# Chakramarda

> Chakramarda (Cassia tora L. (syn. Senna tora)) is a plant used in Ayurveda. Ringworm treatment (Dadru): Validated by isolation of potent antifungal anthraquinones (chrysophanol, emodin, physcion) with 4-8 fold higher activity than crude extract against T. Listed in the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India.

## Key facts

- **Botanical name:** Cassia tora L. (syn. Senna tora)
- **Pharmacopoeia status:** Listed in the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. Referenced in WHO regional traditional medicine databases. Widely recognized in traditional medicine systems of India, China, and Southeast Asia for skin fungal conditions. No dedicated WHO monograph published.

## Names and identification

| Language | Name |
|----------|------|
| English | Chakramarda |
| Latin/Botanical | *Cassia tora L. (syn. [Senna](/herb/senna/) tora)* |

## Key Phytochemical Constituents

- [Chrysophanol](/glossary/compounds-c-d/#chrysophanol) (anthraquinone - primary antifungal)
- [Emodin](/glossary/compounds-d-g/#emodin) (anthraquinone with anti-inflammatory and antifungal activity)
- [Physcion](/glossary/compounds-o-q/#physcion) (anthraquinone)
- Obtusin and aurantio-obtusin (anthraquinone [glycosides](/glossary/compounds-g-l/#glycosides))
- [Rhein](/glossary/compounds-q-t/#rhein) (anthraquinone)
- 1-Desmethylaurantio-obtusin
- Toralactone (naphtho-pyranone)
- Rubrofusarin (naphthoquinone)

## How does it work?

- Anthraquinone antifungal mechanism: Chrysophanol and emodin disrupt fungal cell membrane integrity by interfering with [ergosterol](/glossary/compounds-d-g/#ergosterol) biosynthesis, leading to fungal cell lysis and death - particularly effective against ringworm (Microsporon, Trichophyton) species
- Emodin anti-inflammatory NF-kB pathway: Emodin suppresses NF-kB activation and reduces pro-inflammatory cytokine cascade, alleviating inflammatory skin conditions like eczema and dermatitis
- Chrysophanol antibacterial action: Chrysophanol inhibits bacterial protein synthesis and damages bacterial DNA, providing broad-spectrum [antimicrobial](/reference/antimicrobial/) activity against skin pathogens including S. aureus and S. epidermidis
- Toralactone [antioxidant](/reference/antioxidant/) protection: Naphtho-pyranone compounds scavenge free radicals and reduce oxidative stress in skin tissues, supporting overall skin health

## Which traditional uses are supported by research?

- Ringworm treatment (Dadru): Validated by isolation of potent antifungal [anthraquinones](/glossary/compounds-1-a/#anthraquinones) (chrysophanol, emodin, physcion) with 4-8 fold higher activity than crude extract against T. mentagrophyte
- Skin fungal infections (Kushtha): Validated by demonstrated broad-spectrum antifungal activity against Microsporon nanum, Candida albicans, and other dermatophytes
- Eczema and inflammatory skin conditions: Supported by emodin-mediated anti-inflammatory NF-kB suppression

## What do recent clinical trials show?

- Kim YM, Lee CH, Kim HG and others 2004. [Anthraquinones isolated from Cassia tora (Leguminosae) seed show an antifungal property against phytopathogenic fungi](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15453672/). *Journal of agricultural and food chemistry*. PMID [15453672](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15453672/) · [doi:10.1021/jf049379p](https://doi.org/10.1021/jf049379p)  
  Emodin, physcion, and rhein demonstrated strong and moderate fungicidal activities against multiple fungal species (B. cinerea, E. graminis, P. infestans, R. solani), establishing the antifungal basis for traditional ringworm treatment.

*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

- Anthraquinone-containing preparations may cause contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals. Seeds contain anthraquinone glycosides with [laxative](/reference/laxative/) effects - oral use should be dose-controlled to avoid gastrointestinal disturbance
- Limited formal toxicology data available for topical dermatological applications. Traditional use indicates safety for external application on skin fungal infections. Not recommended for prolonged internal use due to anthraquinone content

## What is it made of?

### Key Active Markers

- Chrysophanol
- Emodin
- Physcion
- Glycosides
- Rhein
- Obtusin and aurantio-obtusin 
- Toralactone 
- Rubrofusarin 

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

## Dosage forms and preparation

**Dosage Forms:** Churna (seed powder), Lepa (seed paste for external use), Taila (oil), Kashayam (decoction), Capsule, Ointment

**Standard Dosage:** 1-3g seed powder twice daily; external paste applied twice daily for skin conditions; 500mg extract capsule; 50-100ml leaf decoction

**Bioavailability:** Chrysophanol and related anthraquinones show moderate oral bioavailability (20-35%) with significant gut microbial metabolism to active aglycones. Chryso-obtusin and aurantio-obtusin undergo hepatic glucuronidation. Topical bioavailability is high for anthraquinones due to their lipophilicity. Seeds provide the highest concentration of dermatologically active compounds.

**Optimal Timing:** External application twice daily for skin conditions (clean and dry skin first); oral use before meals; seed paste applied at bedtime for fungal infections

**Standardized Extract:** Seed extract standardized to chrysophanol NLT 2%; total anthraquinones NLT 5%. Seed oil cold-pressed with linoleic acid NLT 35%.

**Shelf Life:** 2 years (seed powder); 3 years (capsule/tablet); 2 years (oil); 1 year (ointment)

**Storage:** Seeds and powder in airtight containers. Oil in amber glass bottles. Ointments at room temperature in tubes. Protect from light—anthraquinones are photosensitive.

**Marker Compounds:** Chrysophanol, Physcion, Emodin, Obtusin, Aurantio-obtusin, Chryso-obtusin, Rubrofusarin, Torachrysone

### Extraction Methods

- Ethanol extraction (70%) of seeds for anthraquinone enrichment
- Seed oil extraction by cold pressing
- Aqueous decoction of leaves
- Hydroalcoholic extraction (60:40) for balanced extract
- Soxhlet extraction with chloroform for chrysophanol isolation

### Synergistic Combinations

- With [Karanja](/herb/karanja/) (Pongamia) for antifungal skin formulations
- With [Haridra](/herb/haridra/) for ringworm and dermatophytosis
- With [Daruharidra](/herb/daruharidra/) for skin infections
- With [Neem](/herb/neem/) oil for comprehensive antifungal topicals
- With [Bakuchi](/herb/bakuchi/) for vitiligo and skin depigmentation

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

## 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.