Age Ayurveda Nighantu

Prasarini

Paederia foetida L.

Prasarini (Paederia foetida L.) is a plant used in Ayurveda, from the Rubiaceae family. Documented in Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India; recognized in WHO SEARO traditional medicine inventories; used in multiple Asian traditional medicine systems.

Key facts
Botanical namePaederia foetida L.
FamilyRubiaceae · other entries in this family
OrderGentianales
Pharmacopoeia statusDocumented in Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India; recognized in WHO SEARO traditional medicine inventories; used in multiple Asian traditional medicine systems
Taxon identifiersGBIF 2909527 · Wikidata Q1209690 · NCBI Taxonomy 60087

Names and identification

LanguageName
EnglishPrasarini
Latin/BotanicalPaederia foetida L.

Key Phytochemical Constituents

  • Asperuloside (iridoid glycoside)
  • Paederoside
  • Paederosidic acid
  • Scandoside
  • Ursolic acid
  • Ellagic acid
  • Stigmasterol
  • Sitosterols

How does it work?

  • Anti-inflammatory: Iridoid glycosides (asperuloside, paederoside) inhibit NF-kB pathway and reduce pro-inflammatory cytokine production (TNF-alpha, IL-1beta)
  • Antinociceptive: Ursolic acid and iridoids act on central and peripheral pain pathways, inhibiting PGE2 synthesis and modulating opioid receptors
  • Gastroprotective: Enhances mucosal PGE2 production, increases gastric mucus layer thickness, and reduces HCl secretion through H+/K+-ATPase inhibition

Which traditional uses are supported by research?

  • Anti-rheumatic use (Vatahara) validated through anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity in carrageenan and formalin models
  • Antidiarrheal use confirmed by reduction of gastrointestinal motility and fluid accumulation in castor oil-induced diarrhea model
  • Gastroprotective use validated by PGE2-mediated increase in gastric mucus secretion and ulcer protection

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

  • Traditionally consumed as a vegetable in Northeast India with a good safety record; acute toxicity studies show no mortality at 2000 mg/kg in rodents
  • Foetid odor (from sulfur-containing compounds) may cause nausea in some individuals; limited data on chronic toxicity and drug interactions

What is it made of?

Mineral/Elemental Profile

  • Primary component: Mercury-based preparation (Parada) with herbal processing
  • Note: Restricted use — requires strict Shodhana protocols and expert supervision

Analytical Methods: AAS/ICP-MS (heavy metals), XRD, Namburi phased spot test

Dosage forms and preparation

Dosage Forms: Taila (medicated oil), Churna, Kwatha (decoction), Capsule, Tablet, Ghrita, Lepa (paste)

Standard Dosage: 3-6 g powder daily; 20-30 mL decoction twice daily; 500-750 mg standardized extract twice daily; Prasarini Taila for external massage

Bioavailability: Paederia foetida (Prasarini) alkaloids show moderate oral bioavailability (25-40%). Iridoid glycosides (paederoside, asperuloside) are hydrolyzed by intestinal enzymes releasing aglycones with improved membrane permeability. Volatile sulfur compounds (methyl mercaptan, dimethyl disulfide) responsible for the characteristic odor are rapidly absorbed but also rapidly eliminated. Topical oil formulation provides sustained local delivery for musculoskeletal conditions.

Optimal Timing: Oral: after meals to reduce odor-related nausea. Prasarini Taila: warm oil massage before bath, or at bedtime for joint conditions. Ghrita: early morning on empty stomach for Vata conditions.

Standardized Extract: Prasarini whole herb extract (6:1) standardized to paederoside >1%, asperuloside >0.8%, total iridoids >3%. Taila: prepared per API with sesame oil base, validated organoleptic and physicochemical parameters.

Shelf Life: Dried herb: 12-18 months; Churna: 12-18 months; Extract: 24 months; Taila: 24-36 months; Capsules: 24 months

Storage: Dried herb: airtight (odor containment critical), below 25 deg C. Taila: amber glass, room temperature. Capsules: blister packaging to contain odor. All forms: protect from moisture and light.

Marker Compounds: Paederoside, Asperuloside, Paederosidic acid, Ursolic acid, Oleanolic acid, Sitosterol, Stigmasterol, Methyl mercaptan (volatile marker)

Extraction Methods

  • Hydroalcoholic extraction (50-70% ethanol)
  • Aqueous decoction
  • Traditional Taila Paka (oil cooking) with sesame oil
  • Steam distillation for volatile sulfur compounds
  • Methanol extraction for iridoid profiling
  • Ghrita Paka for ghee-based preparation

Synergistic Combinations

  • Nirgundi (musculoskeletal pain and Vata disorders)
  • Bala (nerve and muscle strength combination)
  • Rasna (rheumatic conditions - Maharasnadi Kwatha)
  • Ashwagandha (strength and recovery)
  • Eranda Taila (joint mobility and inflammation)
  • Dashmool (comprehensive Vata management)

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 reviews3

  1. Dwivedi J, Wal P, Wagh VD and others. 2025. Paederia Foetida Linn (Rubiaceae): Chemical Diversity, Phytopharmacological Potential, Quantitative Analysis and Clinical ApproachesCombinatorial chemistry & high throughput screening. PMID 39781725 · doi:10.2174/0113862073314773241115100620
  2. Sarma MK, Saha D, Das BK and others. 2023. A delve into the pharmacological targets and biological mechanisms of Paederia foetida Linn.: a rather invaluable traditional medicinal plantNaunyn-Schmiedeberg's archives of pharmacology. PMID 37099165 · doi:10.1007/s00210-023-02496-4
  3. Wang L, Jiang Y, Han T and others. 2014. A phytochemical, pharmacological and clinical profile of Paederia foetida and P. scandensNatural product communications. PMID 25115105

Laboratory and animal studies9

  1. Lang J, Xiong Z. 2025. Protective effects of paederoside in rotenone-induced cellular models of Parkinson's diseaseFrontiers in cell and developmental biology. PMID 40852586 · doi:10.3389/fcell.2025.1631652
  2. Phankhieo S, Laoung-On J, Quiggins R and others. 2025. Antioxidant Activity of Paederia foetida Linn. Leaf Extract and Its Effect on Bovine Sperm QualityVeterinary sciences. PMID 40872725 · doi:10.3390/vetsci12080775
  3. Santajit S, Thavorasak T, Horpet D and others. 2025. Phytochemical inhibition of quorum sensing and biofilm formation by Paederia foetida Linn. against multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii: An integrated in vitro and in silico investigationVeterinary world. PMID 41064837 · doi:10.14202/vetworld.2025.2181-2193
  4. Pakaprot N, Khamphaya T, Kwankaew P and others. 2024. Neuroprotective effects of Paederia foetida Linn. on scopolamine-induced cognitive impairment in ratsVeterinary world. PMID 39507784 · doi:10.14202/vetworld.2024.1972-1982
  5. Luo B, Hu Q, Lai K and others. 2021. Ethnoveterinary Survey Conducted in Baiku Yao Communities in Southwest ChinaFrontiers in veterinary science. PMID 35146017 · doi:10.3389/fvets.2021.813737
  6. Kim HB, Won KJ, Kim DY and others. 2020. Stimulatory Effects of Paederia foetida Flower Absolute on the Skin Wound and Barrier Repair Activities of KeratinocytesChemistry & biodiversity. PMID 32889769 · doi:10.1002/cbdv.202000506
  7. Pradhan N, Parbin S, Kausar C and others. 2019. Paederia foetida induces anticancer activity by modulating chromatin modification enzymes and altering pro-inflammatory cytokine gene expression in human prostate cancer cellsFood and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association. PMID 31112703 · doi:10.1016/j.fct.2019.05.016
  8. Borgohain MP, Chowdhury L, Ahmed S and others. 2017. Renoprotective and antioxidative effects of methanolic Paederia foetida leaf extract on experimental diabetic nephropathy in ratsJournal of ethnopharmacology. PMID 28111217 · doi:10.1016/j.jep.2017.01.035
  9. Chanda S, Deb L, Tiwari RK and others. 2015. Gastroprotective mechanism of Paederia foetida Linn. (Rubiaceae)--a popular edible plant used by the tribal community of North-East IndiaBMC complementary and alternative medicine. PMID 26335308 · doi:10.1186/s12906-015-0831-0

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