Karanja
Millettia pinnata (L.) Panigrahi (syn. Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre)
Karanja (Millettia pinnata (L.) Panigrahi (syn. Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre)) is a plant drug, also called Ghrtakaranja, Ghritakaranjah and Karanjaka, 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 |
| Sanskrit | Ghrtakaranja, घृतकरञ्जः (ghṛtakarañjaḥ), Karanjaka, करञ्जकः (karañjakaḥ), Naktahva, Naktamala, नक्तमालः (naktamālaḥ) |
|---|---|
| Hindi | करंज (karaṃja), Dithouri, Karuaini |
| English | Smooth leaved pongamia |
| Tamil | புங்கை, Pungai, Pungan |
| Malayalam | Avittal, Pungu, Ungu, Unu |
| Telugu | Ganuga, Kanuga, Lamiga |
| Kannada | Honge, Honge Beru, Hulagilu |
| Marathi | Karanja |
| Bengali | Dahara Karanja, Karanja, Nata Karanja |
| Gujarati | Kanajo, Karanji |
| Urdu | Karanj |
| Punjabi | Karanj |
| Oriya | Karnja |
| Assamese | Korach |
Sources: Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India; Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (column alignment reconstructed); Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India, KARANJA (dried root bark of Pongamia pinnata (Linn.) Merr.), Tamil slot "Pungai" (api-all.txt line 24555 ff.); the seed monograph gives Tamil "Pungan, Pongana".; Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India, KARANJA monographs (Pongamia pinnata = Millettia pinnata), Sanskrit slot "Karanjaka, Naktamala, Naktahva, Ghrtakaranja"; Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India, KARANJA monographs (seeds of Pongamia pinnata (Linn.) Merr., api-all.txt line 8646; dried root bark, line 24555), Hindi slots "Dithouri, Karuaini" / "Karanj", with 'Karanj' also in the Punjabi slot of the seed monograph.; Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India, KARANJA monographs (seeds, api-all.txt line 8646; root bark, line 24555, of Pongamia pinnata (Linn.) Merr. = Millettia pinnata), Sanskrit slot "Karanjaka, Naktamala, Naktahva, Ghrtakaranja". How we source.
The evidence at a glance
12papers on this site for this drug, published 2013 to 2024, every one with a DOI.
- 2Other clinical studies and reviews
- 10Laboratory 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. Each paper is listed with what it measured on the page below. See the research index for how papers are tiered.
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?
These summaries come from the source notes, which do not name the studies behind them.
- Kushtha (skin disease): traditionally used for skin disease. Studies have reported antimicrobial activity against dermatophytes and skin pathogens, as well as anti-inflammatory activity.
- Traditionally used for hemorrhoids. Preclinical studies have reported anti-inflammatory and wound-healing activity.
- In vitro studies have reported anthelmintic activity against Pheretima posthuma and Ascaridia galli.
- Traditionally used for inflammation. Animal studies have reported anti-inflammatory activity in carrageenan-induced paw edema and cotton pellet granuloma models.
What do recent studies 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.
Only studies that could be traced to a published paper are listed here. 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.
What is it made of?
Key Active Markers
- Karanjin
- Pongamol
- Pongapin
- Sitosterol
- Pongaglabrone
- Cycloart-23-ene-3beta
- Kanjone
- Pinnatin
- Glabrin
- Oleic acid
- Linoleic acid
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
Optimal Timing: Internal: after meals; external (oil/ointment): apply to affected areas twice daily, preferably morning and before bed
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
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
- 2015. The value of biodiversity in legume symbiotic nitrogen fixation and nodulation for biofuel and food productionJournal of plant physiology. PMID 25240795 · doi:10.1016/j.jplph.2014.05.013
- 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 studies10
- 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. An Assessment of the In Vitro Antioxidant Activity of Cobalt Nanoparticles Synthesized From Millettia pinnata, Butea monosperma, and Madhuca indica Extracts: A Comparative StudyCureus. PMID 38803791 · doi:10.7759/cureus.59112
- 2024. Comparative Bioactivity Analysis of Green-Synthesized Metal (Cobalt, Copper, and Selenium) NanoparticlesCureus. PMID 38601374 · doi:10.7759/cureus.55933
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 2015. Larvicidal activity and possible mode of action of four flavonoids and two fatty acids identified in Millettia pinnata seed toward three mosquito speciesParasites & vectors. PMID 25928224 · doi:10.1186/s13071-015-0848-8
Reviewed by Dr. Awadesh Pratap Singh, BAMS, on 11 October 2026. What that review covered.
Consult a qualified vaidya before acting on anything here. Ayurvedic practice is prescribed to a person, not to a condition: the same dravya is given, withheld or substituted depending on your constitution, your agni, the season and what else you are already taking. A page cannot know any of that. Self-prescribing from a reference is how the wrong preparation, the wrong dose or the wrong anupana gets used.
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