Age Ayurveda Nighantu

Mahanimba

Melia azedarach

Mahanimba (Melia azedarach) is a plant used in Ayurveda. Ailanthone undergoes significant hepatic first-pass metabolism. Quassinoids are better absorbed in fasting state. Bitter compounds stimulate bile secretion which paradoxically enhances absorption of subsequent doses.

Key facts
Botanical nameMelia azedarach
FamilyMeliaceae · other entries in this family
OrderSapindales
Taxon identifiersGBIF 5914287 · Wikidata Q162171 · NCBI Taxonomy 155640

Names and identification

LanguageName
EnglishMahanimba

Ayurvedic pharmacology (Dravyaguna)

PropertyValueDescription
Rasa (Taste)Tikta, KashayaPrimary taste
Guna (Quality)Laghu, RukshaPhysical quality
Virya (Potency)SheetaHeating/Cooling effect
Vipaka (Post-digestive)KatuPost-digestive effect

Dosage forms and preparation

Dosage Forms: Churna (powder), Kwatha (decoction), Capsules, Tablets, Taila (medicated oil), Lepa (topical paste), Svarasa (fresh juice)

Standard Dosage: 3-6 g bark powder per day; 50-100 mL decoction twice daily; 500-1000 mg standardized extract daily; external application as directed

Bioavailability: Limonoids and quassinoids show moderate oral bioavailability (20-30%). Ailanthone undergoes significant hepatic first-pass metabolism. Quassinoids are better absorbed in fasting state. Bitter compounds stimulate bile secretion which paradoxically enhances absorption of subsequent doses. Tannins may reduce bioavailability of co-administered iron and proteins.

Optimal Timing: Before meals for antiparasitic and appetite-stimulating effects; after meals for hepatoprotective action; topical application twice daily

Standardized Extract: Bark extract (10:1 hydroalcoholic) standardized to minimum 1% quassinoids (as ailanthone equivalents) and maximum 0.1% meliatoxins (safety limit). Leaf extract standardized to minimum 3% total flavonoids.

Shelf Life: 24 months for bark powder; 30 months for tablets/capsules; 18 months for liquid preparations; 24 months for topical oil

Storage: Store below 25 deg C in airtight, light-resistant containers. Bark powder in moisture-proof containers. Topical oils in amber bottles at room temperature. Mark clearly as ‘Not for unsupervised use’ for internal formulations.

Marker Compounds: Ailanthone, Melianone, Nimbolide, Meliatoxin (control for safety), Vanillin, Beta-sitosterol, Kaempferol, Scopoletin

Extraction Methods

  • Aqueous decoction of bark
  • Hydroalcoholic extraction (70% ethanol)
  • Cold maceration for bitter principles
  • Soxhlet extraction with methanol
  • Sequential extraction for quassinoid isolation
  • Oil infusion for topical preparations

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

  1. Botha CJ, Penrith ML. 2009. Potential plant poisonings in dogs and cats in southern AfricaJournal of the South African Veterinary Association. PMID 19831265 · doi:10.4102/jsava.v80i2.173

Laboratory and animal studies11

  1. Yoo YJ, Zhang M, Jin SH and others. 2026. Targeting the senescence‒autophagy axis via p16(INK4a) inhibition alleviates pulmonary fibrosisSignal transduction and targeted therapy. PMID 42297772 · doi:10.1038/s41392-026-02730-4
  2. Asamoa Mensa KA, Kuntworbe N, Osei YA and others. 2024. Physicochemical and Emulsifying Properties of Melia azedarach GumScientifica. PMID 39220731 · doi:10.1155/2024/3308441
  3. Jeewon R, Pudaruth SB, Bhoyroo V and others. 2024. Antioxidant and Antifungal Properties of Cinnamon, Cloves, Melia azedarach L. and Ocimum gratissimum L. Extracts against Fusarium oxysporum Isolated from Infected Vegetables in MauritiusPathogens (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 38921734 · doi:10.3390/pathogens13060436
  4. Song M, Luo HJ, Li ZW and others. 2023. Limonoids from the roots of Melia azedarach and their anti-inflammatory activityPhytochemistry. PMID 37739201 · doi:10.1016/j.phytochem.2023.113869
  5. Song M, Chan G, Lin LG and others. 2022. Triterpenoids from the fruits of Melia azedarach L. and their cytotoxic activitiesPhytochemistry. PMID 35716716 · doi:10.1016/j.phytochem.2022.113280
  6. Dias MC, Pinto DCGA, Costa M and others. 2022. Phytochemical and Antioxidant Profile of the Medicinal Plant Melia azedarach Subjected to Water Deficit ConditionsInternational journal of molecular sciences. PMID 36362399 · doi:10.3390/ijms232113611
  7. Shrestha SS, Ferrarese I, Sut S and others. 2021. Phytochemical Investigations and In Vitro Bioactivity Screening on Melia azedarach L. Leaves Extract from NepalChemistry & biodiversity. PMID 33682999 · doi:10.1002/cbdv.202001070
  8. Forrester MB, Layton GM, Varney SM. 2020. Melia Azedarach Ingestions Reported to Texas Poison CentersThe Journal of emergency medicine. PMID 32197892 · doi:10.1016/j.jemermed.2020.01.011
  9. Seifu D, Gustafsson LE, Chawla R and others. 2017. Antidiabetic and gastric emptying inhibitory effect of herbal Melia azedarach leaf extract in rodent models of diabetes type 2 mellitusJournal of experimental pharmacology. PMID 28360538 · doi:10.2147/JEP.S126146
  10. Sanna G, Madeddu S, Giliberti G and others. 2015. Limonoids from Melia azedarach Fruits as Inhibitors of Flaviviruses and Mycobacterium tubercolosisPloS one. PMID 26485025 · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0141272
  11. Phua DH, Tsai WJ, Ger J and others. 2008. Human Melia azedarach poisoningClinical toxicology (Philadelphia, Pa.). PMID 18763152 · doi:10.1080/15563650802310929

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