# Lavali

> Lavali (Meyna spinosa Roxb. ex Link) is a plant used in Ayurveda, from the Rubiaceae family. Not listed in WHO monographs on selected medicinal plants; categorized as an unexplored ethnomedicinal plant requiring further scientific investigation; documented in regional ethnobotanical surveys of India.

## Key facts

- **Botanical name:** Meyna spinosa Roxb. ex Link
- **Family:** Rubiaceae
- **Pharmacopoeia status:** Not listed in WHO monographs on selected medicinal plants; categorized as an unexplored ethnomedicinal plant requiring further scientific investigation; documented in regional ethnobotanical surveys of India

## Names and identification

| Language | Name |
|----------|------|
| English | Lavali |
| Latin/Botanical | *Meyna spinosa Roxb. ex Link* |

## Key Phytochemical Constituents

- Ursolic acid
- Oleanolic acid
- [Lupeol](/reference/lupeol/)
- [Betulin](/glossary/compounds-a-c/#betulin)
- [Scopoletin](/glossary/compounds-q-t/#scopoletin)
- Phloroglucinol
- Secoxyloganin
- Iron (Fe)
- Zinc (Zn)
- [Tannins](/reference/tannins/)

## How does it work?

- Ursolic acid and oleanolic acid exhibit anti-inflammatory activity through inhibition of NF-kB pathway, suppression of COX-2/iNOS expression, and reduction of pro-inflammatory cytokine production
- Scopoletin exerts [antidiabetic](/reference/antidiabetic/) effects through inhibition of alpha-glucosidase and aldose reductase [enzymes](/glossary/compounds-d-g/#enzymes), reducing postprandial hyperglycemia and diabetic complications
- Lupeol and betulin demonstrate [hepatoprotective](/reference/hepatoprotective/) effects by enhancing [antioxidant](/reference/antioxidant/) enzyme activity (SOD, catalase, GPx) and reducing lipid peroxidation in hepatocytes

## Which traditional uses are supported by research?

- Antidiabetic and antihyperglycemic activity partially validated through preliminary pharmacological studies supporting traditional tribal use for diabetes management
- [Antimicrobial](/reference/antimicrobial/) properties confirmed in vitro against bacterial and fungal pathogens, supporting traditional use for treating dysentery and skin infections in folk medicine

## What do recent clinical trials show?

- Boruah JLH, Gogoi M, Famhawite V and others 2025. [Phytochemical Characterization, Prooxidant, Antiproliferative and Anti-Inflammatory Potential of Meyna spinosa Roxb. Ex Link Ripe Fruit](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39715024/). *Chemistry & biodiversity*. PMID [39715024](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39715024/) · [doi:10.1002/cbdv.202402342](https://doi.org/10.1002/cbdv.202402342)  
  Comprehensive review documenting antimicrobial, antioxidant, cytotoxic, antidiabetic, nephroprotective, and hepatoprotective potential, noting the plant remains significantly under-researched.

*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

- Limited formal toxicity studies have been conducted; the plant is used traditionally as food (ripe fruits eaten) and medicine in tribal communities of Northeast India
- Given the limited pharmacological investigation, standardized dose-toxicity relationship data is not yet available for clinical application
- Abortifacient activity documented in traditional use; strictly avoid during pregnancy; further comprehensive toxicity studies are recommended

## Dosage forms and preparation

**Dosage Forms:** Churna (powder), Kwatha (decoction), Capsules, Tablets, Avaleha (confection), Svarasa (juice)

**Standard Dosage:** 3-6 g fruit powder per day; 50-100 mL decoction twice daily; 10-20 mL fresh juice

**Bioavailability:** Moderate bioavailability of phenolic compounds and organic acids. Ascorbic acid and [flavonoids](/reference/flavonoids/) show reasonable GI absorption. Oxalic acid content may interfere with mineral absorption. [Anthocyanins](/glossary/compounds-1-a/#anthocyanins) (in ripe fruit) show limited but significant systemic availability.

**Optimal Timing:** Between meals for digestive benefits; morning for nutritive supplementation; avoid in patients with kidney disorders

**Standardized Extract:** Spray-dried fruit extract (15:1) standardized to minimum 5% total phenolics (as gallic acid equivalents) and minimum 10% vitamin C. Freeze-dried powder retaining 90%+ of original vitamin C.

**Shelf Life:** Fresh fruit: 5-7 days refrigerated. Spray-dried powder: 18 months. Freeze-dried powder: 24 months. Capsules/tablets: 24 months.

**Storage:** Fresh fruit at 5-10 deg C. Dried extracts in airtight, moisture-proof containers below 25 deg C with desiccant. Protect from light to preserve vitamin C content. Nitrogen-flush packaging recommended.

**Marker Compounds:** Ascorbic acid, Oxalic acid, Gallic acid, [Epicatechin](/glossary/compounds-d-g/#epicatechin), [Proanthocyanidins](/glossary/compounds-o-q/#proanthocyanidins), [Saponins](/reference/saponins/), Caramboxin

### Extraction Methods

- Aqueous extraction
- Hydroalcoholic extraction (50% ethanol)
- Cold pressing for juice
- Spray drying of juice concentrate
- Freeze drying for nutrient preservation

### Synergistic Combinations

- Amalaki (synergistic vitamin C and antioxidant effect)
- [Haritaki](/herb/haritaki/) (digestive and Tridosha balancing)
- [Draksha](/herb/draksha/) (nutritive and blood-building combination)
- [Pippali](/herb/pippali/) (bioenhancement of phenolic absorption)

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

## 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.