Age Ayurveda Nighantu

Gajapippali

Scindapsus officinalis (Roxb.) Schott

Gajapippali (Scindapsus officinalis (Roxb.) Schott) is a plant used in Ayurveda, from the Araceae family. Respiratory disease treatment (Kasa-Shwasa) partially validated by expectorant activity of saponin-rich extracts Antipyretic use supported by traditional clinical evidence and preliminary pharmacological data Galactagogue use (breast milk improvement) remains to be validated through modern clinical studies

Key facts
Botanical nameScindapsus officinalis (Roxb.) Schott
FamilyAraceae
OrderAlismatales
Pharmacopoeia statusListed in Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India; significant research gaps noted; no WHO monograph available; needs comprehensive pharmacological evaluation
Taxon identifiersGBIF 2873716 · Wikidata Q9334552 · NCBI Taxonomy 2840175

Names and identification

LanguageName
EnglishGajapippali
Latin/BotanicalScindapsus officinalis (Roxb.) Schott

Key Phytochemical Constituents

  • Scindapsin A (glycoside)
  • Scindapsin B (glycoside)
  • Scindapsinidine A (aglycon)
  • Scindapsinidine B (aglycon)
  • Rhamnose
  • Flavonoids
  • Phenolic compounds
  • Saponins

How does it work?

  • Antioxidant: Flavonoids and phenolic compounds scavenge free radicals and enhance endogenous antioxidant enzymes (SOD, catalase) while reducing lipid peroxidation
  • Anticancer: Cytotoxic glycosides (scindapsin A, B) induce apoptosis in cancer cell lines; mechanism involves oxidative stress modulation
  • Expectorant: Saponin content reduces surface tension of bronchial secretions, facilitating mucus clearance from airways

Which traditional uses are supported by research?

  • Respiratory disease treatment (Kasa-Shwasa) partially validated by expectorant activity of saponin-rich extracts
  • Antipyretic use supported by traditional clinical evidence and preliminary pharmacological data
  • Galactagogue use (breast milk improvement) remains to be validated through modern clinical studies

What do recent clinical trials show?

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

  • Limited modern toxicological data available; traditional use at recommended Ayurvedic doses appears safe based on centuries of clinical practice
  • Chemistry of the plant needs further exploration; standardization and quality control markers are lacking, increasing risk of adulteration

What is it made of?

Key Active Markers

  • Flavonoids
  • Saponins
  • Scindapsin A
  • Scindapsin B
  • Scindapsinidine A
  • Scindapsinidine B
  • Rhamnose
  • Phenolic compounds

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

Dosage forms and preparation

Dosage Forms: Churna (powder), Kashayam (decoction), Tablet, Capsule, Avaleha (confection)

Standard Dosage: 1-3g powder twice daily; 50ml decoction twice daily; 500mg extract capsule twice daily

Bioavailability: Scindapsus officinalis (Gajapippali) fruit contains piperine-like amides and terpenoids. The alkaloid amides have moderate oral bioavailability enhanced by the pungent principles that stimulate GI blood flow and inhibit drug-metabolizing enzymes (similar to Pippali mechanism). The traditional use with warm water or honey as Anupana supports GI absorption. Enhancement: piperine-like constituents may self-enhance bioavailability through CYP3A4 and P-gp inhibition.

Optimal Timing: Before meals with warm water or honey for respiratory conditions; after meals for digestive support

Standardized Extract: Hydroalcoholic extract characterized by HPTLC fingerprint and total alkaloid content NLT 1%. Extract ratio 5:1. Limited standardized extract availability - develop in-house specifications.

Shelf Life: 2 years (powder); 2.5 years (tablet/capsule)

Storage: Airtight containers below 25 deg C, protected from moisture and light. Limited stability data - conduct accelerated stability studies for new formulations.

Marker Compounds: Piperine analogs (amide alkaloids), Beta-sitosterol, Terpenoids, Total alkaloid content

Extraction Methods

  • Aqueous decoction
  • Hydroalcoholic extraction (60:40 ethanol:water)
  • Soxhlet extraction with ethanol for alkaloid enrichment
  • Traditional Churna preparation after proper drying

Synergistic Combinations

  • With Pippali for enhanced respiratory and digestive action
  • With Sunthi and Maricha in Katu (pungent) formulations
  • With Vasa (Adhatoda) for bronchial and respiratory conditions
  • With Kantakari for cough management

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 studies8

  1. Zhao L, Wang Y, Wang Z and others. 2024. Secondary metabolites from Scindapsus officinalis (Roxb.) Schott. with in vitro antidiabetic activitiesFitoterapia. PMID 38224899 · doi:10.1016/j.fitote.2024.105822
  2. Yu J, Sun X, Zhao L and others. 2020. An efficient method to obtain anti-inflammatory phenolic derivatives from Scindapsus officinalis (Roxb.) Schott. by a high speed counter-current chromatography coupled with a recycling modeRSC advances. PMID 35495326 · doi:10.1039/c9ra09453a
  3. Yu J, Sun X, Mu Y and others. 2019. Phenolic cyclobutantetraol esters from Scindapsus officinalis (Roxb.) SchottFitoterapia. PMID 31220578 · doi:10.1016/j.fitote.2019.104244
  4. Dong H, Geng Y, Wang X and others. 2018. Chemical Constituents from Scindapsus officinalis (Roxb.) Schott. and Their Anti⁻Inflammatory ActivitiesMolecules (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 30304808 · doi:10.3390/molecules23102577
  5. Yu J, Song X, Yang P and others. 2018. Alkaloids from Scindapsus officinalis (Roxb.) Schott. and their biological activitiesFitoterapia. PMID 29894739 · doi:10.1016/j.fitote.2018.06.006
  6. Yu J, Song X, Wang D and others. 2017. Five new chromone glycosides from Scindapsus officinalis (Roxb.) SchottFitoterapia. PMID 28882671 · doi:10.1016/j.fitote.2017.09.002
  7. Shivhare SC, Patidar AO, Malviya KG and others. 2011. Antioxidant and anticancer evaluation of Scindapsus officinalis (Roxb.) Schott fruitsAyu. PMID 22529657 · doi:10.4103/0974-8520.93921
  8. Kannan R, Babu UV. 2011. Pharmacognostical Studies on Balanophora fungosa - a Negative Listed PlantAncient science of life. PMID 22736886

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