Amra

Mangifera indica L.

Amra (Mangifera indica L.) is a plant used in Ayurveda, from the Anacardiaceae family. Mangifera indica is included in multiple national pharmacopeias. [A Review on Ethnopharmacological Applications, Pharmacological Activities, and Bioactive Compounds of Mangifera indica (Mango)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29456572/).

Key facts
Botanical name	Mangifera indica L.
Family	Anacardiaceae · other entries in this family
Order	Sapindales
Pharmacopoeia status	Mangifera indica is included in multiple national pharmacopeias. WHO recognizes traditional use in various member states. Mangiferin supplements are commercially available globally. Listed in AYUSH pharmacopeias of India.
Taxon identifiers	GBIF 3190638 · Wikidata Q3919027 · NCBI Taxonomy 29780

Names and identification

Language	Name
English	Amra
Latin/Botanical	Mangifera indica L.

Key Phytochemical Constituents

Mangiferin (xanthone C-glucoside)
Isomangiferin
Gallotannins
Gallic acid
Quercetin
Isoquercetin
Ellagic acid
Protocatechuic acid
Catechin
Beta-carotene
Lupeol triterpenoid
Glucogallin

How does it work?

Antidiabetic activity via mangiferin-mediated AMPK activation, enhanced GLUT4 translocation and inhibition of alpha-glucosidase
Anti-inflammatory action through inhibition of NF-kB, COX-2, and iNOS by mangiferin and gallic acid derivatives
Antioxidant activity via xanthone-mediated free radical scavenging, chelation of Fe2+ ions and upregulation of Nrf2/ARE pathway
Anticancer mechanisms through induction of apoptosis (caspase-3/9 activation), cell cycle arrest and inhibition of angiogenesis

Which traditional uses are supported by research?

Antidiabetic use of bark and leaf decoctions validated through multiple preclinical studies and preliminary clinical observations
Anti-diarrheal and dysentery treatment validated through antimicrobial activity and astringent tannin effects in animal models
Oral health use (bark decoction as mouthwash) validated through antimicrobial activity against oral pathogens
Anemia management supported by iron content in leaves and fruits and confirmed hematopoietic effects in deficient models

What do recent clinical trials show?

Ediriweera MK, Tennekoon KH, Samarakoon SR 2017. A Review on Ethnopharmacological Applications, Pharmacological Activities, and Bioactive Compounds of Mangifera indica (Mango). Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM. PMID 29456572 · doi:10.1155/2017/6949835
Documented anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, antioxidant, antibacterial, gastroprotective, hepatoprotective and immunomodulatory activities attributed primarily to mangiferin and gallotannins.
Ediriweera MK, Tennekoon KH, Samarakoon SR 2017. A Review on Ethnopharmacological Applications, Pharmacological Activities, and Bioactive Compounds of Mangifera indica (Mango). Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM. PMID 29456572 · doi:10.1155/2017/6949835
Leaf and bark extracts showed significant anticancer activity in MCF-7 breast cancer and HeLa cervical cancer cell lines through apoptosis induction via caspase-3 activation.

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

Recent safety updates

Mangiferin and mango polyphenols are generally safe at dietary and supplemental doses; GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) status for mango fruit and derived products
Mango latex and sap contain urushiol-like allergens causing contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals; mango allergy (cross-reactivity with cashew and pistachio) documented in clinical reports

What is it made of?

Key Active Markers

Quercetin
Isoquercetin
Catechin
Lupeol
Mangiferin
Isomangiferin
Gallotannins
Gallic acid
Ellagic acid
Protocatechuic acid
Beta-carotene

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

Dosage forms and preparation

Dosage Forms: Churna (dried fruit/seed kernel powder), Amchur (dried unripe fruit powder), Aam Panna (beverage), Capsule, Tablet, Avaleha (preserve), Majja (pulp-based preparations)

Standard Dosage: 3-6g powder twice daily; 5-10g Amchur as culinary-medicinal ingredient; 50-100ml Aam Panna

Bioavailability: Good bioavailability for mangiferin (major xanthone), with oral bioavailability of approximately 5-8% for pure mangiferin but significantly enhanced (2-3x) by mango fruit matrix. Lipid co-administration increases mangiferin absorption by 40-60%. Gallic acid has high oral bioavailability (>70%). Carotenoids (beta-carotene) require fat for absorption.

Optimal Timing: Before meals for appetite stimulation (Amchur); with meals for digestive support; Aam Panna in summer afternoons for heat protection

Standardized Extract: Leaf extract standardized to minimum 5% mangiferin. Bark extract standardized to minimum 8% mangiferin. Seed kernel extract: minimum 15% total tannins (as gallic acid equivalent).

Shelf Life: 2 years (powder/Amchur); 3 years (capsules/tablets); 1 year (pulp preserves); 18 months (Aam Panna concentrate)

Storage: Amchur in airtight containers at room temperature. Extracts below 25°C in moisture-proof packaging. Fresh pulp preparations require refrigeration.

Marker Compounds: Mangiferin, Gallic acid, Ellagic acid, Beta-carotene, Isomangiferin, Quercetin, Catechol tannins

Extraction Methods

Hydroalcoholic extraction (70:30) for mangiferin enrichment
Aqueous extraction for polyphenol fraction
Supercritical CO2 for carotenoid enrichment
Ethyl acetate fractionation for mangiferin isolation
Spray-drying of pulp concentrate

Synergistic Combinations

With Ela (cardamom) for digestive and cooling properties
With Jeeraka and Saindhava in Aam Panna for heat stroke prevention
With Amalaki for antioxidant synergy
With Pippali for enhanced mangiferin absorption

Published research

Literature indexed in PubMed that concerns this subject, grouped by study type. A paper appearing here is a record of what has been published, not evidence that the subject works, and laboratory or animal results do not transfer to people. Study titles link to PubMed so you can read the source rather than take our word.

Other clinical studies and reviews8

Duarte LG, Laurindo LF, Bishayee A and others. 2025. Mango (Mangifera indica L.) By-products in Food Processing and Health PromotionNutrition reviews. PMID 39903188 · doi:10.1093/nutrit/nuae214
Minniti G, Laurindo LF, Machado NM and others. 2023. Mangifera indica L., By-Products, and Mangiferin on Cardio-Metabolic and Other Health Conditions: A Systematic ReviewLife (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 38137871 · doi:10.3390/life13122270
Muthuramalingam P, Muthamil S, Shilpha J and others. 2023. Molecular Insights into Abiotic Stresses in MangoPlants (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 37653856 · doi:10.3390/plants12101939
Kumar M, Saurabh V, Tomar M and others. 2021. Mango (Mangifera indica L.) Leaves: Nutritional Composition, Phytochemical Profile, and Health-Promoting BioactivitiesAntioxidants (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 33669341 · doi:10.3390/antiox10020299
Mirza B, Croley CR, Ahmad M and others. 2021. Mango (Mangifera indica L.): a magnificent plant with cancer preventive and anticancer therapeutic potentialCritical reviews in food science and nutrition. PMID 32506936 · doi:10.1080/10408398.2020.1771678
Quintana SE, Salas S, García-Zapateiro LA. 2021. Bioactive compounds of mango (Mangifera indica): a review of extraction technologies and chemical constituentsJournal of the science of food and agriculture. PMID 34324201 · doi:10.1002/jsfa.11455
Maldonado-Celis ME, Yahia EM, Bedoya R and others. 2019. Chemical Composition of Mango (Mangifera indica L.) Fruit: Nutritional and Phytochemical CompoundsFrontiers in plant science. PMID 31681339 · doi:10.3389/fpls.2019.01073
Ediriweera MK, Tennekoon KH, Samarakoon SR. 2017. A Review on Ethnopharmacological Applications, Pharmacological Activities, and Bioactive Compounds of Mangifera indica (Mango)Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM. PMID 29456572 · doi:10.1155/2017/6949835

Laboratory and animal studies4

Saviano A, Schettino A, Iaccarino N and others. 2024. A reverse translational approach reveals the protective roles of Mangifera indica in inflammatory bowel diseaseJournal of autoimmunity. PMID 38522129 · doi:10.1016/j.jaut.2024.103181
Song M, Wang H, Fan Z and others. 2023. Advances in sequencing and key character analysis of mango (Mangifera indica L.)Horticulture research. PMID 37601702 · doi:10.1093/hr/uhac259
Dorighello GG, Inada NM, Paim BA and others. 2018. Mangifera indica L. extract (Vimang®) reduces plasma and liver cholesterol and leucocyte oxidative stress in hypercholesterolemic LDL receptor deficient miceCell biology international. PMID 29427465 · doi:10.1002/cbin.10950
Shah KA, Patel MB, Patel RJ and others. 2010. Mangifera indica (mango)Pharmacognosy reviews. PMID 22228940 · doi:10.4103/0973-7847.65325

Cite this page. Age Ayurveda. “Amra.” Age Ayurveda Nighantu. Last reviewed 18 September 2026. https://nighantu.ageayurveda.com/herb/amra/
Machine-readable source: Markdown. Reviewed 2026-09-18.

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