# Karanja

> Karanja (Millettia pinnata (L.) Panigrahi (syn. Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre)) is a plant used in Ayurveda, from the Fabaceae (Papilionoideae) family. Listed in the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India.

## Key facts

- **Botanical name:** Millettia pinnata (L.) Panigrahi (syn. Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre)
- **Family:** Fabaceae (Papilionoideae)
- **Pharmacopoeia status:** Listed in the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. Karanja oil is an official drug in Ayurvedic external formulations. No WHO monograph. Also used in biodiesel production (Pongamia biodiesel).

## Names and identification

| Language | Name |
|----------|------|
| English | Karanja |
| Latin/Botanical | *Millettia pinnata (L.) Panigrahi (syn. Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre)* |

## Key Phytochemical Constituents

- [Karanjin](/glossary/compounds-g-l/#karanjin) (furanoflavone)
- [Pongamol](/glossary/compounds-o-q/#pongamol) (chalcone)
- Pongaglabrone
- [Pongapin](/glossary/compounds-o-q/#pongapin)
- Cycloart-23-ene-3beta,25-diol (triterpene)
- Kanjone
- Pinnatin
- Glabrin
- Beta-[sitosterol](/glossary/compounds-q-t/#sitosterol)
- Oleic acid
- Linoleic acid

## How does it work?

- Anti-inflammatory activity via karanjin-mediated selective COX-2 inhibition and modulation of prostaglandin synthesis
- [Antimicrobial](/reference/antimicrobial/) action through disruption of bacterial cell membrane by [flavonoids](/reference/flavonoids/) and seed oil fatty acids
- [Antidiabetic](/reference/antidiabetic/) activity via alpha-glucosidase inhibition and improved insulin sensitivity by pongamol and karanjin
- Wound healing through promotion of keratinocyte migration, collagen synthesis and antimicrobial protection of wound bed

## Which traditional uses are supported by research?

- Skin disease (Kushtha) treatment validated through antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory studies on dermatophytes and skin pathogens
- Anti-hemorrhoidal use supported by anti-inflammatory and wound healing preclinical studies
- Anthelmintic activity confirmed against Pheretima posthuma and Ascaridia galli in vitro
- Anti-inflammatory use validated in carrageenan-induced paw edema and cotton pellet granuloma models

## What do recent clinical trials show?

- Al Muqarrabun LM, Ahmat N, Ruzaina SA and others 2013. [Medicinal uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology of Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre: a review](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24016802/). *Journal of ethnopharmacology*. PMID [24016802](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24016802/) · [doi:10.1016/j.jep.2013.08.041](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2013.08.041)  
  Furanoflavonoid karanjin showed potent anti-inflammatory and [analgesic](/reference/analgesic/) activities through COX-2 selective inhibition and modulation of arachidonic acid cascade.

*2 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

- Seed oil is primarily used externally in traditional medicine; internal consumption of raw seeds should be avoided due to potential toxicity of certain alkaloid fractions
- Karanjin has shown low acute toxicity in animal models; however, standardized human safety data is limited. External application of seed oil is well-tolerated for skin conditions.

## What is it made of?

### Key Active Markers

- Karanjin
- Pongamol
- Pongapin
- Sitosterol
- Pongaglabrone
- 
- Cycloart-23-ene-3beta
- Kanjone
- Pinnatin
- Glabrin
- Beta-
- Oleic acid
- Linoleic acid

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

## Dosage forms and preparation

**Dosage Forms:** Taila (oil for external use), Churna (powder), Kashayam (decoction), Lepa (paste), Capsule, Ointment/Cream

**Standard Dosage:** 1-3 g powder twice daily (internal); Taila for external application as needed; 30-50 mL decoction twice daily

**Bioavailability:** Karanjin and pongamol are highly lipophilic flavonoids with limited oral bioavailability (~15-20%). Self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery systems (SNEDDS) improve oral bioavailability by 4-5 fold. For dermatological use, penetration enhancers ([eucalyptus](/herb/eucalyptus/) oil, oleic acid) significantly improve transdermal delivery. [Piperine](/reference/piperine/) co-administration enhances systemic absorption.

**Optimal Timing:** Internal: after meals; external (oil/ointment): apply to affected areas twice daily, preferably morning and before bed

**Standardized Extract:** Seed oil standardized to minimum 2% karanjin and 1% pongamol by HPLC; bark extract standardized to minimum 5% total flavonoids

**Shelf Life:** 24 months for seed oil; 24 months for powder; 18 months for ointments/creams; 36 months for capsules with antioxidant stabilization

**Storage:** Oil should be stored in amber glass bottles at 15-30°C, protected from light and heat. Powder in airtight containers. Add BHT (0.02%) or tocopherol (0.05%) as antioxidant for oil stability.

**Marker Compounds:** Karanjin, Pongamol, Pongapin, Glabrin, Kanjone, Pongaglabol, Beta-sitosterol, [Furanoflavonoids](/glossary/compounds-d-g/#furanoflavonoids)

### Extraction Methods

- Cold pressing of seeds for Karanja oil
- Hydroalcoholic extraction (70-80% ethanol) for flavonoid enrichment
- Supercritical CO2 extraction for karanjin-rich fractions
- Soxhlet extraction with petroleum ether for fixed oil

### Synergistic Combinations

- [Nimba](/herb/nimba/) ([Neem](/herb/neem/)) for dermatological formulations and biopesticides
- [Haridra](/herb/haridra/) ([Turmeric](/herb/turmeric/)) for anti-inflammatory skin preparations
- [Vidanga](/herb/vidanga/) for anthelmintic activity
- [Chakramarda](/herb/chakramarda/) for ringworm and fungal infections
- [Bakuchi](/herb/bakuchi/) for leucoderma management

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Canonical version of this page: https://nighantu.ageayurveda.com/herb/karanja/

## Sources

- Amidha Ayurveda Herb Database (700+ herbs, CC-BY-4.0)
- Web research (clinical trials, WHO monographs, safety databases)
- Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India

Published by Age Ayurveda in the Nighantu. Educational reference only, not medical advice.
Incorporates material from the Amidha Ayurveda Herb Database under CC BY 4.0.