# Dhamasa

> Dhamasa (Fagonia cretica L. / Fagonia arabica L.) is a plant used in Ayurveda, from the Zygophyllaceae family. Not listed in WHO monographs; recognized in Ayurvedic and Unani pharmacopoeias; used extensively in South Asian and Middle Eastern traditional medicine systems.

## Key facts

- **Botanical name:** Fagonia cretica L. / Fagonia arabica L.
- **Family:** Zygophyllaceae
- **Pharmacopoeia status:** Not listed in WHO monographs; recognized in Ayurvedic and Unani pharmacopoeias; used extensively in South Asian and Middle Eastern traditional medicine systems

## Names and identification

| Language | Name |
|----------|------|
| English | Dhamasa |
| Latin/Botanical | *Fagonia cretica L. / Fagonia arabica L.* |

## Key Phytochemical Constituents

- [Flavonoids](/reference/flavonoids/) ([isorhamnetin](/glossary/compounds-g-l/#isorhamnetin) derivatives, [rutin](/glossary/compounds-q-t/#rutin), [quercetin](/reference/quercetinquercetin/))
- [Diterpenes](/glossary/compounds-d-g/#diterpenes)
- Triterpene [saponins](/reference/saponins/)
- [Sterols](/glossary/compounds-q-t/#sterols) (beta-[sitosterol](/glossary/compounds-q-t/#sitosterol), [stigmasterol](/reference/stigmasterol/))
- Atricarpan B (pterocarpan - first report in genus)
- Phenolic acids
- [Alkaloids](/glossary/compounds-1-a/#alkaloids)
- [Hederagenin](/glossary/compounds-g-l/#hederagenin) [glycosides](/glossary/compounds-g-l/#glycosides)
- Oleanolic acid derivatives

## How does it work?

- Anti-inflammatory mechanism through dual COX-1/COX-2 inhibition (IC50 values of 26.51 and 13.02 microg/ml respectively), with selectivity favoring COX-2 inhibition
- Antithrombotic action through saponin-mediated disruption of thrombus formation and anticoagulant effects, enhanced by liposomal delivery systems
- [Antidiabetic](/reference/antidiabetic/) mechanism through DPP-4 enzyme inhibition, prolonging incretin hormone activity and improving [glucose](/glossary/compounds-d-g/#glucose)-dependent insulin secretion

## Which traditional uses are supported by research?

- Anti-inflammatory and [analgesic](/reference/analgesic/) properties validated through COX inhibition studies and in vivo models, confirming traditional use in pain and inflammatory conditions
- [Anticancer](/reference/anticancer/)/cytotoxic activity validated against multiple cancer cell lines, supporting its extensive folk use as an anticancer remedy (particularly in Pakistan and India)
- Antithrombotic properties experimentally confirmed, supporting traditional use in blood-related disorders

## What do recent clinical trials show?

- Badawy SA, Hassan AR, Shafaa MW and others 2025. [Liposomal formulation of Fagonia arabica L. enhances antithrombotic efficacy: phytochemical, pharmacological, and computational investigations](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41306891/). *RSC advances*. PMID [41306891](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41306891/) · [doi:10.1039/d5ra06347g](https://doi.org/10.1039/d5ra06347g)  
  Developed liposomal nanoparticles of saponin-rich extract, enhancing bioavailability and confirming thrombolytic and anticoagulant potential through in vitro and computational molecular docking studies.
- Mohamed EIA, Elwekeel AH, Mohamed DEA and others 2024. [Validating anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic properties of Fagonia cretica L. through metabolic, in vitro, and in silico profiling](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39609685/). *BMC complementary medicine and therapies*. PMID [39609685](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39609685/) · [doi:10.1186/s12906-024-04684-y](https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-024-04684-y)  
  Metabolic profiling by LC-HRMS identified 21 compounds (flavonoids, diterpenes, sterols, [triterpenes](/glossary/compounds-t-z/#triterpenes)); demonstrated COX-1/COX-2 inhibition and cytotoxic activity against MCF-7, HepG2, and CACO2 cell lines.

*1 further claim previously listed here could not be traced to a published paper and has been removed. An absence here means we could not identify the source, not that no work exists.*

## Recent safety updates

- Traditional use in Ayurvedic and Unani medicine across South Asia and Middle East suggests established safety profile at conventional doses; widely used as a folk remedy for cancer in Pakistan and India
- Saponin content may cause GI irritation at high doses; systematic toxicological evaluation is limited; liposomal formulation research suggests enhanced safety through targeted delivery

## Dosage forms and preparation

**Dosage Forms:** Churna (powder), Kashayam (decoction), Tablet, Capsule, Swarasa (fresh juice), Kwath Ghana (solid extract)

**Standard Dosage:** 3-6g powder twice daily; 50-100ml decoction twice daily; 500mg extract capsule twice daily; 10-20ml fresh juice

**Bioavailability:** Fagonia cretica (Dhamasa) contains saponins, flavonoids, and [terpenoids](/glossary/compounds-t-z/#terpenoids). Water-soluble flavonoid glycosides have moderate oral bioavailability (20-40%). Saponins undergo hydrolysis in the gut, releasing aglycones with higher membrane permeability. Traditional decoction preparation optimizes extraction of glycosidic actives. Enhancement: phytosome complexation of flavonoid-rich fraction improves oral bioavailability 2-3 fold.

**Optimal Timing:** Before meals with warm water for fever and blood purification; after meals for gastric conditions

**Standardized Extract:** Aqueous extract standardized to NLT 2% total flavonoids (as [quercetin](/reference/quercetinquercetin/) equivalent) by UV spectrophotometry. Extract ratio 8:1. HPTLC fingerprint with minimum 5 characteristic bands.

**Shelf Life:** 2 years (powder); 2.5 years (tablet/capsule); 3 years (spray-dried extract in sealed container)

**Storage:** Airtight containers below 25 deg C, protected from moisture and light. Flavonoid-rich extracts are photosensitive - use amber or opaque containers.

**Marker Compounds:** [Quercetin](/reference/quercetinquercetin/), [Kaempferol](/reference/kaempferol/), Isorhamnetin glycosides, Oleanolic acid, Ursolic acid, Hederagenin saponins

### Extraction Methods

- Aqueous decoction (traditional)
- Hydroalcoholic extraction (60:40 ethanol:water)
- Methanol extraction for research-grade phytochemical profiling
- Spray-dried aqueous extract for commercial applications

### Synergistic Combinations

- With [Giloy](/herb/guduchi/) (Tinospora) for immune-modulatory and [antipyretic](/reference/antipyretic/) synergy
- With Kutki (Picrorhiza) for [hepatoprotective](/reference/hepatoprotective/) combination
- With [Ashwagandha](/herb/ashwagandha/) for [adaptogenic](/reference/adaptogenic/) and hematopoietic support
- With [Punarnava](/herb/punarnava/) for anti-inflammatory and nephroprotective synergy

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

## 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.