Saptaparna
Alstonia scholaris
Saptaparna (Alstonia scholaris) is a plant used in Ayurveda. Alkaloids are basic and well-absorbed in the alkaline environment of the small intestine. Extensive hepatic metabolism via CYP3A4 and CYP2D6. Tannins in the bark may partially inhibit alkaloid absorption if not separated.
| Botanical name | Alstonia scholaris |
|---|---|
| Family | Apocynaceae · other entries in this family |
| Order | Gentianales |
| Taxon identifiers | GBIF 5414410 · Wikidata Q135307 · NCBI Taxonomy 52822 |
Names and identification
| Language | Name |
|---|---|
| English | Saptaparna |
Ayurvedic pharmacology (Dravyaguna)
| Property | Value | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Rasa (Taste) | Tikta, Kashaya | Primary taste |
| Guna (Quality) | Laghu, Snigdha | Physical quality |
| Virya (Potency) | Ushna | Heating/Cooling effect |
| Vipaka (Post-digestive) | Katu | Post-digestive effect |
Dosage forms and preparation
Dosage Forms: Kwatha (decoction), Churna (powder), Ghana vati (solid extract tablet), Asava/Arishta, Capsule, Tincture
Standard Dosage: 3-6 g bark powder per day; 50-100 mL kwatha twice daily; 15-30 mL Saptaparnasava twice daily after meals
Bioavailability: Indole alkaloids (echitamine, alstonine) show moderate to good oral bioavailability (30-50%). Alkaloids are basic and well-absorbed in the alkaline environment of the small intestine. Extensive hepatic metabolism via CYP3A4 and CYP2D6. Tannins in the bark may partially inhibit alkaloid absorption if not separated.
Optimal Timing: After meals to reduce GI irritation from alkaloids; evening dose for antipyretic action (Jvaraghna)
Standardized Extract: Bark extract (10:1 DER in 60% ethanol), standardized to NLT 1.5% total alkaloids (as echitamine equivalents by HPLC); Ghana (solid aqueous extract) for traditional vati formulations
Shelf Life: 24 months for churna; 36 months for capsules and Ghana vati; indefinite for properly fermented Arishta
Storage: Store below 25 deg C in airtight, light-protected containers. Alkaloids are photolabile — use amber packaging. Arishta stored in glass or stainless steel vessels.
Marker Compounds: Echitamine, Alstonine, Venenatine, Picrinine, Scholaricine, Strictamine
Extraction Methods
- Aqueous decoction
- Hydroalcoholic extraction (60-70% ethanol)
- Acid-water extraction for alkaloid enrichment (0.1N HCl)
- Traditional Arishta fermentation (self-generated alcohol)
Synergistic Combinations
- Guduchi (antipyretic and immunomodulatory synergy)
- Kiratatikta (antimalarial formulations)
- Kutaja (antidiarrheal combinations)
- Neem (antimicrobial broad-spectrum formulations)
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.
Randomised controlled trials2
- 2021. The safety and tolerability of alkaloids from Alstonia scholaris leaves in healthy Chinese volunteers: a single-centre, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase I clinical trialPharmaceutical biology. PMID 33899689 · doi:10.1080/13880209.2021.1893349
- 2019. Pharmacokinetics and safety evaluation in healthy Chinese volunteers of alkaloids from leaf of Alstonia scholaris: A multiple doses phase I clinical trialPhytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology. PMID 31055046 · doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2019.152828
Other clinical studies and reviews7
- 2025. On the traditional medicinal plants and plant-derived natural drugs used by indigenous people of Nagaland, IndiaNatural product research. PMID 38372281 · doi:10.1080/14786419.2024.2315594
- 2023. Environmental impacts of air pollution and its abatement by plant species: A comprehensive reviewEnvironmental science and pollution research international. PMID 37322401 · doi:10.1007/s11356-023-28164-x
- 2021. Therapeutic potential of indole alkaloids in respiratory diseases: A comprehensive reviewPhytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology. PMID 34325978 · doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2021.153649
- 2019. The Alstoscholarisine Alkaloids: Isolation, Structure Determination, Biogenesis, Biological Evaluation, and SynthesisThe Alkaloids. Chemistry and biology. PMID 30685049 · doi:10.1016/bs.alkal.2018.09.001
- 2017. Allergen immunotherapy modulates sensitivity of Treg cells to apoptosis in a rat model of allergic asthmaImmunotherapy. PMID 29130799 · doi:10.2217/imt-2017-0038
- 2014. Alstonia scholaris (L.) R. Br. and Alstonia macrophylla Wall. ex G. Don: A comparative review on traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacologyJournal of ethnopharmacology. PMID 24486598 · doi:10.1016/j.jep.2014.01.025
- 2010. Alstonia scholaris Linn R Br in the treatment and prevention of cancer: past, present, and futureIntegrative cancer therapies. PMID 20702494 · doi:10.1177/1534735410376068
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