# Sarpagandha

> Sarpagandha (Rauvolfia serpentina (L.) Benth. ex Kurz) is a plant used in Ayurveda, from the Apocynaceae family. CITES Appendix II (trade regulation for conservation); IUCN Endangered status; WHO acknowledges traditional antihypertensive use; reserpine is on WHO Model List of Essential Medicines.

## Key facts

- **Botanical name:** Rauvolfia serpentina (L.) Benth. ex Kurz
- **Family:** Apocynaceae
- **Pharmacopoeia status:** CITES Appendix II (trade regulation for conservation); IUCN Endangered status; WHO acknowledges traditional antihypertensive use; reserpine is on WHO Model List of Essential Medicines

## Names and identification

| Language | Name |
|----------|------|
| English | Sarpagandha |
| Latin/Botanical | *Rauvolfia serpentina (L.) Benth. ex Kurz* |

## Key Phytochemical Constituents

- Reserpine
- Ajmaline
- [Ajmalicine](/glossary/compounds-1-a/#ajmalicine) (raubasine)
- Serpentine
- Yohimbine
- Rescinnamine
- Deserpidine
- Serpentinine

## How does it work?

- Antihypertensive: Reserpine irreversibly inhibits vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2), depleting catecholamine (norepinephrine, dopamine) stores in sympathetic nerve terminals, reducing peripheral vascular resistance
- Sedative/Antipsychotic: Central depletion of monoamines (dopamine, [serotonin](/glossary/compounds-q-t/#serotonin), norepinephrine) produces tranquilizing effect; historically used before synthetic antipsychotics
- Anti-arrhythmic: Ajmaline blocks sodium channels (Class Ia antiarrhythmic), prolonging cardiac action potential and effective refractory period

## Which traditional uses are supported by research?

- Antihypertensive use (Raktachapa-hara) extensively validated; reserpine was one of the first effective antihypertensive drugs used in Western medicine
- Sedative and [anxiolytic](/reference/anxiolytic/) use (Nidrajanana) confirmed through VMAT2 inhibition and central monoamine depletion mechanism
- Anti-arrhythmic use validated: ajmaline is still used clinically in the Ajmaline test for diagnosis of Brugada syndrome

## What do recent clinical trials show?



*3 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

- Serious adverse effects at high doses: depression (from central monoamine depletion), severe hypotension, bradycardia, nasal congestion, and sedation; contraindicated in patients with history of depression
- Contraindicated during pregnancy (may cause neonatal respiratory depression); interactions with MAO inhibitors, barbiturates, and other CNS depressants; requires close medical supervision

## What is it made of?

### Key Active Markers

- Ajmalicine
- Reserpine
- Ajmaline
- 
- Serpentine
- Yohimbine
- Rescinnamine
- Deserpidine
- Serpentinine

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

## Dosage forms and preparation

**Dosage Forms:** Vati (tablet), Churna (powder), Capsule, Tincture (mother tincture), Ghana vati (solid extract tablet), Sustained-release tablet

**Standard Dosage:** 250-500 mg root powder per day; 2-4 mg reserpine equivalent per day in standardized extract form. Must be used under medical supervision due to potent hypotensive action.

**Bioavailability:** Reserpine has high oral bioavailability (50-70%) with slow onset (days to weeks for full antihypertensive effect). Ajmaline shows moderate bioavailability (30-45%). Alkaloids are lipophilic bases with good intestinal absorption. Extensive hepatic metabolism generates active metabolites. Long biological half-life (45-168 hours for reserpine) due to tight binding to vesicular monoamine transporter.

**Optimal Timing:** Evening/bedtime dosing preferred for antihypertensive use; always with food to reduce GI side effects

**Standardized Extract:** Standardized root extract (10:1), standardized to NLT 1.0% total alkaloids (as reserpine equivalents by HPLC); individual alkaloid specifications: reserpine NLT 0.15%, ajmaline NLT 0.2%

**Shelf Life:** 36 months for standardized extract tablets in aluminum blisters; 24 months for churna

**Storage:** Store below 25 deg C in airtight, light-protected containers. Reserpine is photolabile — amber glass or aluminum blister packaging mandatory. Controlled substance storage may apply per local regulations.

**Marker Compounds:** Reserpine, Ajmaline, Ajmalicine (raubasine), Serpentine, Yohimbine, Deserpidine

### Extraction Methods

- Hydroalcoholic extraction (70% ethanol for total alkaloid enrichment)
- Acid-water extraction (0.5% tartaric acid) for alkaloid isolation
- Column chromatography for individual alkaloid purification
- Traditional aqueous decoction (lower alkaloid yield)

### Synergistic Combinations

- [Jatamansi](/herb/jatamansi/) (antihypertensive synergy with anxiolytic benefit)
- [Shankhpushpi](/herb/shankhpushpi/) (calming and blood pressure-lowering combination)
- [Brahmi](/herb/brahmi/) (cognitive support with anti-anxiety action)
- [Arjuna](/herb/arjuna/) (comprehensive cardiovascular formulation)

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

## 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.