Kadamba
Neolamarckia cadamba (Roxb.) Bosser
Kadamba (Neolamarckia cadamba (Roxb.) Bosser) is a plant used in Ayurveda, from the Rubiaceae family. Listed in the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India for treatment of wounds, conjunctivitis, mouth ulcers, diarrhea and urinary tract diseases.
| Botanical name | Neolamarckia cadamba (Roxb.) Bosser |
|---|---|
| Family | Rubiaceae · other entries in this family |
| Order | Gentianales |
| Pharmacopoeia status | Listed in the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India for treatment of wounds, conjunctivitis, mouth ulcers, diarrhea and urinary tract diseases. No specific WHO monograph as of 2025. |
| Taxon identifiers | GBIF 2896888 · Wikidata Q573791 · NCBI Taxonomy 153762 |
Names and identification
| Language | Name |
|---|---|
| English | Kadamba |
| Latin/Botanical | Neolamarckia cadamba (Roxb.) Bosser |
Key Phytochemical Constituents
- Cadambine (indole alkaloid)
- Dihydrocadambine
- Isodihydrocadambine
- Isocadambine
- Quinovic acid glycosides
- Chlorogenic acid
- 3-alpha-Dihydrocadambine
- Beta-sitosterol
- Ursolic acid
- Cadamine
- Saponins (triterpene type)
How does it work?
- Anti-inflammatory action via inhibition of NF-kB pathway and suppression of pro-inflammatory cytokines by cadambine alkaloids
- Antidiabetic activity through alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase inhibition by chlorogenic acid and alkaloid fractions
- Antimalarial activity via disruption of plasmodium cell membrane integrity by quinovic acid glycosides
- Hepatoprotective effects through free radical scavenging and restoration of hepatic antioxidant enzymes (SOD, catalase, GPx)
Which traditional uses are supported by research?
- Antimicrobial activity against wound-infecting pathogens validated through disc diffusion and MIC studies
- Anti-diarrheal use confirmed in castor oil-induced diarrhea models with significant reduction in stool frequency
- Antipyretic activity validated in Brewer’s yeast-induced pyrexia model in rats
- Anti-inflammatory use confirmed through carrageenan-induced paw edema inhibition studies
What do recent clinical trials show?
3 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
- Traditional use profile indicates safety at recommended Ayurvedic doses; formal toxicity studies are limited and standardized safety data is still being developed
- Standardized extracts, mechanistic validation, and clinical trials are recommended before therapeutic translation; no significant adverse effects reported in available preclinical studies
What is it made of?
Key Active Markers
- Glycosides
- Sitosterol
- Saponins
- Cadambine
- Dihydrocadambine
- Isodihydrocadambine
- Isocadambine
- Quinovic acid
- Chlorogenic acid
- 3-alpha-Dihydrocadambine
- Beta-
- Ursolic acid
- Cadamine
Analytical Methods: HPLC fingerprinting, TLC (identity), LC-MS/MS (marker quantification)
Dosage forms and preparation
Dosage Forms: Churna (bark powder), Kashayam (bark decoction), Capsule, Taila (medicated oil), Lepa (paste)
Standard Dosage: 3-6g bark powder twice daily; 50-100ml decoction; external paste as needed
Bioavailability: Neolamarckia cadamba (syn. Anthocephalus cadamba) bark contains indole alkaloids (cadambine, isocadambine), triterpenes, and flavonoids. Indole alkaloids generally show moderate to good oral bioavailability due to lipophilicity. Cadambine is absorbed in the small intestine. Tannin fraction may reduce absorption of co-administered compounds.
Optimal Timing: Before meals with warm water for fever and diabetes; external paste for wounds morning and evening
Standardized Extract: Hydroalcoholic bark extract standardized to 1% total alkaloids (as cadambine); aqueous extract per API decoction method
Shelf Life: 2 years (bark powder); 3 years (standardized extract capsule/tablet)
Storage: Cool, dry place below 25°C, protected from moisture and light. Airtight containers.
Marker Compounds: Cadambine, Isocadambine, 3-alpha-Dihydrocadambine, Cadamine, Beta-sitosterol, Chlorogenic acid
Extraction Methods
- Aqueous decoction (traditional)
- Hydroalcoholic extraction (70:30 ethanol:water) for alkaloid and flavonoid extraction
- Methanol extraction for comprehensive phytochemical recovery
- Chloroform extraction for alkaloid enrichment
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 reviews2
- 2020. Anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of Neolamarckia cadamba and its bioactive monoterpenoid indole alkaloidsJournal of ethnopharmacology. PMID 32569718 · doi:10.1016/j.jep.2020.113103
- 2016. Traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacological properties of Neolamarckia cadamba: A reviewJournal of ethnopharmacology. PMID 26821190 · doi:10.1016/j.jep.2016.01.036
Laboratory and animal studies10
- 2023. Physiological and transcriptomic responses to magnesium deficiency in Neolamarckia CadambaPlant physiology and biochemistry : PPB. PMID 36963300 · doi:10.1016/j.plaphy.2023.107645
- 2023. Neolamarckia cadamba (Roxb.) Bosser (Rubiaceae) extracts: promising prospects for anticancer and antibacterial potential through in vitro and in silico studiesMedical oncology (Northwood, London, England). PMID 36808013 · doi:10.1007/s12032-023-01971-5
- 2022. Physiological and Transcriptomic Responses of Growth in Neolamarckia cadamba Stimulated by Exogenous GibberellinsInternational journal of molecular sciences. PMID 36233144 · doi:10.3390/ijms231911842
- 2022. Chromosome-level assembly of the Neolamarckia cadamba genome provides insights into the evolution of cadambine biosynthesisThe Plant journal : for cell and molecular biology. PMID 34807496 · doi:10.1111/tpj.15600
- 2022. Potassium deficiency inhibits leaf growth and promotes leaf necrotic spots in Neolamarckia cadamba (Roxb.) BosserTree physiology. PMID 34940885 · doi:10.1093/treephys/tpab172
- 2021. A complete sequence of mitochondrial genome of Neolamarckia cadamba and its use for systematic analysisScientific reports. PMID 34728739 · doi:10.1038/s41598-021-01040-9
- 2021. In vitro induction and identification of polyploid Neolamarckia cadamba plants by colchicine treatmentPeerJ. PMID 34760387 · doi:10.7717/peerj.12399
- 2021. Physiological and Transcriptomic Responses to Nitrogen Deficiency in Neolamarckia cadambaFrontiers in plant science. PMID 34887886 · doi:10.3389/fpls.2021.747121
- 2019. Cloning and characterization of the lignin biosynthesis genes NcCSE and NcHCT from Neolamarckia cadambaAMB Express. PMID 31542835 · doi:10.1186/s13568-019-0860-z
- 2014. Biochemical and molecular changes associated with heteroxylan biosynthesis in Neolamarckia cadamba (Rubiaceae) during xylogenesisFrontiers in plant science. PMID 25426124 · doi:10.3389/fpls.2014.00602
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