Indravaruni
Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad.
Indravaruni (Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad.) is a plant drug, also called Endri, Gavaksi and Indravalli, from the Cucurbitaceae family. Not approved by US FDA for OTC use; recognized in Ayurvedic and Unani pharmacopoeias with mandatory purification (Shodhana) requirements; no WHO monograph endorsing safety.
| Botanical name | Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad. |
|---|---|
| Family | Cucurbitaceae · other entries in this family |
| Order | Cucurbitales |
| Pharmacopoeia status | Not approved by US FDA for OTC use; recognized in Ayurvedic and Unani pharmacopoeias with mandatory purification (Shodhana) requirements; no WHO monograph endorsing safety |
| Taxon identifiers | GBIF 2874622 · Wikidata Q913609 · NCBI Taxonomy 252529 |
| Sanskrit | Endri, गवाक्षी (gavākṣī), Indravalli, Indravarunika, Satakratulata |
|---|---|
| Hindi | इंद्रायन (iṃdrāyana), Indrayan |
| English | Bitter apple, Colocynth |
| Tamil | Aruthununatti, Paikamatti, Peitummatti, Peykhumutti, Peytumatti, Varithummati, பேய்த்தும்மட்டி |
| Malayalam | Cheeiyakattuvellari, Kadu Indrayan, Kattu vellari, Kattu Vellarikkai, Peykommuti, Valiya Pekkumatti, Valiyakattuvell |
| Telugu | Chedu Puchcha, Peikummatti |
| Kannada | Havumekke, Havumekke Kayi, Indravaruni, Kadukavadi, Tuntikai |
| Marathi | Endrayana, Indravarana, Kodu indrayan |
| Bengali | Makhal, Rahhalasa, Rakhal, Rakhal Sasa Mul |
| Gujarati | Indarvaranova, Indramanoa, Indravaran, Indrayan, Insbak |
| Urdu | Hanjal, Hanzal, Indrayan |
| Punjabi | Indrayana, Jamtumma, Kaudatumma, Tumbi, Tumma |
| Oriya | Garukhiya, Gothakakucti, Gothkakudi, Indrayanalata, Mahakal |
| Assamese | Gavadani, Kulekhara, Nantiyah |
Sources: Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (column alignment reconstructed); Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India, Part I Vol III, monograph 30 INDRAVĀRUṆĪ (fruit of Citrullus colocynthis Schrad.), Hindi: Indrayan; Gujarati: Indrayan; Punjabi: Indrayana. Flowers of India (Bitter Apple) gives Hindi 'बड़ी इन्द्रायन Badi Indrayan, इन्द्रायन Indarayan'.; Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India, Part I Vol III, monograph 30 INDRAVĀRUṆĪ (fruit of Citrullus colocynthis Schrad.), Tamil: Peitummatti (Telugu: Peikummatti); Flowers of India gives Tamil 'pey-komatti'. API gives the name only in romanisation; the பேய்- prefix is what distinguishes the colocynth from கொம்மட்டி (watermelon) in DSAL; Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India, Part I Vol III, monograph 30 INDRAVĀRUṆĪ, Sanskrit: Gavākṣī, Indravallī, Aendrī. How we source.
The evidence at a glance
12papers on this site for this drug, published 2014 to 2025, 11 with a DOI.
- 9Other clinical studies and reviews
- 3Laboratory and animal studies
A count is not a conclusion and a tier is a study design, not a verdict. Everything listed here is laboratory or animal work, which does not show an effect in people. Each paper is listed with what it measured on the page below. See the research index for how papers are tiered.
Names and identification
| Language | Name |
|---|---|
| English | Bitter apple, Colocynth |
| Latin/Botanical | Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad. |
Key Phytochemical Constituents
- Cucurbitacin E
- Cucurbitacin B
- Cucurbitacin I
- Colocynthoside A and B
- Colocynthin (glycoside)
- Quercetin
- Isovitexin
- Caffeic acid
How does it work?
- Antidiabetic: Cucurbitacins and flavonoids stimulate insulin secretion, enhance glucose uptake in peripheral tissues, and inhibit alpha-glucosidase
- Anticancer: Laboratory studies report that Cucurbitacin B and E inhibit STAT3 and JAK2/STAT3 signaling, induce G2/M cell cycle arrest, and activate caspase-mediated apoptosis
- Purgative: Colocynthin glycoside stimulates colonic motility through irritation of intestinal mucosa
Which traditional uses are supported by research?
These summaries come from the source notes, which do not name the studies behind them.
- Traditionally used for diabetes. Preclinical studies have reported alpha-glucosidase inhibition and improved insulin sensitivity.
- Used in classical practice as a purgative (Virechana), with strict dose control. The traditional Ayurvedic Shodhana (purification) process is described as reducing toxicity.
- Traditionally used for inflammation. Studies have reported cucurbitacin-mediated suppression of NF-kB and of pro-inflammatory cytokine production.
What do recent studies show?
- Cheng X, Qin M, Chen R and others 2023. Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad.: A Promising Pharmaceutical Resource for Multiple Diseases. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 37687049 · doi:10.3390/molecules28176221
Comprehensive review of biological activities particularly in antidiabetic, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, insecticidal, and antibacterial applications. - Li QY, Munawar M, Saeed M and others 2021. Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad (Bitter Apple Fruit): Promising Traditional Uses, Pharmacological Effects, Aspects, and Potential Applications. Frontiers in pharmacology. PMID 35145403 · doi:10.3389/fphar.2021.791049
Documented broad spectrum therapeutic properties; identified cucurbitacins as principal bioactive agents with significant anticancer mechanism through STAT3 and JAK inhibition. - Alemseged NM, Ibrahim MA, Sheikabdullahi MA 2025. Colocynth induced multiorgan toxicity: a case report. Journal of medical case reports. PMID 41088384 · doi:10.1186/s13256-025-05542-2
Case report documenting multiorgan dysfunction (hepatorenal, gastrointestinal) from high-dose colocynth ingestion, emphasizing need for dose-controlled use.
Recent safety updates
- UNSAFE when taken by mouth in uncontrolled doses; cucurbitacins cause severe GI irritation, bloody diarrhea, kidney damage; banned by US FDA in 1991 for OTC laxative use
- High doses can cause multiorgan toxicity (hepatorenal failure, electrolyte disturbance, hypoglycemia); must only be used in processed Ayurvedic preparations (Shodhita) under strict practitioner supervision
Dosage forms and preparation
Dosage Forms: Churna (powder), Capsule, Kashayam (decoction), Taila (oil for external application)
Standard Dosage: 125-500 mg fruit powder (Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India, Part I, Vol. III; use with caution due to purgative action); 250-500mg extract; external oil as directed
Optimal Timing: Under physician supervision only; typically at bedtime for purgative action; externally as needed for joint pain
Storage: Cool, dry place below 25°C. Keep away from children. Clearly labeled as toxic substance requiring professional guidance.
Marker Compounds: Cucurbitacin B, Cucurbitacin E, Colocynthin, Colocynthetin, Citrullol
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 reviews9
- 2025. Colocynth induced multiorgan toxicity: a case reportJournal of medical case reports. PMID 41088384 · doi:10.1186/s13256-025-05542-2
- 2024. Advances in Gouty Arthritis Management: Integration of Established Therapies, Emerging Treatments, and Lifestyle InterventionsInternational journal of molecular sciences. PMID 39409183 · doi:10.3390/ijms251910853
- 2023. Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad.: A Promising Pharmaceutical Resource for Multiple DiseasesMolecules (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 37687049 · doi:10.3390/molecules28176221
- 2022. Effect of Citrullus colocynthis on glycemic factors and lipid profile in type II diabetic patients: a systematic review and meta-analysisJournal of diabetes and metabolic disorders. PMID 36404820 · doi:10.1007/s40200-022-01045-9
- 2021. Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad (Bitter Apple Fruit): Promising Traditional Uses, Pharmacological Effects, Aspects, and Potential ApplicationsFrontiers in pharmacology. PMID 35145403 · doi:10.3389/fphar.2021.791049
- 2020. The Anticancer Efficiency of Citrullus colocynthis Toward the Colorectal Cancer TherapyJournal of gastrointestinal cancer. PMID 31463888 · doi:10.1007/s12029-019-00299-6
- 2019. Topical treatments for diabetic neuropathic painExperimental and therapeutic medicine. PMID 30783472 · doi:10.3892/etm.2019.7173
- 2014. Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad (bitter apple fruit): a review of its phytochemistry, pharmacology, traditional uses and nutritional potentialJournal of ethnopharmacology. PMID 24936768 · doi:10.1016/j.jep.2014.06.011
- 2014. A review on antidiabetic activity of Citrullus colocynthis SchradActa poloniae pharmaceutica. PMID 25265814
Laboratory and animal studies3
- 2024. Simple two-step purification and characterisation of peroxidase from Citrullus colocynthisNatural product research. PMID 37621192 · doi:10.1080/14786419.2023.2248644
- 2024. Antiproliferative and immunomodulative potential of Citrullus colocynthis and its bioactive compounds in human lymphocytes and lung cellsJournal of ethnopharmacology. PMID 38499257 · doi:10.1016/j.jep.2024.118053
- 2023. Anticancer activity, phytochemical investigation and molecular docking insights of Citrullus colocynthis (L.) fruitsScientific reports. PMID 37973959 · doi:10.1038/s41598-023-46867-6
Reviewed by Dr. Awadesh Pratap Singh, BAMS, on 11 October 2026. What that review covered.
Consult a qualified vaidya before acting on anything here. Ayurvedic practice is prescribed to a person, not to a condition: the same dravya is given, withheld or substituted depending on your constitution, your agni, the season and what else you are already taking. A page cannot know any of that. Self-prescribing from a reference is how the wrong preparation, the wrong dose or the wrong anupana gets used.
Educational reference only. Nothing on this page is medical advice, a diagnosis, or a recommendation to take anything. Traditional uses and research findings are reported as published, not as claims about what any product does. If you take prescribed medication, raise any interaction with the prescriber rather than acting on a page. See our editorial standards.