Age Ayurveda Nighantu

Shalparni

Desmodium gangeticum (L.) DC.

Shalparni (Desmodium gangeticum (L.) DC.) is a plant used in Ayurveda, from the Fabaceae (Leguminosae) family. Not individually listed in WHO monographs; recognized in Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India as a key Dashamoola ingredient.

Key facts
Botanical nameDesmodium gangeticum (L.) DC.
FamilyFabaceae (Leguminosae) · other entries in this family
OrderFabales
Pharmacopoeia statusNot individually listed in WHO monographs; recognized in Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India as a key Dashamoola ingredient
Taxon identifiersGBIF 11440699 · Wikidata Q3595474 · NCBI Taxonomy 670324

Names and identification

LanguageName
EnglishShalparni
Latin/BotanicalDesmodium gangeticum (L.) DC.

Key Phytochemical Constituents

How does it work?

  • Anti-inflammatory action mediated through inhibition of COX-2 and LOX pathways, with pterocarpans acting as key anti-inflammatory agents
  • Cardioprotective mechanism involving antioxidant defense enhancement and reduction of myocardial oxidative damage
  • Hepatoprotective activity through stabilization of hepatocyte membranes and restoration of liver enzyme levels (SGOT, SGPT, ALP)

Which traditional uses are supported by research?

  • Anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties validated through multiple preclinical models, confirming its traditional use in pain and swelling
  • Antidiabetic activity supported by in vivo studies showing blood glucose reduction, validating its use in Prameha (diabetes management)
  • Antimicrobial properties confirmed against multiple bacterial and fungal strains, supporting its traditional use in infectious conditions

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

  • Considered safe at traditional Ayurvedic doses as a component of Dashamoola and Laghupanchamoola formulations; no significant adverse effects reported in available studies
  • Classified as an endangered medicinal species; sustainable sourcing and conservation efforts are recommended to prevent overexploitation

What is it made of?

Key Active Markers

  • Kaempferol
  • Quercetin
  • Phospholipids
  • Glycosides
  • Sitosterol
  • Gangetinin
  • Gangetin
  • Desmodin
  • N
  • Flavone

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

Dosage forms and preparation

Dosage Forms: Churna (powder), Kwatha (decoction), Capsule, Ghana vati, Asava (fermented preparation), Taila (medicated oil)

Standard Dosage: 3-6 g root powder per day; 50-100 mL kwatha twice daily; 500-1000 mg extract capsule twice daily; 15-30 mL asava after meals

Bioavailability: Pterocarpan and isoflavonoid constituents show moderate bioavailability (25-40%). Lipophilic pterocarpans benefit from lipid-based delivery. First-pass metabolism is moderate. Isoflavonoids undergo glucuronidation in the intestinal wall and liver.

Optimal Timing: After meals; traditionally used as part of Dashmool kwatha taken warm for Vata disorders

Standardized Extract: Aqueous-ethanolic root extract (6:1), standardized to NLT 1.5% total isoflavonoids (as genistein equivalents by HPLC); Dashmool combined extract as per API specifications

Shelf Life: 24 months for churna; 36 months for capsules; indefinite for properly prepared asava/arishta

Storage: Store below 25 deg C in airtight containers, protected from light and moisture. Asava in glass bottles.

Marker Compounds: Gangetin, Desmodin, Genistein, Pterocarpan, Beta-sitosterol, Lupeol

Extraction Methods

  • Aqueous decoction (traditional for Dashmool)
  • Hydroalcoholic extraction (60% ethanol)
  • Self-generated alcoholic fermentation (Asava)
  • Cold maceration for heat-labile constituents

Synergistic Combinations

  • Dashmool components (classical 10-root anti-inflammatory formulation)
  • Bilva (Vatahara combinations)
  • Prisniparni (paired herb in Laghupanchamula)
  • Shyonaka (Brihat Panchamula formulations)
  • Bala (anti-inflammatory and nervine combinations)

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 reviews5

  1. Das M, Molla SA, Debnath S and others. 2026. A brief review on chemoprofling and pharmacological potential of Desmodium gangeticum (L.) DCNatural product research. PMID 39865705 · doi:10.1080/14786419.2025.2455458
  2. Mehla J, Gupta P, Pahuja M and others. 2020. Indian Medicinal Herbs and Formulations for Alzheimer's Disease, from Traditional Knowledge to Scientific AssessmentBrain sciences. PMID 33321899 · doi:10.3390/brainsci10120964
  3. Rastogi S, Pandey MM, Rawat AK. 2011. An ethnomedicinal, phytochemical and pharmacological profile of Desmodium gangeticum (L.) DC. and Desmodium adscendens (Sw.) DCJournal of ethnopharmacology. PMID 21530632 · doi:10.1016/j.jep.2011.04.031
  4. Govindarajan R, Vijayakumar M, Rao ChV and others. 2007. Antiinflammatory and antioxidant activities of Desmodium gangeticum fractions in carrageenan-induced inflamed ratsPhytotherapy research : PTR. PMID 17604372 · doi:10.1002/ptr.2199
  5. Rathi A, Rao ChV, Ravishankar B and others. 2004. Anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive activity of the water decoction Desmodium gangeticumJournal of ethnopharmacology. PMID 15507346 · doi:10.1016/j.jep.2004.07.009

Laboratory and animal studies7

  1. Singh V, Singh R, Singh MP and others. 2024. Therapeutic Role of Desmodium Species on its Isolated FlavonoidsCurrent molecular medicine. PMID 36515031 · doi:10.2174/1566524023666221213111851
  2. Chen YF, Lu YH, Tsai HY. 2022. Crude extract of Desmodium gangeticum process anticancer activity via arresting cell cycle in G1 and modulating cell cycle-related protein expression in A549 human lung carcinoma cellsBioMedicine. PMID 35836974 · doi:10.37796/2211-8039.1362
  3. Meena AK, Motiwale M, Ilavarasan R and others. 2022. Evaluation of Substitution of Small Branches with Roots of Desmodium gangeticum (Physicochemical Analysis, HPLC, and GC-MS Profiling) and In Silico Study of Pterocarpans for Pharmacological TargetApplied biochemistry and biotechnology. PMID 34792750 · doi:10.1007/s12010-021-03696-5
  4. Mohan PK, Adarsh Krishna TP, Senthil Kumar T and others. 2021. Pharmaco-chemical profiling of Desmodium gangeticum (L.) DC. with special reference to soil chemistryFuture journal of pharmaceutical sciences. PMID 34692854 · doi:10.1186/s43094-021-00356-7
  5. Vaghela BD, Patel BR, Pandya PN. 2012. A comparative pharmacognostical profile of Desmodium gangeticum DC. and Desmodium laxiflorum DCAyu. PMID 23723675 · doi:10.4103/0974-8520.110522
  6. Govindarajan R, Asare-Anane H, Persaud S and others. 2007. Effect of Desmodium gangeticum extract on blood glucose in rats and on insulin secretion in vitroPlanta medica. PMID 17431824 · doi:10.1055/s-2007-967176
  7. Govindarajan R, Rastogi S, Vijayakumar M and others. 2003. Studies on the antioxidant activities of Desmodium gangeticumBiological & pharmaceutical bulletin. PMID 14519948 · doi:10.1248/bpb.26.1424

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