Age Ayurveda Nighantu

Padmaka

Prunus cerasoides D. Don

Padmaka (Prunus cerasoides D. Don) is a plant used in Ayurveda. Listed in the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India as an official drug. [An Insight Review on Phytochemistry, Pharmacological Evidences, and Biosynthesis of Key Metabolites of Indian Himalayan Cherry (Prunus cerasoides Don.) with Emphasis on its Safety and Use in Tradtional Phytomedicine](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39552266/).

Key facts
Botanical namePrunus cerasoides D. Don
FamilyRosaceae
OrderRosales
Pharmacopoeia statusListed in the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India as an official drug. Referenced in classical Ayurvedic texts (Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita) as a Varnya (complexion-enhancing) herb. No dedicated WHO monograph published.
Taxon identifiersGBIF 3021409 · Wikidata Q150149 · NCBI Taxonomy 378224

Names and identification

LanguageName
EnglishPadmaka
Latin/BotanicalPrunus cerasoides D. Don

Key Phytochemical Constituents

  • beta-Sitosterol (phytosterol)
  • Stigmasterol (steroid)
  • Ursolic acid (pentacyclic triterpenoid)
  • Prunetinoside (isoflavone glycoside)
  • Glucogenkwanin (flavone glycoside)
  • Neosakuranin (flavanone glycoside)
  • Puddumin-A and Puddumin-B (flavonoids)

How does it work?

  • Ursolic acid anti-inflammatory pathway: Inhibits NF-kB nuclear translocation and suppresses COX-2 and iNOS expression, reducing skin inflammation and redness
  • Phytosterol skin barrier enhancement: beta-Sitosterol and stigmasterol integrate into skin lipid bilayers, strengthening the stratum corneum barrier, reducing transepidermal water loss, and improving skin hydration
  • Flavonoid antioxidant protection: Prunetinoside and neosakuranin scavenge free radicals and chelate metal ions, protecting skin from oxidative stress-induced aging and pigmentation
  • Astringent toning mechanism: Tannin-like compounds precipitate superficial skin proteins, reducing pore size and improving skin texture and complexion

Which traditional uses are supported by research?

  • Complexion enhancement (Varnya): Traditional face pack use supported by antioxidant activity and development of Padmaka-based cosmetic face serum (2024 study)
  • Anti-inflammatory skin rash relief: Validated by bark powder application studies showing reduction in skin rashes and itching through NF-kB suppression
  • Skin discoloration treatment: Traditional heartwood use for discoloration partially supported by antioxidant mechanisms, though clinical trials are needed

What do recent clinical trials show?

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

  • No significant adverse effects reported in traditional use at recommended doses. Limited formal toxicology data available; the 2025 comprehensive review emphasizes the need for formal safety studies
  • Wild Himalayan cherry is a food-grade plant (fruits edible); bark and heartwood preparations for skin use have centuries of traditional safety record in Ayurveda. No known drug interactions reported

What is it made of?

Key Active Markers

  • Sitosterol
  • Stigmasterol
  • Flavonoids
  • Ursolic acid
  • Prunetinoside
  • Glucogenkwanin
  • Neosakuranin
  • Puddumin-A and Puddumin-B

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

Dosage forms and preparation

Dosage Forms: Churna, Kwatha, Capsule, Tablet, Asava/Arishtam, Lepa (paste), Cream

Standard Dosage: 1-3 g heartwood powder twice daily; 500-750 mg standardized extract daily; 15-20 mL decoction twice daily

Bioavailability: Padmaka (Prunus cerasoides) contains flavonoids and terpenoids with moderate oral bioavailability (20-35%). Sakuranetin and prunetin are absorbed in the small intestine with Tmax of 2-3 hours. Tannins may reduce absorption of co-administered nutrients. Lipid-based delivery or cyclodextrin inclusion complexes can improve flavonoid bioavailability by 40-60%.

Optimal Timing: After meals for general use. For menstrual health: begin 5-7 days before expected menses. For skin conditions: morning and evening with meals.

Standardized Extract: Padmaka heartwood extract (10:1) standardized to total flavonoids >4% (as sakuranetin). Aqueous extract with HPTLC fingerprint matching API reference standard.

Shelf Life: Heartwood powder: 24-36 months; Standardized extract: 24-36 months; Tablets/Capsules: 24-36 months

Storage: Store in airtight containers below 25 deg C, protected from light and moisture. Heartwood pieces can be stored longer (up to 5 years) in dry conditions.

Marker Compounds: Sakuranetin, Prunetin, Genistein, Naringenin, Taxifolin, Puddumin-A, Beta-sitosterol, Tannic acid

Extraction Methods

  • Hydroalcoholic extraction (50-70% ethanol)
  • Aqueous decoction
  • Methanol extraction for flavonoid isolation
  • Acetone-water extraction for polyphenol enrichment
  • Soxhlet extraction with ethanol

Synergistic Combinations

  • Ashoka (uterine health and menstrual regulation)
  • Lodhra (leucorrhea and gynecological health)
  • Chandana (cooling and complexion-enhancing)
  • Ushira (anti-inflammatory and cooling combination)
  • Manjistha (skin complexion and blood purification)

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. Jyotshna, Shanker K. 2025. An Insight Review on Phytochemistry, Pharmacological Evidences, and Biosynthesis of Key Metabolites of Indian Himalayan Cherry (Prunus cerasoides Don.) with Emphasis on its Safety and Use in Tradtional PhytomedicineChemistry & biodiversity. PMID 39552266 · doi:10.1002/cbdv.202401814

Laboratory and animal studies11

  1. Kooltheat N, Tedasen A, Yamasaki K and others. 2023. Melanogenesis Inhibitory Activity, Chemical Components and Molecular Docking Studies of Prunus cerasoides Buch.-Ham. D. Don. FlowersJournal of evidence-based integrative medicine. PMID 36740925 · doi:10.1177/2515690X231152928
  2. Sendri N, Bhandari P. 2021. Polyphenolic composition and antioxidant potential of underutilized Himalayan wild edible berries by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometryJournal of separation science. PMID 34633763 · doi:10.1002/jssc.202100455
  3. Kim SD, Kim M, Wu HH and others. 2021. Prunus cerasoides Extract and Its Component Compounds Upregulate Neuronal Neuroglobin Levels, Mediate Antioxidant Effects, and Ameliorate Functional Losses in the Mouse Model of Cerebral IschemiaAntioxidants (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 35052603 · doi:10.3390/antiox11010099
  4. Sachdeva C, Kumar S, Kaushik NK. 2021. Exploration of Anti-plasmodial Activity of Prunus cerasoides Buch.-Ham. ex D. Don (family: Rosaceae) and Its Wood Chromatographic FractionsActa parasitologica. PMID 32940831 · doi:10.1007/s11686-020-00272-5
  5. Kim SD, Kim Y, Kim M and others. 2020. Estrogenic properties of Prunus cerasoides extract and its constituents in MCF-7 cell and evaluation in estrogen-deprived rodent modelsPhytotherapy research : PTR. PMID 31908073 · doi:10.1002/ptr.6604
  6. Arora DS, Mahajan H. 2019. Major Phytoconstituents of Prunus cerasoides Responsible for Antimicrobial and Antibiofilm Potential Against Some Reference Strains of Pathogenic Bacteria and Clinical Isolates of MRSAApplied biochemistry and biotechnology. PMID 30854606 · doi:10.1007/s12010-019-02985-4
  7. Arora DS, Mahajan H. 2018. In Vitro Evaluation and Statistical Optimization of Antimicrobial Activity of Prunus cerasoides Stem BarkApplied biochemistry and biotechnology. PMID 28871479 · doi:10.1007/s12010-017-2571-8
  8. Sharma A, Joshi R, Kumar S and others. 2018. Prunus cerasoides fruit extract ameliorates inflammatory stress by modulation of iNOS pathway and Th1/Th2 immune homeostasis in activated murine macrophages and lymphocytesInflammopharmacology. PMID 29429000 · doi:10.1007/s10787-018-0448-2
  9. Seelan TV, Kumari HL, Kishore N and others. 2016. Exploitation of novel gum Prunus cerasoides as mucoadhesive beads for a controlled-release drug deliveryInternational journal of biological macromolecules. PMID 26772921 · doi:10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2016.01.007
  10. Malsawmtluangi C, Thanzami K, Lalhlenmawia H and others. 2014. Physicochemical characteristics and antioxidant activity of Prunus cerasoides D. Don gum exudatesInternational journal of biological macromolecules. PMID 24875319 · doi:10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2014.05.050
  11. Chandel V, Rana T, Hallan V and others. 2007. Wild Himalayan Cherry (Prunus cerasoides) as a Natural Host of Prunus necrotic ringspot virus in IndiaPlant disease. PMID 30780621 · doi:10.1094/PDIS-91-12-1686C

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