Asana

Names and identification

Language	Name
English	Asana
Latin/Botanical	Pterocarpus marsupium Roxb.

Key Phytochemical Constituents

• (-)-Epicatechin
• Pterostilbene (stilbenoid)
• Marsupsin
• Pterosupin (dihydrochalcone)
• Liquiritigenin
• Isoliquiritigenin
• Beta-eudesmol
• Erythrodiol-3-monoacetate
• Pseudobaptigenin (isoflavone)
• Pterocarpol A and B
• p-Hydroxybenzaldehyde
• 5-Deoxykaempferol

How does it work?

• Antidiabetic activity via (-)-epicatechin-mediated regeneration of pancreatic beta cells and enhancement of insulin secretion
• PTP1B inhibition by pterostilbene improving insulin signaling and glucose uptake in peripheral tissues
• COX-2 selective inhibition by marsupsin and pterocarpol providing anti-inflammatory action without significant GI toxicity
• Cardioprotective effects via pterostilbene-mediated antioxidant protection, lipid lowering and endothelial function improvement

Which traditional uses are supported by research?

These summaries come from the source notes, which do not name the studies behind them.

• Prameha: traditionally used for diabetes. Preclinical studies and a preliminary clinical trial have reported lower blood glucose.
• An in vitro study and STZ-induced diabetic animal models have reported beta-cell regeneration with (-)-epicatechin.
• Traditionally used for inflammation. Studies have reported selective COX-2 inhibition.
• Kino gum: traditionally used for wounds and bleeding. Studies have reported astringent and antimicrobial properties.

What do recent studies show?

• Irfan Dar M, Qureshi MI, Zahiruddin S and others 2022. In Silico Analysis of PTP1B Inhibitors and TLC-MS Bioautography-Based Identification of Free Radical Scavenging and α-Amylase Inhibitory Compounds from Heartwood Extract of Pterocarpus marsupium. ACS omega. PMID 36570189 · doi:10.1021/acsomega.2c04283
  Identified pterostilbene and epicatechin as specific PTP1B inhibitors and alpha-amylase inhibitors through bioautography-guided isolation and molecular docking.

Only studies that could be traced to a published paper are listed here. An absence here means we could not identify the source, not that no work exists.

Recent safety updates

• Heartwood water (Vijaysar tumbler water) is traditionally consumed daily; its clinical safety has not been established in controlled studies
• Standardized extracts should be used under guidance for diabetic patients on concurrent hypoglycemic medications to avoid additive hypoglycemia risk. Kino gum is astringent and should be used cautiously in constipated patients.

Modern Research (Meta-Analysis)

Total PubMed publications found: 101

Key Research Papers

1. The Standardization of

Authors: Chawre Sushil Vilas, Waykar P A, Shinde V S et al. Journal: International journal of applied & basic medical research (2024) PMID: 38504835

Many effective formulations are available in Ayurveda for various diseases. These formulations are lagging in standardization due to the absence of reference standards, whereas maintaining quality standards of given medicines is the need of an hour. …

Keywords: Daruharidradi Ghanavati, diabetes mellitus, high-performance liquid chromatography, thin-layer chromatography

2. Biotechnological Advances in Pharmacognosy and In Vitro Manipulation of

Authors: Ahmad Anees, Ahmad Naseem, Anis Mohammad et al. Journal: Plants (Basel, Switzerland) (2022) PMID: 35161227

Trees are vital resources for economic, environmental, and industrial growth, supporting human life directly or indirectly through a wide variety of therapeutic compounds, commodities, and ecological services. …

Keywords: DNA barcoding, biotechnological tools, ethnomedicine, genetic improvement, in vitro culture

3. Heartwood Extract of

Authors: Dar Mohammad Irfan, Rafat Sahar, Dev Kapil et al. Journal: Metabolites (2022) PMID: 36295849

Diabetes mellitus leads to cellular damage and causes apoptosis by oxidative stress. Heartwood extract of …

Keywords: HepG2 cells, Pterocarpus marsupium, UP-LCMS, diabetes, health care, oxidative stress

4. Pterocarpus marsupium extract extends replicative lifespan in budding yeast.

Authors: Lee Mitchell B, Kiflezghi Michael G, Tsuchiya Mitsuhiro et al. Journal: GeroScience (2021) PMID: 34297314

As the molecular mechanisms of biological aging become better understood, there is growing interest in identifying interventions that target those mechanisms to promote extended health and longevity. The budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae has served as a premier model organism for identifying genetic and molecular factors that modulate cellular aging and is a powerful system in which to evaluate candidate longevity interventions. Here we screened a collection of natural products and natural product mixtures for effects on the growth rate, mTOR-mediated growth inhibition, and replicative lifespan. No mTOR inhibitory activity was detected, but several of the treatments affected growth rate and lifespan. The strongest lifespan shortening effects were observed for green tea extract and ber…

Keywords: Lifespan-extending interventions, Natural products, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, mTOR inhibitors

5. Protective effect of

Authors: Xu YanLi, Zhao Yongxia, Sui YaNan et al. Journal: 3 Biotech (2018) PMID: 29556442

The present study was aimed to investigate the protective effect of …

Keywords: Aldose reductase, Blood insulin, Diabetic cataract, Glucose, Pterocarpus marsupium

6. Anti-cataract activity of Pterocarpus marsupium bark and Trigonella foenum-graecum seeds extract in alloxan diabetic rats.

Authors: Vats V, Yadav S P, Biswas N R et al. Journal: Journal of ethnopharmacology (2004) PMID: 15234767

Long-term complications are frequently encountered in diabetes mellitus and are difficult to treat. This study was undertaken to assess the effect of three antidiabetic plants on the development of cataract in rats. An aqueous extract of Pterocarpus marsupium Linn bark (PM, Hindi name: Vijaysar) (1 g kg(-1) day(-1)), Ocimum sanctum Linn leaves (OS, Hindi name, Tulsi) (200 mg kg(-1) day(-1)) and alcoholic extract of Trigonella foenum-graecum Linn seeds (FG, Hindi name, Methi) (2 g kg(-1) day(-1)) were given to alloxan (120 mg kg(-1)) diabetic rats until the development of cataract. Serum glucose and body weight were monitored at regular intervals while cataract was examined through naked eye as well as slit lamp at 75, 100 and 115 days after alloxan administration. Administration of all the…

7. Pterocarpus marsupium Roxb. heartwood extract synthesized chitosan nanoparticles and its biomedical applications.

Authors: Manne Anupama Ammulu, K Vinay Viswanath, G Ajay Kumar et al. Journal: Journal, genetic engineering & biotechnology (2020) PMID: 32627099

The point of the present investigation was to blend effective chitosan nanoparticles (CNPs) loaded with Pterocarpus marsupium (PM) heartwood extract and evaluate its biomedical applications. Various plant extract concentrations (PM-CNPs-1, PM-CNPs-2, PM-CNPs-3) are used to synthesize chitosan nanoparticles and optimized to acquire a stable nanoparticle formulation. The entrapment efficiency and in vitro release studies of the plant extract encapsulated in CNPs are estimated. The PM-loaded CNPs were characterized by X-ray diffraction, dynamic light scattering (DLS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The synthesized chitosan nanoparticles were evaluated for their alpha-amylase inhibitory activity a…

Keywords: Alpha-amylase inhibitory activity, Anti-inflammatory activity, Chitosan nanoparticles, Pterocarpus marsupium

8. Correction to: Pterocarpus marsupium extract extends replicative lifespan in budding yeast.

Authors: Lee Mitchell B, Kiflezghi Michael G, Tsuchiya Mitsuhiro et al. Journal: GeroScience (2022) PMID: 35320492

What is it made of?

Key Active Markers

• Epicatechin
• Pterostilbene
• Marsupsin
• Pterosupin
• Liquiritigenin
• Isoliquiritigenin
• Pterocarpol
• Beta-eudesmol
• Erythrodiol-3-monoacetate
• Pseudobaptigenin

Dosage forms and preparation

Dosage Forms: Churna (heartwood powder), Kashayam (decoction), Asanadi Kwatha, Capsule, Tablet, Arishta component

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

Optimal Timing: Traditionally, water soaked in a Vijaysar tumbler overnight is consumed early morning on an empty stomach. Powder/capsules are traditionally taken before meals.

Storage: Heartwood stores well, naturally resistant to degradation due to high tannin/phenolic content. Store in dry place. Capsules with desiccant below 25°C.

Marker Compounds: Pterostilbene, Epicatechin, Marsupsin, Marsupin, Pterosupin, Liquiritigenin, Isoliquiritigenin, Pterocarpol, Kinotannic acid

Synergistic Combinations

• With Meshashringi (Gymnema) for diabetes management
• With Haridra for anti-diabetic and anti-inflammatory synergy
• With Amalaki for antioxidant and glycemic control
• Part of Asanadi Kwatha for Prameha (diabetes)