Indravaruni

Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad.

Indravaruni (Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad.) is a plant used in Ayurveda, 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.

Key facts
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

Names and identification

Language	Name
English	Indravaruni
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: 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?

Antidiabetic use validated through multiple preclinical studies showing alpha-glucosidase inhibition and improved insulin sensitivity
Purgative use (Virechana) validated but requires strict dose control; traditional Ayurvedic Shodhana (purification) process reduces toxicity
Anti-inflammatory use confirmed by cucurbitacin-mediated suppression of NF-kB and pro-inflammatory cytokine production

What do recent clinical trials 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: 1-3g fruit powder (use with caution due to purgative action); 250-500mg extract; external oil as directed

Bioavailability: Citrullus colocynthis contains cucurbitacins (potent cytotoxic triterpenoids) with good oral absorption due to lipophilicity. Colocynthin glycoside is hydrolyzed in GI tract to active aglycone. Narrow therapeutic index; precise dosing is critical. Bioavailability enhancement is not typically sought given potency and toxicity concerns.

Optimal Timing: Under physician supervision only; typically at bedtime for purgative action; externally as needed for joint pain

Standardized Extract: Shodhita (purified) aqueous extract; cucurbitacin B/E standardized extract for research purposes only (not for general supplementation)

Shelf Life: 2 years (Shodhita powder); 3 years (purified extract capsule)

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

Extraction Methods

Aqueous decoction (traditional, milder)
Hydroalcoholic extraction (50:50) for cucurbitacin-enriched fraction
Petroleum ether extraction for lipophilic compounds
Shodhana (detoxification) processing mandatory before internal use

Synergistic Combinations

With Eranda (castor oil) for purgative formulations
With Haridra to modulate inflammation
With Triphala for regulated bowel cleansing

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 reviews8

Alemseged NM, Ibrahim MA, Sheikabdullahi MA. 2025. Colocynth induced multiorgan toxicity: a case reportJournal of medical case reports. PMID 41088384 · doi:10.1186/s13256-025-05542-2
Yao TK, Lee RP, Wu WT and others. 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
Cheng X, Qin M, Chen R and others. 2023. Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad.: A Promising Pharmaceutical Resource for Multiple DiseasesMolecules (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 37687049 · doi:10.3390/molecules28176221
Li QY, Munawar M, Saeed M and others. 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
Abdulridha MK, Al-Marzoqi AH, Ghasemian A. 2020. The Anticancer Efficiency of Citrullus colocynthis Toward the Colorectal Cancer TherapyJournal of gastrointestinal cancer. PMID 31463888 · doi:10.1007/s12029-019-00299-6
Yang XD, Fang PF, Xiang DX and others. 2019. Topical treatments for diabetic neuropathic painExperimental and therapeutic medicine. PMID 30783472 · doi:10.3892/etm.2019.7173
Abu-Darwish MS, Efferth T. 2018. Medicinal Plants from Near East for Cancer TherapyFrontiers in pharmacology. PMID 29445343 · doi:10.3389/fphar.2018.00056
Shi C, Karim S, Wang C and others. 2014. A review on antidiabetic activity of Citrullus colocynthis SchradActa poloniae pharmaceutica. PMID 25265814

Laboratory and animal studies4

Al-Shuaibi BK, Kazerooni EA, Hussain S and others. 2023. Plant-Disease-Suppressive and Growth-Promoting Activities of Endophytic and Rhizobacterial Isolates Associated with Citrullus colocynthisPathogens (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 38003740 · doi:10.3390/pathogens12111275
Ali AR, Bahrami Y, Kakaei E and others. 2022. Isolation and identification of endophytic actinobacteria from Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad and their antibacterial propertiesMicrobial cell factories. PMID 36217205 · doi:10.1186/s12934-022-01936-9
Pashmforosh M, Rajabi Vardanjani H, Rajabi Vardanjani H and others. 2018. Topical Anti-Inflammatory and Analgesic Activities of Citrullus colocynthis Extract Cream in RatsMedicina (Kaunas, Lithuania). PMID 30344282 · doi:10.3390/medicina54040051
Shaikh J, Shaikh D, Rahman AB and others. 2016. Antimicrobial and toxicological studies on fruit pulp of Citrullus colocynthis LPakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences. PMID 26826821

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

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