Chakramarda
Cassia tora L. (syn. Senna tora)
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.
| Botanical name | Cassia tora L. (syn. Senna tora) |
|---|---|
| Currently accepted name | Senna tora (L.) Roxb. — the name above is treated as a synonym by GBIF; both are in use |
| Family | Fabaceae · other entries in this family |
| Order | Fabales |
| 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. |
| Taxon identifiers | GBIF 5354127 · Wikidata Q21872227 · NCBI Taxonomy 362788 |
Names and identification
| Language | Name |
|---|---|
| English | Chakramarda |
| Latin/Botanical | Cassia tora L. (syn. Senna tora) |
Key Phytochemical Constituents
- Chrysophanol (anthraquinone - primary antifungal)
- Emodin (anthraquinone with anti-inflammatory and antifungal activity)
- Physcion (anthraquinone)
- Obtusin and aurantio-obtusin (anthraquinone glycosides)
- 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 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 activity against skin pathogens including S. aureus and S. epidermidis
- Toralactone 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 (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. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry. PMID 15453672 · doi: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 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 (Pongamia) for antifungal skin formulations
- With Haridra for ringworm and dermatophytosis
- With Daruharidra for skin infections
- With Neem oil for comprehensive antifungal topicals
- With Bakuchi for vitiligo and skin depigmentation
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
- 2023. Pharmacological properties and underlying mechanisms of aurantio‑obtusin (Review)Experimental and therapeutic medicine. PMID 37456169 · doi:10.3892/etm.2023.12079
- 2022. Preclinical activities of Cassia tora Linn against aging-related diseasesExpert reviews in molecular medicine. PMID 36281483 · doi:10.1017/erm.2022.33
- 2021. Screening for natural and derived bio-active compounds in preclinical and clinical studies: One of the frontlines of fighting the coronaviruses pandemicPhytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology. PMID 33067112 · doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2020.153311
- 2015. Rhein: A Review of Pharmacological ActivitiesEvidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM. PMID 26185519 · doi:10.1155/2015/578107
Laboratory and animal studies8
- 2025. Valorization of Cassia tora Seeds: Extraction and Biofunctional Characterization of Cassia tora Seed GumBiopolymers. PMID 40103345 · doi:10.1002/bip.70011
- 2024. Nutraceutical Potential of Wild Leafy Vegetables Commonly Consumed by Tribal Communities: Cassia tora (L.) Roxb., Acalypha fruiticosa Forssk. and Talinum portulacifolium (Forssk.) Asch. ex SchweinfPlant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands). PMID 39738942 · doi:10.1007/s11130-024-01280-w
- 2022. Engineering properties of Cassia tora L. seeds and meal as a function of moisture contentScientific reports. PMID 35606481 · doi:10.1038/s41598-022-12748-7
- 2020. Cassia tora extract alleviates Aβ(1-42) aggregation processes in vitro and protects against aluminium-induced neurodegeneration in ratsThe Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology. PMID 32363579 · doi:10.1111/jphp.13283
- 2018. Editorial: The Potential Medicinal Uses of Cassia tora Linn Leaf and Seed ExtractsReviews on recent clinical trials. PMID 29469686 · doi:10.2174/157488711301180131145359
- 2017. Mosquito larvicidal activity of Cassia tora seed extract and its key anthraquinones aurantio-obtusin and obtusinParasites & vectors. PMID 29126433 · doi:10.1186/s13071-017-2512-y
- 2017. Cassia tora Linn.: A boon to Alzheimer's disease for its anti-amyloidogenic and cholinergic activitiesPhytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology. PMID 28887919 · doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2017.06.002
- 2016. Polyphenols of Cassia tora leaves prevents lenticular apoptosis and modulates cataract pathology in Sprague-Dawley rat pupsBiomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie. PMID 27261615 · doi:10.1016/j.biopha.2016.04.018
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