Age Ayurveda Nighantu

Jyotishmati

Celastrus paniculatus

Jyotishmati (Celastrus paniculatus) is a plant used in Ayurveda. Total PubMed publications found: 75 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.

Key facts
Botanical nameCelastrus paniculatus
FamilyCelastraceae
OrderCelastrales
Taxon identifiersGBIF 7265565 · Wikidata Q1027724 · NCBI Taxonomy 994668

Names and identification

LanguageName
EnglishJyotishmati

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

OBJECTIVES: METHODS: All available information concerning RESULTS: CONCLUSIONS: Several …

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?

Key Active Markers

  • Derived from constituent herbs (see individual herb profiles)
  • Standardized on primary bioactive markers

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

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

Bioavailability: Celastrus paniculatus seed oil contains sesquiterpenes, polyester alkaloids (celapanin, celastrine), and fatty acids. Seed oil fatty acids are well absorbed. Sesquiterpene and alkaloid components show good lipophilic absorption. Nasya (nasal) administration provides direct CNS access for nootropic effects, bypassing hepatic first-pass metabolism. Oil form has inherently good bioavailability for lipophilic actives.

Optimal Timing: Morning on empty stomach with warm water/milk for cognitive effects; Nasya in early morning; gradual dose escalation over 2-3 weeks

Standardized Extract: Cold-pressed seed oil (primary product); oil standardized to fatty acid profile and total alkaloid content (>0.5%); CO2 extract for enriched alkaloid fraction

Shelf Life: 1 year (cold-pressed oil without antioxidants); 2 years (oil with antioxidant, sealed); 2 years (capsule/soft gel); 2 years (seed powder)

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

Extraction Methods

  • Cold pressing of seeds (oil extraction, 40-50% oil content)
  • Supercritical CO2 extraction for alkaloid-enriched oil
  • Hydroalcoholic extraction of seed cake (70:30)
  • Traditional oil processing (Murchhita Taila - oil processing with prescribed herbs)

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.

Systematic reviews and meta-analyses1

  1. Kumar N, Jaitak V. 2026. Celastrus paniculatus Willd.: An Extensive Review of Phytochemistry, Traditional Uses, Pharmacological Potential, and Safety ProfilePhytotherapy research : PTR. PMID 41920476 · doi:10.1002/ptr.70325

Other clinical studies and reviews4

  1. Aleem M. 2023. Phytochemistry and pharmacology of Celastrus paniculatus Wild.: a nootropic drugJournal of complementary & integrative medicine. PMID 34529902 · doi:10.1515/jcim-2021-0251
  2. Sankaramourthy D, Sankaranarayanan L, Subramanian K and others. 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
  3. Nagpal K, Garg M, Arora D and others. 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
  4. Shen Y, Chen BL, Zhang QX and others. 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 studies7

  1. Ralta A, Prakash A, Kumar M P and others. 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
  2. Faldu KG, Patel SS, Shah JS. 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
  3. Palle S, Kanakalatha A, Kavitha CN. 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
  4. Valecha R, Dhingra D. 2016. Behavioral and Biochemical Evidences for Antidepressant-Like Activity of Celastrus Paniculatus Seed Oil in MiceBasic and clinical neuroscience. PMID 27303599
  5. Kulkarni YA, Agarwal S, Garud MS. 2015. Effect of Jyotishmati (Celastrus paniculatus) seeds in animal models of pain and inflammationJournal of Ayurveda and integrative medicine. PMID 26166997 · doi:10.4103/0975-9476.146540
  6. Kumar KH, Venuprasad MP, Jayashree GV and others. 2015. Celastrus paniculatus Willd. mitigates t-BHP induced oxidative and apoptotic damage in C2C12 murine muscle cellsCytotechnology. PMID 25118832 · doi:10.1007/s10616-014-9733-0
  7. Debnath M, Biswas M, Shukla VJ and others. 2014. Phytochemical and analytical evaluation of Jyotishmati (Celastrus paniculatus Willd.) leaf extractsAyu. PMID 25364201 · doi:10.4103/0974-8520.141929

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