Age Ayurveda Nighantu

Murva

Marsdenia tenacissima (Roxb.) Moon

Murva (Marsdenia tenacissima (Roxb.) Moon) is a plant used in Ayurveda, from the Asclepiadaceae family. Not listed in WHO monographs; included in Chinese Pharmacopoeia as Tong-Guan-Teng; recognized in traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine systems.

Key facts
Botanical nameMarsdenia tenacissima (Roxb.) Moon
Currently accepted nameGongronemopsis tenacissima (Roxb.) S.Reuss, Liede & Meve — the name above is treated as a synonym by GBIF; both are in use
FamilyAsclepiadaceae · other entries in this family
OrderGentianales
Pharmacopoeia statusNot listed in WHO monographs; included in Chinese Pharmacopoeia as Tong-Guan-Teng; recognized in traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine systems
Taxon identifiersGBIF 3575087 · Wikidata Q15225677 · NCBI Taxonomy 187505

Names and identification

LanguageName
EnglishMurva
Latin/BotanicalMarsdenia tenacissima (Roxb.) Moon

Key Phytochemical Constituents

How does it work?

  • C21 steroidal glycosides induce apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in cancer cells via PI3K/AKT/mTOR and YAP pathway inhibition
  • Anti-angiogenic activity through inhibition of endothelial cell proliferation, migration, and tube formation by blocking G1 to S cell cycle progression
  • Multidrug resistance reversal in cancer cells through modulation of P-glycoprotein efflux pump activity
  • Immunomodulation via TLR4-MyD88-NF-kB pathway activation by polysaccharide fractions

Which traditional uses are supported by research?

  • Anti-tumor and anti-cancer activity validated through extensive in vitro and in vivo studies showing inhibition of multiple cancer cell lines (A549, HepG2, Caco-2, K562)
  • Anti-HIV activity confirmed through laboratory studies demonstrating inhibition of viral replication
  • Immunomodulatory properties validated through polysaccharide-mediated activation of immune signaling pathways

What do recent clinical trials show?

Recent safety updates

  • Xiao-Ai-Ping injection (M. tenacissima-based) has been authorized in China for decades with no significant side effects reported in clinical settings when used alone or combined with chemotherapy/radiotherapy
  • Preliminary clinical studies suggest wide-ranging anti-cancer properties with minimal toxicity; however, standardization and quality control of C21 steroid content remain essential for safety

What is it made of?

Key Active Markers

  • Glycosides
  • Sesquiterpenoids
  • Quercetin
  • Sitosterol
  • Tenacigenoside A-L
  • Tenacigenin A-D
  • Eudesmane
  • Nor-sesquiterpenoids
  • Pyrrole glycosides
  • Phenolic glycosides
  • Gallic acid
  • Beta-

Analytical Methods: HPLC fingerprinting, TLC (identity), LC-MS/MS (marker quantification)

Dosage forms and preparation

Dosage Forms: Churna (root/fiber powder), Kwatha (decoction), Capsules, Tablets, Lepa (topical paste), Taila (medicated oil)

Standard Dosage: 3-6 g root powder per day; 50-100 mL decoction twice daily; 500-1000 mg extract capsules daily

Bioavailability: Moderate bioavailability of alkaloids and flavonoids. Periplocin (cardiac glycoside) shows variable oral absorption (20-40%) with significant individual variation. Lupeol and other terpenoids are better absorbed with lipid co-administration. Fiber components act locally in GI tract.

Optimal Timing: Between meals for anti-inflammatory and diuretic effects; morning for digestive stimulation; topical application twice daily

Standardized Extract: Root extract (10:1 hydroalcoholic) standardized to minimum 1% total alkaloids and controlled cardiac glycoside content (below 0.5% periplocin for safety). Fiber preparation for wound management applications. Aqueous extract for mild diuretic formulations.

Shelf Life: Dried root: 24 months. Root powder: 18 months. Capsules/tablets: 24 months. Fiber preparations: 36 months (dry). Topical oil: 24 months.

Storage: Store below 25 deg C in airtight containers. Protect from moisture and light. Fiber preparations in dry conditions. Cardiac glycoside-containing preparations require restricted access storage.

Marker Compounds: Periplocin, Periplocymarin, Lupeol, Beta-amyrin, Marsdekoiside, Conduritol, Tenacigenin

Extraction Methods

  • Aqueous decoction
  • Hydroalcoholic extraction (60-70% ethanol)
  • Cold maceration
  • Fiber extraction for cordage/suture applications
  • Oil infusion for topical preparations

Synergistic Combinations

  • Guduchi (anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory)
  • Sariva (blood purification and cooling)
  • Musta (digestive and anti-inflammatory)
  • Punarnava (diuretic and anti-inflammatory)
  • Gokshura (renal protective 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.

Systematic reviews and meta-analyses1

  1. Zhou X, Liu M, Ren Q and others. 2019. Oral and injectable Marsdenia tenacissima extract (MTE) as adjuvant therapy to chemotherapy for gastric cancer: a systematic reviewBMC complementary and alternative medicine. PMID 31830977 · doi:10.1186/s12906-019-2779-y

Other clinical studies and reviews1

  1. Wang X, Yan Y, Chen X and others. 2018. The Antitumor Activities of Marsdenia tenacissimaFrontiers in oncology. PMID 30406035 · doi:10.3389/fonc.2018.00473

Laboratory and animal studies10

  1. Xu Z, Li L, Zhang W and others. 2026. Network pharmacology and experimental validation identify the targets of Marsdenia tenacissima in neutrophilic asthma treatmentJournal of ethnopharmacology. PMID 41135618 · doi:10.1016/j.jep.2025.120782
  2. Li R, Li L, Li R and others. 2025. Biomarker Discovery and Molecular Docking Reveal Marsdenia tenacissima Fermentation Product's Anti-Lung Cancer ComponentsCurrent issues in molecular biology. PMID 40699827 · doi:10.3390/cimb47060427
  3. Xiang D, Zhang X, Xue X and others. 2025. Marsdenia tenacissima extract accelerates ferroptosis of osteosarcoma cells by upregulating HO-1 and activating mitophagyJournal of ethnopharmacology. PMID 40441459 · doi:10.1016/j.jep.2025.120055
  4. Du TT, Fan MH, Liu JL and others. 2024. Three New Steroids from the Roots of Marsdenia tenacissimaChemistry & biodiversity. PMID 39211952 · doi:10.1002/cbdv.202401801
  5. Li C, Wang K, Wang C and others. 2024. A glucose-rich heteropolysaccharide from Marsdenia tenacissima (Roxb.) Wight et Arn. and its zinc-modified complex enhance immunoregulation by regulating TLR4-Myd88-NF-κB pathwayInternational journal of biological macromolecules. PMID 39537046 · doi:10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.137529
  6. Zhou Y, Fan W, Zhang H and others. 2023. Marsdenia tenacissima genome reveals calcium adaptation and tenacissoside biosynthesisThe Plant journal : for cell and molecular biology. PMID 36575579 · doi:10.1111/tpj.16081
  7. Lin S, Sheng Q, Ma X and others. 2022. Marsdenia tenacissima Extract Induces Autophagy and Apoptosis of Hepatocellular Cells via MIF/mToR SignalingEvidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM. PMID 35280512 · doi:10.1155/2022/7354700
  8. Li R, Zhang Z, Wang S and others. 2022. Co-Fermentation of Marsdenia tenacissima with Ganoderma lucidum and Anti-Lung Cancer Effect of the Fermentation ProductsJournal of visualized experiments : JoVE. PMID 36591966 · doi:10.3791/64687
  9. Li R, Zhang Z, Su X and others. 2022. Nontargeted metabolomics study and pharmacodynamic evaluation of bidirectional fermentation for Ganoderma lucidum with Marsdenia tenacissimaFrontiers in pharmacology. PMID 36386222 · doi:10.3389/fphar.2022.1012063
  10. Wang S, Lu L, Song T and others. 2022. Optimization of Cordyceps sinensis fermentation Marsdenia tenacissima process and the differences of metabolites before and after fermentationHeliyon. PMID 36636205 · doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e12586

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