Jyotishmati
Celastrus paniculatus
Jyotishmati (Celastrus paniculatus) is a plant drug, also called Malakamgani.
| Botanical name | Celastrus paniculatus |
|---|---|
| Family | Celastraceae |
| Order | Celastrales |
| Taxon identifiers | GBIF 7265565 · Wikidata Q1027724 · NCBI Taxonomy 994668 |
| Hindi | मालकांगनी (mālakāṃganī) |
|---|---|
| Tamil | வாலுழுவை |
Sources: wisdomlib per-species entry for Jyotishmati (ज्योतिष्मती), identified with Celastrus paniculatus Willd. (Celastraceae): 'Hindi: Mal-kangni (माल-कांगनी)', with the vernacular list giving Hindi and Bengali Mālkaṅganī.; wisdomlib per-species entry for Jyotishmati / Celastrus paniculatus: 'Tamil: Valuluvai', also given as Vallulavai.. How we source.
The evidence at a glance
12papers on this site for this drug, published 2001 to 2023, 10 with a DOI.
- 4Other clinical studies and reviews
- 8Laboratory 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 | Jyotishmati |
Modern Research (Meta-Analysis)
Total PubMed publications found: 75
Key Research Papers
1. Effect of Jyotishmati (Celastrus paniculatus) seeds in animal models of pain and inflammation.
Authors: Kulkarni Yogesh A, Agarwal Sneha, Garud Mayuresh S Journal: Journal of Ayurveda and integrative medicine (2015) PMID: 26166997
Jyotishmati, scientifically known as Celastrus paniculatus Wild (Celastraceae) is one of the most important medicinal plants in Ayurveda. The plant has shown significant pharmacological activities like anti-arthritic, wound healing, hypolipidemic, and antioxidant…
Keywords: Acetic acid, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, carrageenan, hot plate, tail immersion
2. Phytochemistry and pharmacology of
Authors: Aleem Mohd Journal: Journal of complementary & integrative medicine (2023) PMID: 34529902
Keywords: Celastrus paniculatus, malkangni, neuroprotective, nootropic, traditional uses, β-dihydroagarofuranoids sesquiterpenes
3. Application of Green Technologies in Design-Based Extraction of
Authors: Arya Ashwani, Kaushik Deepak, Almeer Rafa et al. Journal: Frontiers in nutrition (2022) PMID: 35662919
The …
Keywords: Box-Behnken design, Celastrus paniculatus, anti-cholinesterase, antioxidant, gas chromatography, green approach, response surface methodology, scanning electron microscopy
4. Neuroprotective potential of
Authors: Sankaramourthy Divya, Sankaranarayanan Lakshmi, Subramanian Kavimani et al. Journal: Journal of complementary & integrative medicine (2023) PMID: 35005853
The most common human neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), Huntington’s disease (HD) etc. have been recognized to result from a complex interplay between genetic predisposition and defective cellular dynamics such as inappropriate accumulation of unfolded proteins, oxygen free radicals and mitochondrial dysfunction. The treatment strategies available today for these neurodegenerative ailments are only palliative and are incapable of restraining the progression of the disease. Hence, there is an immense requirement for identification of drug candidates with the ability to alleviate neuronal damage along with controlling progression of the disease. From time immemorial mankind has been relying on plants for treating varied types of dreadful dise…
Keywords: Celastrus paniculatus, antioxidants, cognitive dysfunction, neurobehavioral, neuroprotective
5. Phytochemical and analytical evaluation of Jyotishmati (Celastrus paniculatus Willd.) leaf extracts.
Authors: Debnath Monojit, Biswas Moulisha, Shukla Vinay J et al. Journal: Ayu (2014) PMID: 25364201
Jyotishmati (Celastrus paniculatus Willd.) is a woody climber belongs to the family Celastraceae; a well known herbal nootropic, distributed through the tropical and subtropical regions of India. Its leaves are used in eye disease and headache. Very low qualitative and quantitative information about leaves have been documented to establish its quality and purity…
Keywords: Celastrus paniculatus, Jyotishmati leaf, high-performance thin layer chromatography, phytochemistry
6. An extensive review on phytochemistry and pharmacological activities of Indian medicinal plant Celastrus paniculatus Willd.
Authors: Nagpal Kajal, Garg Madhukar, Arora Deepshi et al. Journal: Phytotherapy research : PTR (2022) PMID: 35199395
Celastrus paniculatus is a traditional herb belonging to the family Celastraceae and is widely used for a number of medicinal activities in the Indian Unani and Ayurvedic systems. In this study, the extensive literature search was carried out on phytochemistry, ethnobotanical uses and pharmacological activities of C. paniculatus (Willd.) in various scientific databases as well as patents. Research on phytochemical investigation has shown the presence of monoterpenes (linalool, α-terpinyl acetate, nerol acetate), sesqueterpene esters (such as malkanguniol, malkangunin, valerenal, globulol, viridiflorol, cubenol and agarofuran derivatives), diterpenoids (such as phytone, isophytol), triterpenoids (such as lupeol, pristimerin, paniculatadiol, zeylasteral, zeylasterone, β-amyrin, squalene), al…
Keywords: Celastraceae, Celastrus paniculatus, Jyotishmati, Malkangni, pharmacological activities, phytochemistry
7. Neuroprotective Effect of
Authors: Ralta Arti, Prakash Ajay, Kumar M Praveen et al. Journal: Basic and clinical neuroscience (2023) PMID: 37346867
Cognitive deficit is one of the common comorbidity accompanying epilepsy. The present study evaluated the effect of …
Keywords: C. paniculatus, Hippocampus, Kindling, Oxidative stress, Pentylenetetrazole
8. Neuroprotective capacity of Celastrus paniculatus on rotenone-induced parkinsonism in zebrafish model.
Authors: Manoharan Nivedita, Jayamurali Dheepthi, Sridhar Anitha et al. Journal: Molecular biology reports (2025) PMID: 40024951
Parkinson’s disease, a neurodegenerative disorder, affects millions globally, with age, genetics, and environmental conditions increasing risk. Global burden could reach 12 million by 2050. To observe the effect of Celastrus paniculatus in rotenone-induced Parkinsonism in zebrafish model…
Keywords: Celastrus paniculatus, Parkinson’s disease, Rotenone
What is it made of?
The marker compounds are listed under Dosage forms and preparation, below.
Dosage forms and preparation
Dosage Forms: Taila (seed oil), Capsule, Tablet, Churna (seed powder), Matra Basti (oil enema), Nasya (nasal oil)
Standard Dosage: 5-15 drops seed oil twice daily; 500mg-1g seed powder; 250-500mg extract; 2-4 drops Nasya oil per nostril
Optimal Timing: Morning on empty stomach with warm water/milk for cognitive effects; Nasya in early morning; gradual dose escalation over 2-3 weeks
Storage: Oil: amber glass bottles, nitrogen-flushed, below 25°C, protected from light. Seed powder: airtight containers, cool and dry. Refrigeration extends oil shelf life.
Marker Compounds: Celapanin, Celastrine, Malkanginnol, Pristimerin, Zeylasterone, Oleic acid, Linoleic acid, Palmitic acid
Synergistic Combinations
- With Brahmi for cognitive enhancement and memory
- With Shankhpushpi for mental clarity
- With Jatamansi for anxiolytic and nootropic synergy
- With Vacha, traditionally combined for speech and memory support
- With Ashwagandha, traditionally combined to support nervous system function
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 reviews4
- 2023. Phytochemistry and pharmacology of Celastrus paniculatus Wild.: a nootropic drugJournal of complementary & integrative medicine. PMID 34529902 · doi:10.1515/jcim-2021-0251
- 2023. Neuroprotective potential of Celastrus paniculatus seeds against common neurological ailments: a narrative reviewJournal of complementary & integrative medicine. PMID 35005853 · doi:10.1515/jcim-2021-0448
- 2022. An extensive review on phytochemistry and pharmacological activities of Indian medicinal plant Celastrus paniculatus WilldPhytotherapy research : PTR. PMID 35199395 · doi:10.1002/ptr.7424
- 2019. Traditional uses, secondary metabolites, and pharmacology of Celastrus species - a reviewJournal of ethnopharmacology. PMID 31129308 · doi:10.1016/j.jep.2019.111934
Laboratory and animal studies8
- 2023. Neuroprotective Effect of Celastrus Paniculatus Seed Extract on Epilepsy and Epilepsy-associated Cognitive DeficitsBasic and clinical neuroscience. PMID 37346867 · doi:10.32598/bcn.2021.3154.1
- 2023. Celastrus paniculatus oil ameliorates NF-KB mediated neuroinflammation and synaptic plasticity in the scopolamine-induced cognitive impairment rat modelMetabolic brain disease. PMID 36809523 · doi:10.1007/s11011-023-01186-7
- 2018. Gastroprotective and Antiulcer Effects of Celastrus paniculatus Seed Oil Against Several Gastric Ulcer Models in RatsJournal of dietary supplements. PMID 28816560 · doi:10.1080/19390211.2017.1349231
- 2016. Behavioral and Biochemical Evidences for Antidepressant-Like Activity of Celastrus Paniculatus Seed Oil in MiceBasic and clinical neuroscience. PMID 27303599
- 2016. Neuroprotective effect of Celastrus paniculatus on chronic stress-induced cognitive impairmentIndian journal of pharmacology. PMID 28066108 · doi:10.4103/0253-7613.194853
- 2014. Phytochemical and analytical evaluation of Jyotishmati (Celastrus paniculatus Willd.) leaf extractsAyu. PMID 25364201 · doi:10.4103/0974-8520.141929
- 2006. Celastrus paniculatus seed oil and organic extracts attenuate hydrogen peroxide- and glutamate-induced injury in embryonic rat forebrain neuronal cellsPhytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology. PMID 16360930 · doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2003.11.011
- 2001. Rapid in vitro multiplication and restoration of Celastrus paniculatus Willd. sub sp. paniculatus (Celastraceae), a medicinal woody climberIndian journal of experimental biology. PMID 12019765
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.