

- **Botanical name:** Cissampelos pareira L.
- **Family:** Menispermaceae
- **Pharmacopoeia status:** Not in WHO monographs; recognized in Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India as Laghu Patha/Ambastha; widely used in Latin American and African traditional medicine systems

## Names and identification

| Language | Name |
|----------|------|
| English | Ambasthaki |
| Latin/Botanical | *Cissampelos pareira L.* |

## Key Phytochemical Constituents

- Pareirarine (new isoquinoline alkaloid)
- [Magnoflorine](/glossary/compounds-l-o/#magnoflorine)
- Magnocurarine
- Salutaridine
- Cissamine and hayatinine
- [Flavonoids](/reference/flavonoids/) and flavonoid [glycosides](/glossary/compounds-g-l/#glycosides)

## How does it work?

- Antimalarial/antiplasmodial activity via isoquinoline alkaloid-mediated disruption of Plasmodium parasite metabolism
- Anti-inflammatory action through inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-alpha, IL-6) and NF-kB pathway modulation by magnoflorine
- [Anticancer](/reference/anticancer/) activity through induction of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in cancer cell lines by alkaloid fractions
- [Antidiabetic](/reference/antidiabetic/) effect via alpha-glucosidase and alpha-amylase inhibition

## Which traditional uses are supported by research?

- Antimalarial and [antipyretic](/reference/antipyretic/) (Jvara-nashaka) - strongly validated through identification of active antiplasmodial [alkaloids](/glossary/compounds-1-a/#alkaloids)
- Menstrual regulation and uterine tonic (Artava-janana) - partially validated through smooth muscle studies
- Anti-inflammatory and antiarthritic (Shotha-hara) - confirmed through in vivo anti-inflammatory models
- Snakebite antidote (Visha-nashaka) - partially validated through antivenom studies in folk medicine

## What do recent clinical trials show?

- Thim-Uam A, Thepmalee C, Chaiwangyen W and others 2025. [Phytochemical Screening and In Vitro Antioxidant and Anticancer Evaluation of Stem and Leaf Extracts of Cissampelos pareira L](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40689394/). *Mediators of inflammation*. PMID [40689394](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40689394/) · [doi:10.1155/mi/7555073](https://doi.org/10.1155/mi/7555073)  
  Identified exceptionally high phenolic (95.73 mg GAE/g in leaves) and flavonoid (82.68 mg CE/g in leaves) content; demonstrated significant anticancer activity against multiple cancer cell lines.
- Bhatt V, Kumari S, Upadhyay P and others 2020. [Chemical profiling and quantification of potential active constituents responsible for the antiplasmodial activity of Cissampelos pareira](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32726676/). *Journal of ethnopharmacology*. PMID [32726676](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32726676/) · [doi:10.1016/j.jep.2020.113185](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2020.113185)  
  Identified and quantified specific isoquinoline alkaloids responsible for the potent antiplasmodial (antimalarial) activity of the plant, validating traditional use against fevers.
- Kumari S, Anmol, Bhatt V and others 2021. [Cissampelos pareira L.: A review of its traditional uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacology](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33485976/). *Journal of ethnopharmacology*. PMID [33485976](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33485976/) · [doi:10.1016/j.jep.2021.113850](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2021.113850)  
  Comprehensive review documenting 54 phytomolecules isolated from the plant, primarily isoquinoline alkaloids, with validated antimalarial, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer pharmacological activities.

## Recent safety updates

- Traditional use over centuries suggests relative safety at recommended doses; however, systematic toxicological studies are limited
- May cause uterine contractions; strictly contraindicated during pregnancy; potential interactions with anticoagulant medications due to alkaloid content

## What is it made of?

### Key Active Markers

- Magnoflorine
- Flavonoids
- Glycosides
- Pareirarine 
- Magnocurarine
- Salutaridine
- Cissamine and hayatinine
- 

**Analytical Methods:** HPLC fingerprinting, TLC (identity), LC-MS/MS (marker quantification)

## Dosage forms and preparation

**Dosage Forms:** Churna (powder), Kashayam (decoction), Capsule, Tablet, Avaleha (confection)

**Standard Dosage:** 3-6g powder twice daily; 50-100ml decoction twice daily; 500mg-1g extract capsule

**Bioavailability:** Moderate oral bioavailability. Cissampelos pareira ([Patha](/herb/patha/)/Ambasthaki) contains bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids (hayatinine, cissampareine) with moderate lipophilicity and reasonable GI absorption. Alkaloid bioavailability enhanced by [piperine](/reference/piperine/) co-administration. Traditional preparation with honey may improve mucosal absorption.

**Optimal Timing:** Before meals with warm water or honey for urinary and digestive indications

**Standardized Extract:** Root extract (10:1) standardized to minimum 2% total bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids. Hayatinine content minimum 0.5%.

**Shelf Life:** 2 years (powder); 3 years (capsules/tablets); 6 months (decoction with preservative)

**Storage:** Cool, dry place below 25°C. Protect from moisture and light. Airtight containers.

**Marker Compounds:** Hayatinine, Cissampareine, Pareirine, Curine, Cycleanine, Beta-[sitosterol](/glossary/compounds-q-t/#sitosterol)

### Extraction Methods

- Aqueous decoction (1:8, reduced to 1/4)
- Hydroalcoholic extraction (70:30 ethanol-water)
- Methanol extraction for alkaloid enrichment
- Acid-base extraction for alkaloid isolation

### Synergistic Combinations

- With [Gokshura](/herb/gokshura/) for urinary tract disorders
- With Pashanbheda for renal calculi
- With [Guduchi](/herb/guduchi/) for fever management
- With Kutaja for diarrhea and dysentery

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

## 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.