Age Ayurveda Nighantu

Chirabilva

Holoptelea integrifolia

Chirabilva (Holoptelea integrifolia) is a plant used in Ayurveda. Traditional dosing per Vaidya guidance. Bioavailability: Holoptelea integrifolia—triterpenoids (friedelin, lupeol) show moderate oral bioavailability (15-25%) limited by poor water solubility. Lipid-based delivery enhances triterpenoid absorption.

Key facts
Botanical nameHoloptelea integrifolia
FamilyUlmaceae
OrderRosales
Taxon identifiersGBIF 4160169 · Wikidata Q13110312 · NCBI Taxonomy 63066

Names and identification

LanguageName
EnglishChirabilva

Ayurvedic pharmacology (Dravyaguna)

PropertyValueDescription
Rasa (Taste)Kashaya, TiktaPrimary taste
Guna (Quality)Laghu, RukshaPhysical quality
Virya (Potency)UshnaHeating/Cooling effect
Vipaka (Post-digestive)KatuPost-digestive effect

Dosage forms and preparation

Dosage Forms: Churna (powder), Kashayam (decoction), Capsule, Tablet, Taila (oil)

Standard Dosage: 3-6g powder twice daily; 50-100ml decoction; 500mg extract capsule. Traditional dosing per Vaidya guidance.

Bioavailability: Holoptelea integrifolia—triterpenoids (friedelin, lupeol) show moderate oral bioavailability (15-25%) limited by poor water solubility. Lipid-based delivery enhances triterpenoid absorption. Bark tannins may reduce protein absorption if taken with meals. Decoction provides better bioavailability of water-soluble phenolics compared to powder.

Optimal Timing: Before meals with warm water for internal use; external paste applied twice daily on affected area; oil application at bedtime

Standardized Extract: Bark extract standardized to friedelin NLT 1%; total triterpenoids NLT 3%; total tannins NLT 10%

Shelf Life: 2 years (powder); 3 years (capsule/tablet); 3 years (oil)

Storage: Cool, dry place in airtight containers. Bark powder is relatively stable. Protect from moisture.

Marker Compounds: Friedelin, Lupeol, Beta-amyrin, Betulin, Beta-sitosterol, Gallic acid, Ellagic acid, Holoptelin-A and B

Extraction Methods

  • Aqueous decoction of bark/leaves
  • Hydroalcoholic extraction (60:40) for balanced phenolic-triterpenoid extract
  • Ethanol extraction (95%) for triterpenoid enrichment
  • Cold maceration for paste preparations
  • Petroleum ether extraction for lipophilic triterpenoids

Synergistic Combinations

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 reviews2

  1. Ganie SA, Yadav SS. 2014. Holoptelea integrifolia (Roxb.) Planch: a review of its ethnobotany, pharmacology, and phytochemistryBioMed research international. PMID 24949441 · doi:10.1155/2014/401213
  2. Sharma S, Panzani RC, Gaur SN and others. 2005. Evaluation of cross-reactivity between Holoptelea integrifolia and Parietaria judaicaInternational archives of allergy and immunology. PMID 15650307 · doi:10.1159/000083317

Laboratory and animal studies10

  1. Srivastava N, Singh AP, Gupta P and others. 2024. Chemico-nutritional characterization and anti-inflammatory potential of Chirabilva (Holoptelea integrifolia Roxb.) seed: alternate source of protein supplement and fatty acidsJournal of food science and technology. PMID 38966783 · doi:10.1007/s13197-024-05930-4
  2. Mohammed HS, Taha EFS, Mahrous FS and others. 2023. Antimicrobial and antiviral evaluation of compounds from Holoptelea integrifolia: in silico supported in vitro studyRSC advances. PMID 37928846 · doi:10.1039/d3ra05978b
  3. Somwong K, Lertpatipanpong P, Nimlamool W and others. 2022. Effect of Holoptelea integrifolia (Roxb.) Planch. n-Hexane Extract and Its Bioactive Compounds on Wound Healing and Anti-Inflammatory ActivityMolecules (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 36500633 · doi:10.3390/molecules27238540
  4. Yasin H, Mahmud S, Rizwani GH and others. 2019. Effects of aqueous leaves extract of Holoptelea integrifolia (Roxb) Planch on liver and kidney histopathology of albino ratsPakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences. PMID 31081768
  5. Lalan BK, Hiray RS, Ghongane BB. 2015. Evaluation of Analgesic and Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Extract of Holoptelea Integrifolia and Argyreia Speciosa in Animal ModelsJournal of clinical and diagnostic research : JCDR. PMID 26393140 · doi:10.7860/JCDR/2015/12059.6200
  6. Bhuvad SB, Nishteswar K, Acharya R and others. 2014. Comparative anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of leaf powder and decoction of Chirabilva [Holoptelea integrifolia (Roxb.) Planch]Ayu. PMID 26664243 · doi:10.4103/0974-8520.153788
  7. Kumar D, Ganguly K, Hegde HV and others. 2014. Activity of Plumbago zeylanica Linn. root and Holoptelea integrifolia Roxb. bark pastes in acute and chronic paw inflammation in Wistar ratJournal of Ayurveda and integrative medicine. PMID 24812473 · doi:10.4103/0975-9476.128853
  8. Kumar D, Kumar K, Kumar S and others. 2012. Pharmacognostic evaluation of leaf and root bark of Holoptelea integrifolia RoxbAsian Pacific journal of tropical biomedicine. PMID 23569892 · doi:10.1016/S2221-1691(12)60036-7
  9. Saraswathy A, Devi SN, Ramasamy D. 2008. Antioxidant, Heavy Metals and Elemental Analysis of Holoptelea integrifolia PlanchIndian journal of pharmaceutical sciences. PMID 21394277 · doi:10.4103/0250-474X.45419
  10. Srinivas Reddy B, Kiran Kumar Reddy R, Naidu VG and others. 2008. Evaluation of antimicrobial, antioxidant and wound-healing potentials of Holoptelea integrifoliaJournal of ethnopharmacology. PMID 18037253 · doi:10.1016/j.jep.2007.09.031

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