Kampillaka
Mallotus philippensis (Lam.) Mull. Arg.
Kampillaka (Mallotus philippensis (Lam.) Mull. Arg.) is a plant drug, from the Euphorbiaceae family. Included in Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India; listed in Indian Pharmacopoeia; WHO recognizes its traditional anthelmintic use in South-East Asian medicine systems.
| Botanical name | Mallotus philippensis (Lam.) Mull. Arg. |
|---|---|
| Family | Euphorbiaceae · other entries in this family |
| Order | Malpighiales |
| Pharmacopoeia status | Included in Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India; listed in Indian Pharmacopoeia; WHO recognizes its traditional anthelmintic use in South-East Asian medicine systems |
| Taxon identifiers | GBIF 5378605 · Wikidata Q2510557 · NCBI Taxonomy 316645 |
The evidence at a glance
12papers on this site for this drug, published 2013 to 2026, every one with a DOI.
- 12Laboratory 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.true See the research index for how papers are tiered.
Names and identification
| Language | Name |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit | Kampillaka |
| Latin/Botanical | Mallotus philippensis (Lam.) Mull. Arg. |
Key Phytochemical Constituents
- Rottlerin (kamala red)
- Isorottlerin
- Bergenin
- Mallotophilippinens
- Mallotucin D (cardenolide)
- Friedelin (triterpene)
- Beta-sitosterol
- Kamaladiol
How does it work?
- Anti-inflammatory: Rottlerin inhibits both COX-1 and COX-2 more potently than ibuprofen and etoricoxib; also inhibits protein kinase C-delta (PKC-delta)
- Anticancer: Rottlerin induces apoptosis through inhibition of PKC-delta, NF-kB suppression, and activation of caspase-3/caspase-9 cascade
- Anthelmintic: Kamala (pericarp powder) contains rottlerin and isorottlerin which damage tegumental membrane of cestodes, causing paralysis and death
Which traditional uses are supported by research?
These summaries come from the source notes, which do not name the studies behind them.
- Krimighna (anthelmintic): traditionally used against tapeworms. In vitro and animal studies have reported activity against cestodes.
- Traditionally used for inflammation. Studies have reported COX-1 and COX-2 inhibition.
- Traditionally used for skin diseases. Studies have reported antimicrobial and antifungal activity of Kamala extract against dermatophytes.
What do recent studies show?
No study for this section could be traced to a published paper. An absence here means we could not identify the source, not that no work exists.
Recent safety updates
- Safety data for pericarp preparations (Kamala) at traditional anthelmintic doses are limited
- High doses may cause gastrointestinal irritation and purgation; not recommended during pregnancy; topical use of Kamala dye may cause contact sensitization in rare cases
What is it made of?
Key Active Markers
- Bergenin
- Friedelin
- Sitosterol
- Rottlerin
- Isorottlerin
- Mallotophilippinens
- Mallotucin D
Dosage forms and preparation
Dosage Forms: Churna (powder), Tablet, Capsule, Lepa (external paste), Taila (oil for external application)
Standard Dosage: 1-3 g powder with honey or warm water; for anthelmintic use: 3-6 g single dose; external application as needed
Optimal Timing: Early morning on empty stomach for anthelmintic use; external application any time as needed
Storage: Store in airtight, light-resistant containers at 15-30°C. Keep away from moisture. The red glandular hair powder is prone to caking if exposed to humidity.
Marker Compounds: Rottlerin (mallotoxin), Isorottlerin, Kamalin, Rottlerin dimethyl ether, Mallotophenone
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.
Laboratory and animal studies12
- 2026. Complex phloroglucinols from glandular hairs of Mallotus philippensis and their antiviral activitiesBioorganic chemistry. PMID 42364380 · doi:10.1016/j.bioorg.2026.110158
- 2025. Mallotus philippensis Extract-Infused Locust Bean Gum-Based Ternary Hydrogel: A Green Fabrication Approach for the Controlled Release of LevofloxacinMacromolecular bioscience. PMID 40659557 · doi:10.1002/mabi.202500266
- 2024. Structurally diverse phenylpropanoyl phloroglucinol derivatives from Mallotus philippensis and their anti-bacterial activitiesBioorganic chemistry. PMID 39481144 · doi:10.1016/j.bioorg.2024.107918
- 2024. Chemical Profiling and Biological Activities on Nepalese Medicinal Plant Extracts and Isolation of Active Fraction of Nyctanthes arbor-tristisTheScientificWorldJournal. PMID 38515931 · doi:10.1155/2024/5080176
- 2023. Towards a win-win chemistry: extraction of C.I. orange from Kamala fruit (Mallotus philippensis), and simultaneous exercise of its peels for the removal of Methylene Blue from waterInternational journal of phytoremediation. PMID 36111428 · doi:10.1080/15226514.2022.2119936
- 2022. Apoptotic and Antiproliferative Potential of GAPDH from Mallotus philippensis Seed on Human Lung Carcinoma: In Vitro and In Vivo ApproachProtein and peptide letters. PMID 35236260 · doi:10.2174/0929866529666220302104935
- 2022. Evaluation of wound healing effect of Mallotus philippensis (Lam.) Mull. Arg. by in silico multitargets directed for multiligand approachIn silico pharmacology. PMID 36199809 · doi:10.1007/s40203-022-00134-0
- 2019. Mallopenins A-E, Antibacterial Phenolic Derivatives from the Fruits of Mallotus philippensisJournal of natural products. PMID 31318550 · doi:10.1021/acs.jnatprod.9b00182
- 2016. Novel R-plasmid conjugal transfer inhibitory and antibacterial activities of phenolic compounds from Mallotus philippensis (Lam.) Mull. ArgJournal of global antimicrobial resistance. PMID 27436460 · doi:10.1016/j.jgar.2016.01.011
- 2016. Antioxidant and Antiplasmodial Activities of Bergenin and 11-O-Galloylbergenin Isolated from Mallotus philippensisOxidative medicine and cellular longevity. PMID 26998192 · doi:10.1155/2016/1051925
- 2016. Cytokine Attenuation and Free Radical Scavenging Activity of a New Flavanone7,4'-Dihydroxy-3″,3″-Dimethyl -(5,6-Pyrano-2″-One)- 8- (3‴,3‴-Dimethyl Allyl)- Isolated from Mallotus philippensis: Possible Mechanism for Its Anti-Inflammatory ActivityPloS one. PMID 27941980 · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0167294
- 2013. Hexane soluble extract of Mallotus philippensis (Lam.) Muell. Arg. root possesses anti-leukaemic activityChemistry Central journal. PMID 24041220 · doi:10.1186/1752-153X-7-157
Reviewed by Dr. Awadesh Pratap Singh, BAMS, on 11 October 2026. What that review covered.
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