Age Ayurveda Nighantu

Asana

Pterocarpus marsupium Roxb.

Asana (Pterocarpus marsupium Roxb.) is a plant used in Ayurveda, from the Fabaceae (Papilionoideae) family. Listed in the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. [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](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36570189/).

Key facts
Botanical namePterocarpus marsupium Roxb.
FamilyFabaceae (Papilionoideae) · other entries in this family
OrderFabales
Pharmacopoeia statusListed in the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. Heartwood is an official drug for Prameha (diabetes) in classical Ayurvedic texts. Included in Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) recommended list of antidiabetic medicinal plants. No WHO monograph but widely recognized.
Taxon identifiersGBIF 5349309 · Wikidata Q2385259 · NCBI Taxonomy 1071187

Names and identification

LanguageName
EnglishAsana
Latin/BotanicalPterocarpus marsupium Roxb.

Key Phytochemical Constituents

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?

  • Antidiabetic (Prameha) use validated through multiple preclinical studies and preliminary clinical trial confirming significant blood glucose reduction
  • Beta-cell regeneration by (-)-epicatechin validated in vitro and in STZ-induced diabetic models
  • Anti-inflammatory use confirmed through COX-2 selective inhibition studies
  • Wound healing and anti-hemorrhagic use (kino gum) validated through astringent and antimicrobial property studies

What do recent clinical trials show?

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

  • Heartwood water (Vijaysar tumbler water) is traditionally consumed daily for diabetes management and is considered safe; clinical safety established through widespread traditional use
  • 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.

What is it made of?

Key Active Markers

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

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

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

Bioavailability: Moderate oral bioavailability. Pterocarpus marsupium heartwood contains pterostilbene (dimethylated resveratrol analog) with significantly better bioavailability (~80%) compared to resveratrol (~20%). Epicatechin from heartwood has ~20% oral bioavailability. Marsupin and pterostilbene are well absorbed from GI tract. The traditional water-vessel preparation (Asana wood tumbler soaked with water overnight) represents a slow cold-extraction method.

Optimal Timing: Water soaked in Vijaysar tumbler overnight, consumed early morning empty stomach for diabetes. Powder/capsules before meals for glycemic control.

Standardized Extract: Heartwood extract (10:1) standardized to minimum 5% pterostilbene. Total polyphenol content minimum 20%. Epicatechin content minimum 3%. Marsupsin content minimum 1%.

Shelf Life: 3 years (heartwood powder); 3 years (capsules/tablets); Vijaysar tumbler usable for 2-3 months (replace when color leaching stops); 5 years (Arishta)

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

Extraction Methods

  • Aqueous decoction (1:8, reduced to 1/4)
  • Hydroalcoholic extraction (70:30) for pterostilbene enrichment
  • Cold aqueous maceration (overnight soaking — traditional tumbler method)
  • Ethanol extraction for flavonoid enrichment
  • Supercritical CO2 for pterostilbene isolation

Synergistic Combinations

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

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 reviews4

  1. Ahmad A, Ahmad N, Anis M and others. 2022. Biotechnological Advances in Pharmacognosy and In Vitro Manipulation of Pterocarpus marsupium RoxbPlants (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 35161227 · doi:10.3390/plants11030247
  2. Tandon N, Yadav SS. 2017. Contributions of Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) in the area of Medicinal plants/Traditional medicineJournal of ethnopharmacology. PMID 27452657 · doi:10.1016/j.jep.2016.07.064
  3. Jung M, Park M, Lee HC and others. 2006. Antidiabetic agents from medicinal plantsCurrent medicinal chemistry. PMID 16719780 · doi:10.2174/092986706776360860
  4. Lodha R, Bagga A. 2000. Traditional Indian systems of medicineAnnals of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore. PMID 10748962

Laboratory and animal studies8

  1. Peng K, Mu J, Li Y and others. 2025. The Combination of Pterocarpus marsupium Bark Extract, Pinus strobus Bark Extract, and Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate Inhibits Melanogenesis via Nicotinamide Nucleotide Transhydrogenase ActivationJournal of cosmetic dermatology. PMID 41408899 · doi:10.1111/jocd.70606
  2. 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 marsupiumACS omega. PMID 36570189 · doi:10.1021/acsomega.2c04283
  3. Dar MI, Rafat S, Dev K and others. 2022. Heartwood Extract of Pterocarpus marsupium Roxb. Offers Defense against Oxyradicals and Improves Glucose Uptake in HepG2 CellsMetabolites. PMID 36295849 · doi:10.3390/metabo12100947
  4. Sharma N, Kar A, Panda S and others. 2022. Co-administration of Pterocarpus marsupium Extract and Glibenclamide Exhibits Better Effects in Regulating Hyperglycemia and Associated Changes in Alloxan-induced Diabetic MiceCurrent topics in medicinal chemistry. PMID 36366849 · doi:10.2174/1568026623666221108125036
  5. Lee MB, Kiflezghi MG, Tsuchiya M and others. 2021. Pterocarpus marsupium extract extends replicative lifespan in budding yeastGeroScience. PMID 34297314 · doi:10.1007/s11357-021-00418-x
  6. Manne AA, K VV, G AK and others. 2020. Pterocarpus marsupium Roxb. heartwood extract synthesized chitosan nanoparticles and its biomedical applicationsJournal, genetic engineering & biotechnology. PMID 32627099 · doi:10.1186/s43141-020-00033-x
  7. Xu Y, Zhao Y, Sui Y and others. 2018. Protective effect of Pterocarpus marsupium bark extracts against cataract through the inhibition of aldose reductase activity in streptozotocin-induced diabetic male albino rats3 Biotech. PMID 29556442 · doi:10.1007/s13205-018-1210-6
  8. Kosaraju J, Madhunapantula SV, Chinni S and others. 2014. Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibition by Pterocarpus marsupium and Eugenia jambolana ameliorates streptozotocin induced Alzheimer's diseaseBehavioural brain research. PMID 24667360 · doi:10.1016/j.bbr.2014.03.026

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  • Sugar FormulaTraditionally used to support healthy carbohydrate metabolism.

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