Ankola
Alangium salviifolium (L.f.) Wangerin
Ankola (Alangium salviifolium (L.f.) Wangerin) is a plant used in Ayurveda, from the Cornaceae (Alangiaceae) family. Not listed in WHO monographs on selected medicinal plants; documented in Indian Pharmacopoeia and recognized in Ayurveda and Siddha traditional medicine systems.
| Botanical name | Alangium salviifolium (L.f.) Wangerin |
|---|---|
| Family | Cornaceae (Alangiaceae) |
| Order | Cornales |
| Pharmacopoeia status | Not listed in WHO monographs on selected medicinal plants; documented in Indian Pharmacopoeia and recognized in Ayurveda and Siddha traditional medicine systems |
| Taxon identifiers | GBIF 3701897 · Wikidata Q10927686 · NCBI Taxonomy 616984 |
Names and identification
| Language | Name |
|---|---|
| English | Ankola |
| Latin/Botanical | Alangium salviifolium (L.f.) Wangerin |
Key Phytochemical Constituents
- Alangine
- Ankorine
- Tubulosine
- Alangicine
- Salsoline
- Salviifosides A
- Beta-sitosterol
- Emodin
- Lamarckianin
- Alangimarine
How does it work?
- Salviifosides A exerts COX-2 inhibitory effects, providing anti-inflammatory activity through selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibition and reduction of prostaglandin E2 synthesis
- Tubulosine alkaloid demonstrates cytotoxic activity against cancer cells by inhibiting protein synthesis and inducing apoptosis through activation of intrinsic mitochondrial pathways
- Alangine and related alkaloids exhibit antihypertensive effects through calcium channel blocking and ACE-inhibitory mechanisms in cardiovascular tissue
Which traditional uses are supported by research?
- Antidiabetic activity validated through in vivo studies showing significant blood glucose reduction consistent with traditional Ayurvedic use for Prameha (diabetes)
- Antiarthritic and anti-inflammatory properties confirmed in preclinical models supporting traditional use for joint pain and rheumatism (Amavata) in Ayurveda
- Antivenomous properties (traditional use as snakebite remedy) partially validated through in vitro studies showing neutralization of venom phospholipase activity
What do recent clinical trials show?
3 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
- Plant is purgative and emetic in nature; fruits and seeds should only be used under medical supervision due to potent alkaloid content
- Sub-chronic safety evaluation of aqueous leaf extract in rats showed no lethal effects at tested doses, but dose-dependent gastrointestinal effects were noted
- Contraindicated during pregnancy and breastfeeding due to emetic alkaloid content; avoid in patients with gastrointestinal bleeding or ulcers
What is it made of?
Key Active Markers
- Sitosterol
- Emodin
- Alangine
- Ankorine
- Tubulosine
- Alangicine
- Salsoline
- Salviifosides A
- Beta-
- Lamarckianin
- Alangimarine
Analytical Methods: HPLC fingerprinting, TLC (identity), LC-MS/MS (marker quantification)
Dosage forms and preparation
Dosage Forms: Churna (seed/bark powder), Taila (seed oil — external use primarily), Lepa (paste for external application), Kashayam (bark decoction), Capsule
Standard Dosage: 1-3g powder twice daily (internal, with caution); external oil/paste as needed. Internal use only under practitioner supervision.
Bioavailability: Limited modern data. Alangium salviifolium (Ankola) contains isoquinoline alkaloids (alangine, alanginine) with moderate to good oral absorption. Emetine-like alkaloids have known bioavailability profiles from Ipecac studies. Seed oil constituents absorbed transdermally when applied topically. Caution: therapeutic index is narrow for alkaloid-rich preparations.
Optimal Timing: As directed by Ayurvedic physician. External applications typically twice daily to affected area.
Standardized Extract: Bark extract standardized to total alkaloid content (specify limit, typically 1-3% total alkaloids as alangine equivalent). Seed oil for external use — cold-pressed, unrefined.
Shelf Life: 2 years (powder); 3 years (seed oil); 2 years (capsules)
Storage: Clearly labeled RESTRICTED — not for unsupervised use. Cool, dry place, airtight containers. Below 25°C.
Marker Compounds: Alangine, Alanginine, Emetine, Cephaeline, Alangimarckine, Beta-sitosterol
Extraction Methods
- Hydroalcoholic extraction (70:30) for alkaloid enrichment
- Cold-pressed seed oil for external preparations
- Aqueous bark decoction
- Acid-base extraction for alkaloid isolation and purification
Synergistic Combinations
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.
Laboratory and animal studies12
- 2026. Multi-technique comparative analysis of bioactive metabolites in Alangium salviifolium (L.f.) Wangerin leaf, fruit and seed extracts using UV-Vis, FTIR, HPLC, LCMS and cytotoxicity evaluation on A431 cell lineNatural product research. PMID 41609250 · doi:10.1080/14786419.2026.2619417
- 2025. Ipecac alkaloid biosynthesis in two evolutionarily distant plantsNature chemical biology. PMID 40461725 · doi:10.1038/s41589-025-01926-z
- 2024. Structurally diverse isoquinoline alkaloids from the barks of Alangium salviifolium (L. f.) Wangerin and their cytotoxicityPhytochemistry. PMID 38750707 · doi:10.1016/j.phytochem.2024.114139
- 2022. A novel hepatoprotective activity of Alangium salviifolium in mouse modelDrug and chemical toxicology. PMID 32141350 · doi:10.1080/01480545.2020.1733593
- 2020. Metabolite Profiling of Alangium salviifolium Bark Using Advanced LC/MS and GC/Q-TOFTechnologyCells. PMID 33374892 · doi:10.3390/cells10010001
- 2019. Octahydro-Protoberberine and Protoemetine-Type Alkaloids from the Stems of Alangium salviifolium and Their CytotoxicityJournal of natural products. PMID 31513408 · doi:10.1021/acs.jnatprod.9b00670
- 2017. Antimicrobial, Anthelmintic, and Antiviral Activity of Plants Traditionally Used for Treating Infectious Disease in the Similipal Biosphere Reserve, Odisha, IndiaFrontiers in pharmacology. PMID 29109684 · doi:10.3389/fphar.2017.00658
- 2015. Bioactive cardinane sesquiterpenes from the stems of Alangium salviifoliumChemistry, an Asian journal. PMID 25645740 · doi:10.1002/asia.201403253
- 2014. Isolation and biological activity of a novel cadinane-type sesquiterpenoid from the essential oil of Alangium salviifoliumJournal of oleo science. PMID 25452263 · doi:10.5650/jos.ess14059
- 2012. Phytochemical screening and anti-inflammatory actions of Alangium salviifolium root extractNatural product research. PMID 22008064 · doi:10.1080/14786419.2011.589054
- 2009. Phenolic glycosides from Alangium salviifolium leaves with inhibitory activity on LPS-induced NO, PGE(2), and TNF-alpha productionBioorganic & medicinal chemistry letters. PMID 19500975 · doi:10.1016/j.bmcl.2009.05.070
- 2002. Antifungal activity and local toxicity study of Alangium salviifolium subsp hexapetalumThe Southeast Asian journal of tropical medicine and public health. PMID 12971498
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