Satyanashi
Argemone mexicana
Satyanashi (Argemone mexicana) is a plant used in Ayurveda. Use cautiously — latex is toxic in large doses. Bioavailability: Isoquinoline alkaloids (sanguinarine, berberine) show moderate oral bioavailability (25-40%). Sanguinarine undergoes extensive hepatic metabolism.
| Botanical name | Argemone mexicana |
|---|---|
| Family | Papaveraceae · other entries in this family |
| Order | Ranunculales |
| Taxon identifiers | GBIF 2888485 · Wikidata Q683404 · NCBI Taxonomy 54796 |
Names and identification
| Language | Name |
|---|---|
| English | Satyanashi |
Ayurvedic pharmacology (Dravyaguna)
| Property | Value | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Rasa (Taste) | Tikta | Primary taste |
| Guna (Quality) | Laghu, Ruksha | Physical quality |
| Virya (Potency) | Ushna | Heating/Cooling effect |
| Vipaka (Post-digestive) | Katu | Post-digestive effect |
Dosage forms and preparation
Dosage Forms: Churna (powder), Kwatha (decoction), Swarasa (fresh juice), Taila (seed oil), Capsule, Lepa (external paste)
Standard Dosage: 1-3 g root/whole plant powder per day; 5-10 mL seed oil externally; 50-100 mL kwatha twice daily. Use cautiously — latex is toxic in large doses.
Bioavailability: Isoquinoline alkaloids (sanguinarine, berberine) show moderate oral bioavailability (25-40%). Sanguinarine undergoes extensive hepatic metabolism. Seed oil fatty acids (linoleic, oleic) have high bioavailability (>70%). Argemone oil must be distinguished from mustard oil — adulteration causes epidemic dropsy.
Optimal Timing: External applications: twice daily on affected areas. Internal use (where permitted): after meals under medical supervision
Standardized Extract: Root extract (8:1 in 70% ethanol), standardized to NLT 0.5% total isoquinoline alkaloids (as sanguinarine equivalents by HPLC); seed oil cold-pressed, standardized to fatty acid profile by GC
Shelf Life: 18 months for seed oil; 24 months for churna; 30 months for external formulation products
Storage: Store below 25 deg C. Seed oil in amber glass bottles, nitrogen-flushed. Keep away from food products to prevent accidental contamination. Clearly label as NOT FOR INTERNAL USE (for oil preparations).
Marker Compounds: Sanguinarine, Dihydrosanguinarine, Berberine, Protopine, Argemone oil (fatty acid profile: linoleic acid >55%)
Extraction Methods
- Hydroalcoholic extraction (60-70% ethanol) for alkaloids
- Cold pressing for seed oil
- Acid-water extraction for alkaloid enrichment
- Aqueous decoction of roots
- Soxhlet with chloroform-methanol for total alkaloid extract
Synergistic Combinations
- Haridra (antimicrobial-anti-inflammatory synergy for skin conditions)
- Neem (dermatological formulations)
- Karanja (external antimicrobial applications)
- Snuhi (latex-based formulations for warts — external only)
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 reviews2
- 2018. Assessing the risk of epidemic dropsy from black salve useJournal of applied toxicology : JAT. PMID 29603306 · doi:10.1002/jat.3619
- 2016. Berberine and Its Role in Chronic DiseaseAdvances in experimental medicine and biology. PMID 27671811 · doi:10.1007/978-3-319-41334-1_2
Laboratory and animal studies10
- 2024. Assessment of Anticancer Properties of Argemone mexicana L. and Berberine: A Comparative StudyPlants (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 38794444 · doi:10.3390/plants13101374
- 2023. Synthesis and biological evaluation of Argemone mexicana-inspired antimicrobialsBeilstein journal of organic chemistry. PMID 37799174 · doi:10.3762/bjoc.19.108
- 2023. Phytotoxicity of Extracts of Argemone mexicana and Crotalaria longirostrata on Tomato Seedling PhysiologyPlants (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 38005753 · doi:10.3390/plants12223856
- 2021. Effect of Argemone mexicana on Local Edema and LPS-Induced NeuroinflammationChemistry & biodiversity. PMID 33527713 · doi:10.1002/cbdv.202000790
- 2017. Argemone mexicana: A Boon to Medicinal and Pharmacological Approaches in Current ScenarioCardiovascular & hematological agents in medicinal chemistry. PMID 28875834 · doi:10.2174/1871525715666170830130155
- 2017. Berberine from Argemone mexicana L exhibits a broadspectrum antibacterial activityActa biochimica Polonica. PMID 29232416 · doi:10.18388/abp.2017_1621
- 2016. Antifungal and Anticancer Potential of Argemone mexicana LMedicines (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 28930138 · doi:10.3390/medicines3040028
- 2016. Argemone oil induces genotoxicity in miceDrug and chemical toxicology. PMID 26757781 · doi:10.3109/01480545.2015.1135339
- 2012. Alkaloids and flavonoids of Argemone mexicanaNatural product research. PMID 21722040 · doi:10.1080/14786419.2010.529809
- 2008. Induction of hepatotoxicity by sanguinarine is associated with oxidation of protein thiols and disturbance of mitochondrial respirationJournal of applied toxicology : JAT. PMID 18548746 · doi:10.1002/jat.1360
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