Danti

Baliospermum montanum (Willd.) Muell.-Arg.

Danti (Baliospermum montanum (Willd.) Muell.-Arg.) is a plant used in Ayurveda, from the Euphorbiaceae family. Not in WHO monographs; listed in Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India as a Virechana (purgative) drug; classified under Upavisha (semi-toxic) category in some texts requiring mandatory purification.

Key facts
Botanical name	Baliospermum montanum (Willd.) Muell.-Arg.
Currently accepted name	Baliospermum solanifolium (Burm.) Suresh — the name above is treated as a synonym by GBIF; both are in use
Family	Euphorbiaceae · other entries in this family
Order	Malpighiales
Pharmacopoeia status	Not in WHO monographs; listed in Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India as a Virechana (purgative) drug; classified under Upavisha (semi-toxic) category in some texts requiring mandatory purification
Taxon identifiers	GBIF 3062302 · Wikidata Q3595677 · NCBI Taxonomy 316758

Names and identification

Language	Name
English	Danti
Latin/Botanical	Baliospermum montanum (Willd.) Muell.-Arg.

Key Phytochemical Constituents

Phorbol esters (diterpene esters - purgative principle)
Alkaloids (6.2-9.5%)
Flavonoids (35.63-43.33%)
Phenolics (38.43-43.44%)
Tannins (13.26-18.3%)
Terpenoids (25.36-33.4%) and saponins (9.9-13.2%)

How does it work?

Purgative (Virechana) action through phorbol ester-mediated stimulation of intestinal secretion and peristalsis via protein kinase C activation
Anticancer activity via induction of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in cancer cell lines by terpenoid and flavonoid fractions
Hepatoprotective effect through phenolic and flavonoid-mediated antioxidant protection and restoration of liver enzyme levels
Immunomodulatory action through stimulation of both humoral and cell-mediated immune responses

Which traditional uses are supported by research?

Strong purgative (Tikshna Virechana) - validated through phorbol ester-mediated stimulant laxative mechanism; used in Panchakarma Virechana therapy
Skin diseases and leprosy (Kushtha) - antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory data support traditional dermatological use
Anti-helminthic (Krimighna) - confirmed in vitro anthelmintic activity against Pheretima posthuma
Anti-dropsy and edema (Shotha-hara) - traditional use supported by diuretic and anti-inflammatory pharmacological data

What do recent clinical trials show?

Jagannath S, Konappa N, Lokesh A and others 2021. Bioactive compounds guided diversity of endophytic fungi from Baliospermum montanum and their potential extracellular enzymes. Analytical biochemistry. PMID 33245903 · doi:10.1016/j.ab.2020.114024
Explored endophytic fungi from B. montanum as sources of bioactive compounds, identifying novel antimicrobial and anticancer metabolites produced by fungal endophytes.

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

Classified as a strong purgative (Tikshna Virechana Dravya) in Ayurveda; must be used only under qualified practitioner supervision with proper dose calculation based on patient constitution
Latex and seeds are highly irritant; can cause severe purgation, abdominal cramps, and dehydration if misused; not recommended during pregnancy, for children, or in debilitated patients; Shodhana (purification) is mandatory before internal use

Dosage forms and preparation

Dosage Forms: Churna (powder), Tablet, Kwath (decoction), Bhasma preparation, Capsule

Standard Dosage: 1-3g powder as purgative (single dose); 500mg-1g for mild laxative effect; use under practitioner supervision due to potent action

Bioavailability: Contains phorbol esters and diterpenoids with moderate oral bioavailability. The resinous purgative principles are released in the GI tract and act locally on intestinal mucosa. Systemic absorption of toxic diterpenes can cause adverse effects at high doses. Co-processing with Shodhan (purification with cow’s milk or Kanji) reduces toxic constituents while preserving laxative activity. No significant enhancement strategies needed for purgative action as local GI activity is the target.

Optimal Timing: Early morning on empty stomach with warm water for purgative action; at bedtime for milder laxative effect

Standardized Extract: Shodhita (purified) root extract; no standardized commercial extract widely available. Traditional preparation as Churna or Kwath from Shodhita root material. Phorbol ester content must be below safety threshold post-Shodhana.

Shelf Life: 1 year (Shodhita powder); 2 years (tablet with moisture barrier packaging)

Storage: Store in airtight, light-resistant containers below 25 deg C. Label must clearly state ‘Shodhita’ (purified) and carry appropriate caution warnings. Keep out of reach of children.

Marker Compounds: 12-Deoxyphorbol esters (for toxicity monitoring, must be reduced post-Shodhana), Montanin, Baliospermin, Beta-sitosterol

Extraction Methods

Traditional Shodhana (purification) processing mandatory before use
Aqueous decoction after Shodhana
Hydroalcoholic extraction (60:40) of purified root
Cold maceration in buttermilk (traditional)

Synergistic Combinations

With Trivrit (Operculina turpethum) in Avipattikar Churna for graded purgation
With Haritaki for balanced bowel regulation
With Sunthi (ginger) to reduce griping pain during purgation
With Yavani (Trachyspermum) to prevent colic

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.

Laboratory and animal studies12

Rana S, Chatterjee A, Kumar Padhi S. 2024. A Single Enzyme in Enantiocomplementary Synthesis of β-Nitroalcohols: Bidirectional Catalysis by Hydroxynitrile LyaseChembiochem : a European journal of chemical biology. PMID 39073741 · doi:10.1002/cbic.202400618
Jagannath S, Konappa N, Lokesh A and others. 2021. Bioactive compounds guided diversity of endophytic fungi from Baliospermum montanum and their potential extracellular enzymesAnalytical biochemistry. PMID 33245903 · doi:10.1016/j.ab.2020.114024
Jangir N, Padhi SK. 2019. Immobilized Baliospermum montanum hydroxynitrile lyase catalyzed synthesis of chiral cyanohydrinsBioorganic chemistry. PMID 30481644 · doi:10.1016/j.bioorg.2018.11.017
Pipatrattanaseree W, Itharat A, Mukkasombut N and others. 2019. Potential in vitro anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic activities of ethanolic extract of Baliospermum montanum root, its major components and a validated HPLC methodBMC complementary and alternative medicine. PMID 30755219 · doi:10.1186/s12906-019-2449-0
Cherian AM, Snima KS, Kamath CR and others. 2015. Effect of Baliospermum montanum nanomedicine apoptosis induction and anti-migration of prostate cancer cellsBiomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie. PMID 25960237 · doi:10.1016/j.biopha.2015.02.016
Kawahara N, Asano Y. 2015. Mutagenesis of an Asn156 Residue in a Surface Region of S-Selective Hydroxynitrile Lyase from Baliospermum montanum Enhances Catalytic Efficiency and EnantioselectivityChembiochem : a European journal of chemical biology. PMID 26109164 · doi:10.1002/cbic.201500225
Nakano S, Dadashipour M, Asano Y. 2014. Structural and functional analysis of hydroxynitrile lyase from Baliospermum montanum with crystal structure, molecular dynamics and enzyme kineticsBiochimica et biophysica acta. PMID 25220808 · doi:10.1016/j.bbapap.2014.09.004
Kumar SV, Mishra SH. 2014. Protective effect of extracts of Baliospermum montanum (Willd.) Muell.-Arg. against paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity-an in vivo and in vitro studyAncient science of life. PMID 25593401 · doi:10.4103/0257-7941.147427
Dadashipour M, Yamazaki M, Momonoi K and others. 2011. S-selective hydroxynitrile lyase from a plant Baliospermum montanum: molecular characterization of recombinant enzymeJournal of biotechnology. PMID 21352863 · doi:10.1016/j.jbiotec.2011.02.004
Venkatesh P, Mukherjee PK, Mukherjee D and others. 2010. Potential of Baliospermum montanum against compound 48/80-induced systemic anaphylaxisPharmaceutical biology. PMID 20818926 · doi:10.3109/13880201003677827
Patil KS, Jalalpure SS, Wadekar RR. 2009. Effect of Baliospermum montanum Root Extract on Phagocytosis by Human NeutrophilsIndian journal of pharmaceutical sciences. PMID 20177463 · doi:10.4103/0250-474X.51966
Asano Y, Tamura K, Doi N and others. 2005. Screening for new hydroxynitrilases from plantsBioscience, biotechnology, and biochemistry. PMID 16377893 · doi:10.1271/bbb.69.2349

Cite this page. Age Ayurveda. “Danti.” Age Ayurveda Nighantu. Last reviewed 18 September 2026. https://nighantu.ageayurveda.com/herb/danti/
Machine-readable source: Markdown. Reviewed 2026-09-18.

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