Lakuca
Artocarpus lacucha
Lakuca (Artocarpus lacucha) is a plant used in Ayurveda. Alkaloids (particularly lactucin-type) show moderate GI absorption. Lipid-based delivery systems enhance bioavailability of sesquiterpene lactones by approximately 30%. Optimal Timing: Evening administration for sleep-promoting effects; before meals for digestive applications Standardized Extract: Standardized hydroalcoholic extract (8:1), minimum 0.5% sesquiterpene lactones (as lactucin equivalents).
| Botanical name | Artocarpus lacucha |
|---|---|
| Family | Moraceae · other entries in this family |
| Order | Rosales |
| Taxon identifiers | GBIF 7873234 · Wikidata Q759430 · NCBI Taxonomy 382341 |
Names and identification
| Language | Name |
|---|---|
| English | Lakuca |
Ayurvedic pharmacology (Dravyaguna)
| Property | Value | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Rasa (Taste) | Amla, Kashaya | Primary taste |
| Guna (Quality) | Guru | Physical quality |
| Virya (Potency) | Ushna | Heating/Cooling effect |
| Vipaka (Post-digestive) | Amla | Post-digestive effect |
Dosage forms and preparation
Dosage Forms: Churna (powder), Kwatha (decoction), Asava/Arishta (fermented preparation), Capsules, Tablets
Standard Dosage: 3-6 g powder per day; 50-100 mL decoction twice daily; seed powder 1-3 g
Bioavailability: Low to moderate bioavailability due to presence of latex proteins and complex polysaccharides. Alkaloids (particularly lactucin-type) show moderate GI absorption. Lipid-based delivery systems enhance bioavailability of sesquiterpene lactones by approximately 30%.
Optimal Timing: Evening administration for sleep-promoting effects; before meals for digestive applications
Standardized Extract: Standardized hydroalcoholic extract (8:1), minimum 0.5% sesquiterpene lactones (as lactucin equivalents). Latex extract standardized to 1% lactucopicrin.
Shelf Life: 18 months for powder; 30 months for coated tablets/capsules; 12 months for liquid extracts
Storage: Store below 25 deg C in airtight, light-resistant containers. Latex preparations are highly sensitive to light and oxidation; store under nitrogen in amber containers at 2-8 deg C.
Marker Compounds: Lactucin, Lactucopicrin, Beta-amyrin, Lupeol, Taraxasterol, Germanicol
Extraction Methods
- Aqueous extraction
- Hydroalcoholic extraction (60% ethanol)
- Cold maceration of latex
- Sequential solvent extraction (hexane then methanol)
Synergistic Combinations
- Jatamansi (sedative potentiation)
- Tagara (anxiolytic synergy)
- Brahmi (cognitive support)
- Sarpagandha (antihypertensive combination)
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
- 2022. A Literature Review of Artocarpus lacucha Focusing on the Phytochemical Constituents and Pharmacological Properties of the PlantMolecules (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 36296532 · doi:10.3390/molecules27206940
Laboratory and animal studies11
- 2025. Toxicological evaluation of Artocarpus lacucha ethyl acetate extract: in vitro and in vivo assessmentJournal of ethnopharmacology. PMID 40228589 · doi:10.1016/j.jep.2025.119804
- 2025. Ethnobotany, Cytotoxicity and Color Stability of Karen Natural ColorantsPlants (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 40364377 · doi:10.3390/plants14091348
- 2025. Identification of specialized metabolites from Artocarpus lacucha as potent α-glucosidase and acetylcholinesterase inhibitors: enzyme kinetic, in vitro and in silico studyJournal of natural medicines. PMID 40329121 · doi:10.1007/s11418-025-01904-8
- 2024. Antibacterial and antioxidant activities in various parts of Artocarpus lacucha Buch. Ham. ethanolic extractBiomedical reports. PMID 38476607 · doi:10.3892/br.2024.1755
- 2024. Flavan-Benzofurans from Artocarpus lacucha: Their Intracellular Antioxidant Activity and Molecular Docking to Glutathione ReductaseACS omega. PMID 39130579 · doi:10.1021/acsomega.4c03865
- 2023. Screening of Antioxidant, Antibacterial, Anti-Adipogenic, and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Five Selected Medicinal Plants of NepalJournal of experimental pharmacology. PMID 36891159 · doi:10.2147/JEP.S388968
- 2023. Potential insecticidal extracts from Artocarpus lacucha against Spodoptera litura (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) larvaeJournal of economic entomology. PMID 37289434 · doi:10.1093/jee/toad108
- 2021. Highly Aromatic Flavan-3-ol Derivatives from Palaeotropical Artocarpus lacucha Buch.-Ham Possess Radical Scavenging and Antiproliferative PropertiesMolecules (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 33670764 · doi:10.3390/molecules26041078
- 2020. Taxonomic Notes on the 'Mahat' (Artocarpus lacucha and A. thailandicus, Moraceae) Species Complex in ThailandPlants (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 32235808 · doi:10.3390/plants9030391
- 2019. Antinociceptive activities of Artocarpus lacucha Buch-ham (Moraceae) and its isolated phenolic compound, catechin, in miceBMC complementary and alternative medicine. PMID 31412852 · doi:10.1186/s12906-019-2565-x
- 2016. Oxyresveratrol: Structural Modification and Evaluation of Biological ActivitiesMolecules (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 27104505 · doi:10.3390/molecules21040489
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