Karanja
Millettia pinnata (L.) Panigrahi (syn. Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre)
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.
| Botanical name | Millettia pinnata (L.) Panigrahi (syn. Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre) |
|---|---|
| Currently accepted name | Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre — the name above is treated as a synonym by GBIF; both are in use |
| Family | Fabaceae (Papilionoideae) · other entries in this family |
| Order | Fabales |
| 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). |
| Taxon identifiers | GBIF 5357476 · Wikidata Q1973585 · NCBI Taxonomy 56065 |
Names and identification
| Language | Name |
|---|---|
| English | Karanja |
| Latin/Botanical | Millettia pinnata (L.) Panigrahi (syn. Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre) |
Key Phytochemical Constituents
- Karanjin (furanoflavone)
- Pongamol (chalcone)
- Pongaglabrone
- Pongapin
- Cycloart-23-ene-3beta,25-diol (triterpene)
- Kanjone
- Pinnatin
- Glabrin
- Beta-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 action through disruption of bacterial cell membrane by flavonoids and seed oil fatty acids
- 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. Journal of ethnopharmacology. PMID 24016802 · doi:10.1016/j.jep.2013.08.041
Furanoflavonoid karanjin showed potent anti-inflammatory and 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 oil, oleic acid) significantly improve transdermal delivery. 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
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
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 reviews1
- 2013. Medicinal uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology of Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre: a reviewJournal of ethnopharmacology. PMID 24016802 · doi:10.1016/j.jep.2013.08.041
Laboratory and animal studies11
- 2024. MpNAC1, a transcription factor from the mangrove associate Millettia pinnata, confers salt and drought stress tolerance in transgenic Arabidopsis and ricePlant physiology and biochemistry : PPB. PMID 38739961 · doi:10.1016/j.plaphy.2024.108721
- 2024. Comparative Bioactivity Analysis of Green-Synthesized Metal (Cobalt, Copper, and Selenium) NanoparticlesCureus. PMID 38601374 · doi:10.7759/cureus.55933
- 2023. Heavy metal accumulation in leaves of selected plant species in urban areas of DelhiEnvironmental science and pollution research international. PMID 36383322 · doi:10.1007/s11356-022-24157-4
- 2023. A novel ABA-induced transcript factor from Millettia pinnata, MpAITR1, enhances salt and drought tolerance through ABA signaling in transgenic ArabidopsisJournal of plant physiology. PMID 37542942 · doi:10.1016/j.jplph.2023.154060
- 2022. Alleviation of Herbicide Toxicity in Solanum lycopersicum L.-An Antioxidant Stimulation ApproachPlants (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 36079642 · doi:10.3390/plants11172261
- 2022. Millettia pinnata plant pod extract-mediated synthesis of Bi(2)O(3) for degradation of water pollutantsEnvironmental science and pollution research international. PMID 35708808 · doi:10.1007/s11356-022-21435-z
- 2022. Genome sequencing and analysis uncover the regulatory elements involved in the development and oil biosynthesis of Pongamia pinnata (L.) - A potential biodiesel feedstockFrontiers in plant science. PMID 36092428 · doi:10.3389/fpls.2022.747783
- 2021. Isolation and Functional Characterization of a Salt-Responsive Calmodulin-Like Gene MpCML40 from Semi-Mangrove Millettia pinnataInternational journal of molecular sciences. PMID 33801703 · doi:10.3390/ijms22073475
- 2021. A C2H2-Type Zinc-Finger Protein from Millettia pinnata, MpZFP1, Enhances Salt Tolerance in Transgenic ArabidopsisInternational journal of molecular sciences. PMID 34639173 · doi:10.3390/ijms221910832
- 2019. Synthesis, characterization and pharmacological potential of green synthesized copper nanoparticlesBioprocess and biosystems engineering. PMID 31372759 · doi:10.1007/s00449-019-02173-y
- 2017. Chloroplast and mitochondrial microsatellites for Millettia pinnata (Fabaceae) and cross-amplification in related speciesApplications in plant sciences. PMID 28529836 · doi:10.3732/apps.1700034
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