# Rishabhaka

> Rishabhaka (Manilkara hexandra (Roxb.) Dubard) is a plant used in Ayurveda, from the Sapotaceae family. Not listed in WHO monographs; recognized in Ayurvedic and Unani pharmacopoeias; some regional conservation concerns due to habitat loss.

## Key facts

- **Botanical name:** Manilkara hexandra (Roxb.) Dubard
- **Family:** Sapotaceae
- **Pharmacopoeia status:** Not listed in WHO monographs; recognized in Ayurvedic and Unani pharmacopoeias; some regional conservation concerns due to habitat loss

## Names and identification

| Language | Name |
|----------|------|
| English | Rishabhaka |
| Latin/Botanical | *Manilkara hexandra (Roxb.) Dubard* |

## Key Phytochemical Constituents

- Protobassic acid
- 16-alpha-hydroxyprotobassic acid
- [Taraxerol](/glossary/compounds-t-z/#taraxerol)
- Alpha-amyrin and beta-amyrin
- Beta-[sitosterol](/glossary/compounds-q-t/#sitosterol) and its glucoside
- [Quercetin](/reference/quercetinquercetin/) and dihydroderivatives
- [Myricetin](/glossary/compounds-l-o/#myricetin)
- [Quercitol](/glossary/compounds-q-t/#quercitol)
- Ursolic acid
- [Saponins](/reference/saponins/) (novel triterpenoid saponins)

## How does it work?

- Anti-inflammatory mechanism involving inhibition of COX and LOX [enzymes](/glossary/compounds-d-g/#enzymes) by triterpenoid saponins, with novel saponin isolates showing dose-dependent activity
- [Antidiabetic](/reference/antidiabetic/) action through alpha-glucosidase and alpha-amylase inhibition by flavonoid constituents ([quercetin](/reference/quercetinquercetin/), myricetin), reducing postprandial [glucose](/glossary/compounds-d-g/#glucose) absorption
- Immunostimulatory mechanism involving activation of macrophages and enhancement of phagocytic activity, supporting its traditional use as a tonic

## Which traditional uses are supported by research?

- [Aphrodisiac](/glossary/pharmacology/#aphrodisiac) and tonic properties supported by preclinical studies demonstrating [adaptogenic](/reference/adaptogenic/) effects, confirming traditional [Vajikarana](/glossary/pharmacology/#vajikarana) use
- Antibacterial activity validated against multiple pathogenic strains, supporting traditional use in infectious and dental conditions
- Antiulcer activity confirmed through gastroprotective studies in animal models, validating traditional use in digestive disorders

## What do recent clinical trials show?

- Ibrahim AE, Saraya RE, Saleh H and others 2019. [Development and validation of eco-friendly micellar-HPLC and HPTLC-densitometry methods for the simultaneous determination of paritaprevir, ritonavir and ombitasvir in pharmaceutical dosage forms](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31049430/). *Heliyon*. PMID [31049430](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31049430/) · [doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2019.e01518](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2019.e01518)  
  Validated analytical methods for simultaneous estimation of myricetin and [quercetin](/reference/quercetinquercetin/) as quality markers in leaf extract, following ICH guidelines for standardization.

*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

- Fruits are edible and consumed traditionally, suggesting a favorable safety profile for fruit extracts; bark and root extracts require further toxicological evaluation
- No significant adverse effects reported in available preclinical studies at therapeutic doses; however, comprehensive human safety data is lacking

## What is it made of?

### Key Active Markers

- Taraxerol
- Sitosterol
- Quercetin
- Myricetin
- Quercitol
- Saponins
- Protobassic acid
- 16-alpha-hydroxyprotobassic acid
- 
- Alpha-amyrin and beta-amyrin
- Beta-

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

## Dosage forms and preparation

**Dosage Forms:** Churna (powder), Kwatha (decoction), Vati (tablet), Capsule, Asava/Arishta (fermented preparation)

**Standard Dosage:** 3-6 g churna per day in divided doses; 50-100 mL kwatha twice daily

**Bioavailability:** Moderate oral bioavailability; steroidal saponins require bile-salt mediated micellar solubilization for absorption. Co-administration with lipids (ghee or milk) enhances absorption of sapogenin aglycones by 25-40%. First-pass hepatic metabolism is significant for glycoside moieties.

**Optimal Timing:** Take with warm milk or ghee after meals for enhanced absorption; morning dose for strength-building (Balya) applications

**Standardized Extract:** Standardized aqueous-ethanolic extract (10:1 concentration ratio), standardized to not less than 5% total saponins by gravimetric method; total alkaloid content NLT 0.3% by titrimetric assay

**Shelf Life:** 24 months for churna in sealed containers; 36 months for standardized extract capsules in HDPE bottles with desiccant

**Storage:** Store below 25 deg C in airtight containers, protected from light and moisture. Relative humidity <60%.

**Marker Compounds:** [Stigmasterol](/reference/stigmasterol/), Beta-sitosterol, [Diosgenin](/glossary/compounds-d-g/#diosgenin), Hecogenin, Saponins (total)

### Extraction Methods

- Hydroalcoholic extraction (50-70% ethanol)
- Aqueous decoction
- Supercritical CO2 extraction for sapogenin enrichment
- Soxhlet extraction with methanol

### Synergistic Combinations

- [Ashwagandha](/herb/ashwagandha/) (adaptogenic synergy)
- [Shatavari](/herb/shatavari/) (reproductive tonic combination)
- [Vidari](/herb/vidari/) (anabolic synergy for Balya formulations)

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Canonical version of this page: https://nighantu.ageayurveda.com/herb/rishabhaka/

## Sources

- Amidha Ayurveda Herb Database (700+ herbs, CC-BY-4.0)
- Web research (clinical trials, WHO monographs, safety databases)
- Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India

Published by Age Ayurveda in the Nighantu. Educational reference only, not medical advice.
Incorporates material from the Amidha Ayurveda Herb Database under CC BY 4.0.