# Bakula

> Bakula (Mimusops elengi L.) is a plant used in Ayurveda, from the Sapotaceae family. Dental and gum health use validated through antimicrobial activity against S. Listed in the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India and Unani Pharmacopoeia.

## Key facts

- **Botanical name:** Mimusops elengi L.
- **Family:** Sapotaceae
- **Pharmacopoeia status:** Listed in the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India and Unani Pharmacopoeia. Used traditionally across South and Southeast Asian medicine systems. No WHO monograph available.

## Names and identification

| Language | Name |
|----------|------|
| English | Bakula |
| Latin/Botanical | *Mimusops elengi L.* |

## Key Phytochemical Constituents

- Betulinic acid
- Taraxerone
- [Taraxerol](/glossary/compounds-t-z/#taraxerol)
- Ursolic acid
- [Quercetin](/reference/quercetinquercetin/)
- [Spinasterol](/glossary/compounds-q-t/#spinasterol)
- Mimusopic acid (pentacyclic triterpene)
- [Lupeol](/reference/lupeol/)
- Alpha-amyrin acetate
- D-[mannitol](/glossary/compounds-l-o/#mannitolmannitol)
- [Quercitrin](/glossary/compounds-q-t/#quercitrin)
- Dihydrospinasterol

## How does it work?

- Anti-inflammatory action via triterpenoid-mediated (betulinic acid) inhibition of 5-LOX and COX-2 pathways
- [Anticancer](/reference/anticancer/) activity through betulinic acid-induced mitochondrial apoptosis and caspase cascade activation in cancer cells
- [Anxiolytic](/reference/anxiolytic/) and anticonvulsant effects via GABAergic receptor modulation by bark alkaloid fractions
- Oral health protection through [antimicrobial](/reference/antimicrobial/) activity against Streptococcus mutans and astringent tannin effects on gingival tissue

## Which traditional uses are supported by research?

- Dental and gum health use validated through antimicrobial activity against S. mutans and periodontal pathogens
- Anti-ulcer activity confirmed in aspirin and ethanol-induced gastric ulcer models in rats
- Heart tonic (Hridya) use supported by [cardioprotective](/reference/cardioprotective/) effects in isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarction models
- Snakebite first-aid use partially validated through anti-venom and anti-inflammatory preliminary studies

## What do recent clinical trials show?

- Gami B, Pathak S, Parabia M 2012. [Ethnobotanical, phytochemical and pharmacological review of Mimusops elengi Linn](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23570006/). *Asian Pacific journal of tropical biomedicine*. PMID [23570006](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23570006/) · [doi:10.1016/S2221-1691(12)60221-4](https://doi.org/10.1016/S2221-1691(12)60221-4)  
  Alcohol extract showed notable anti-ulcer activity and anxiolytic effects in elevated plus maze model; identified novel [saponins](/reference/saponins/) from fruit with cytotoxic activity.

*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

- Bark and flower decoctions are traditionally used for dental care and are generally well-tolerated at recommended Ayurvedic doses
- Formal human clinical safety trials are limited; acute toxicity studies in rodents indicate LD50 > 2000 mg/kg for most extracts

## What is it made of?

### Key Active Markers

- Taraxerol
- Quercetin
- Spinasterol
- Lupeol
- Mannitol
- Quercitrin
- Betulinic acid
- Taraxerone
- 
- Ursolic acid
- 

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

## Dosage forms and preparation

**Dosage Forms:** Churna (powder), Kashayam (decoction), Kwath (decoction concentrate), Manjan (tooth powder), Taila (oil), Arishta (fermented preparation)

**Standard Dosage:** 3-6g powder twice daily; 50-100ml decoction; bark powder 1-3g for dental use

**Bioavailability:** Moderate oral bioavailability due to tannin content. Enhancement via co-administration with lipids or [Pippali](/herb/pippali/) (bioenhancer). Saponin [glycosides](/glossary/compounds-g-l/#glycosides) show improved absorption with warm water vehicle. Tannin-rich fractions may benefit from enteric coating to prevent gastric binding.

**Optimal Timing:** After meals for general use; as gargle/mouthwash after meals for dental applications; decoction on empty stomach for uterine tonification

**Standardized Extract:** Bark extract standardized to not less than 10% total [tannins](/reference/tannins/); flower extract standardized to [quercetin](/reference/quercetinquercetin/) content (NLT 0.5%)

**Shelf Life:** 2 years (powder); 3 years (tablet); 1 year (decoction/arishta)

**Storage:** Cool, dry place away from light and moisture. Flower preparations require airtight amber containers.

**Marker Compounds:** Mimusopside, Quercetin, Ursolic acid, Beta-[sitosterol](/glossary/compounds-q-t/#sitosterol), Gallic acid, Lupeol, Mi-saponin A

### Extraction Methods

- Aqueous decoction (1:8, reduced to 1:4)
- Hydroalcoholic extraction (50:50 ethanol:water)
- Cold maceration for flower extracts
- Sequential extraction (hexane then ethanol) for bark

### Synergistic Combinations

- With [Khadira](/herb/khadira/) (Acacia catechu) for oral health formulations
- With [Lodhra](/herb/lodhra/) for astringent gynecological preparations
- With [Yashtimadhu](/herb/yashtimadhu/) for throat and gum care
- With [Jatiphala](/herb/jatiphala/) for dental pain relief

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

## 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.