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Prishniparni

Uraria picta (Jacq.) DC.

Prishniparni (Uraria picta (Jacq.) DC.) is a plant drug, from the Fabaceae (Leguminosae) family. Not individually listed in WHO monographs; recognized as a key component of Dashamoola in Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India.

Key facts
Botanical nameUraria picta (Jacq.) DC.
FamilyFabaceae (Leguminosae) · other entries in this family
OrderFabales
Pharmacopoeia statusNot individually listed in WHO monographs; recognized as a key component of Dashamoola in Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India
Taxon identifiersGBIF 2956572 · Wikidata Q15240197 · NCBI Taxonomy 1034059

The evidence at a glance

11papers on this site for this drug, published 1964 to 2025, 9 with a DOI.

  • 11Laboratory and animal studies

A count is not a conclusion and a tier is a study design, not a verdict. Everything listed here is laboratory or animal work, which does not show an effect in people.true See the research index for how papers are tiered.

Names and identification

LanguageName
EnglishPrishniparni
Latin/BotanicalUraria picta (Jacq.) DC.

Key Phytochemical Constituents

How does it work?

  • Cardioprotective action through modulation of oxidative stress markers and improvement of cardiac enzyme profiles
  • Anti-inflammatory activity mediated by inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokines and mediators, supporting its role in Dashamoola formulation
  • Hepatoprotective mechanism involving enhancement of liver antioxidant enzyme systems (SOD, CAT, GPx) and reduction of lipid peroxidation

Which traditional uses are supported by research?

These summaries come from the source notes, which do not name the studies behind them.

  • Traditionally used for Shotha (edema/inflammation). Animal studies have reported anti-inflammatory activity.
  • Preclinical studies have reported improvement in cardiac biomarkers.
  • Traditionally used on wounds. Experimental studies have reported wound healing activity.

What do recent studies show?

No study for this section could be traced to a published paper. An absence here means we could not identify the source, not that no work exists.

Recent safety updates

  • Generally considered safe when used as part of traditional Dashamoola formulations at recommended Ayurvedic doses; no significant toxicity reported in available literature
  • Limited modern toxicological studies available; long-term safety data in humans needs further investigation through controlled clinical trials

What is it made of?

Key Active Markers

  • Flavonoids
  • Isoflavones
  • Glycosides
  • Alkaloids
  • Steroids
  • Terpenoids
  • Saponins
  • Tannins

Dosage forms and preparation

Dosage Forms: Churna (powder), Kwatha (decoction), Capsule, Tablet, Ghrita, Taila

Standard Dosage: 3-6 g whole herb powder daily; 20-30 mL decoction twice daily; 500-750 mg standardized extract twice daily

Optimal Timing: As part of Dashmool Kwatha: morning and evening between meals. Single herb: after meals with warm water for Vata disorders.

Storage: Dried material: airtight containers, below 25 deg C, RH <55%, protected from pest infestation. Extracts: amber containers, cool and dry.

Marker Compounds: Uraripictin, Genistein, Daidzein, Medicarpin, Beta-sitosterol, Lupeol, Oleanolic acid, Gallic acid

Synergistic Combinations

  • Dashmool combination (key member of Laghu Panchamool group)
  • Shalaparni (paired herb in Dashmool formulation)
  • Bilva (anti-inflammatory and digestive synergy)
  • Ashwagandha (strength and recovery)
  • Guduchi (fever management 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.

Laboratory and animal studies11

  1. Sheikh S, Mungole AJ, Bhat AR and others. 2025. Sustainable plant mediated synthesis of cobalt oxide nanoparticles using Uraria picta extract with enhanced biological activityScientific reports. PMID 41339415 · doi:10.1038/s41598-025-28596-0
  2. Prasad P, Aftab N, Kishor R and others. 2022. Quantification of genetic variability and stable genotype selection over the years in the germplasm of critically endangered Prishanparni (Uraria picta Desv.)Environmental geochemistry and health. PMID 34994919 · doi:10.1007/s10653-021-01198-1
  3. Arka G, Anindita K, Ankit S and others. 2015. Preliminary evaluation of hepatoprotective potential of the polyherbal formulationJournal of intercultural ethnopharmacology. PMID 26401397 · doi:10.5455/jice.20141121060725
  4. Oyesiku OO, Okusanya OT, Olowokudejo JD. 2013. Morphological and anatomical investigations into the mechanism of leaf pair unrolling in Uraria picta (Jacq.) Desv. Ex DC. (Papilionaceae), a medicinal plant in NigeriaAfrican journal of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicines : AJTCAM. PMID 24146515 · doi:10.4314/ajtcam.v10i4.23
  5. Patil B, Patel B, Pandya P and others. 2013. Pharmacognostical and preliminary phytochemical evaluation of Alysicarpus longifolius W. and A. ProdrAyu. PMID 24250137 · doi:10.4103/0974-8520.119689
  6. Aparna S, Ved DK, Lalitha S and others. 2012. Botanical identity of plant sources of Daśamūla drugs through an analysis of published literatureAncient science of life. PMID 23929986 · doi:10.4103/0257-7941.113790
  7. Rai SK, Sharma M, Jain M and others. 2010. Rapid in vitro production of cloned plants of Uraria picta (Jacq.) DC-A rare medicinal herb in long-term cultureApplied biochemistry and biotechnology. PMID 20473583 · doi:10.1007/s12010-010-8970-8
  8. Rahman MM, Gibbons S, Gray AI. 2007. Isoflavanones from Uraria picta and their antimicrobial activityPhytochemistry. PMID 17540419 · doi:10.1016/j.phytochem.2007.04.015
  9. Igboechi AC, Osazuwa EO, Igwe UE. 1989. Laboratory evaluation of the acaricidal properties of extracts from Uraria picta (Leguminosae)Journal of ethnopharmacology. PMID 2615410 · doi:10.1016/0378-8741(89)90102-5
  10. Prasad G, Sankaran PS, Deshpande PJ. 1965. Studies on fracture healing by using radioactive P-32 and Ca-45 under the influence of Uraria pictaThe Indian journal of medical research. PMID 5827508
  11. PRASAD G, SANKARAN PS, DESHANDE PJ. 1964. EFFECT OF URARIA PICTA ON FRACTURE HEALING: TENSILE STRENGTH AND STRONTIUM 85 UPTAKE STUDIESJournal of experimental medical sciences. PMID 14277445

Reference lists that include it

Family: Fabaceae, Flavonoids, Gallic acid, Lupeol, Oleanolic acid, Saponins, Tannins

Reviewed by Dr. Awadesh Pratap Singh, BAMS, on 11 October 2026. What that review covered.

Consult a qualified vaidya before acting on anything here. Ayurvedic practice is prescribed to a person, not to a condition: the same dravya is given, withheld or substituted depending on your constitution, your agni, the season and what else you are already taking. A page cannot know any of that. Self-prescribing from a reference is how the wrong preparation, the wrong dose or the wrong anupana gets used.

Educational reference only. Nothing on this page is medical advice, a diagnosis, or a recommendation to take anything. Traditional uses and research findings are reported as published, not as claims about what any product does. If you take prescribed medication, raise any interaction with the prescriber rather than acting on a page. See our editorial standards.