Sharapunkha
Tephrosia purpurea
Sharapunkha (Tephrosia purpurea) is a plant used in Ayurveda. Rotenoids are lipophilic and benefit from lipid-based delivery. Isoflavonoids undergo intestinal metabolism by gut microflora. Co-administration with piperine improves flavonoid bioavailability by 1.5-2x.
| Botanical name | Tephrosia purpurea |
|---|---|
| Family | Fabaceae · other entries in this family |
| Order | Fabales |
| Taxon identifiers | GBIF 5342239 · Wikidata Q3281054 · NCBI Taxonomy 228354 |
Names and identification
| Language | Name |
|---|---|
| English | Sharapunkha |
Ayurvedic pharmacology (Dravyaguna)
| Property | Value | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Rasa (Taste) | Tikta, Kashaya | 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), Ghana vati (solid extract tablet), Capsule, Asava
Standard Dosage: 3-6 g powder per day; 10-20 mL swarasa twice daily; 50-100 mL kwatha twice daily; 500 mg extract capsule twice daily
Bioavailability: Flavonoid glycosides (rutin, quercetin) show moderate oral bioavailability (20-35%). Rotenoids are lipophilic and benefit from lipid-based delivery. Isoflavonoids undergo intestinal metabolism by gut microflora. Co-administration with piperine improves flavonoid bioavailability by 1.5-2x.
Optimal Timing: Before meals on empty stomach for hepatosplenic conditions; morning dose preferred for Pitta-pacifying action
Standardized Extract: Whole plant extract (8:1 in 60% ethanol), standardized to NLT 3% total flavonoids (as rutin equivalents by HPLC); rotenoid content NMT 0.5% for safety; total phenolics NLT 5% by Folin-Ciocalteu
Shelf Life: 7 days for swarasa (refrigerated); 24 months for churna; 36 months for standardized capsules
Storage: Swarasa: refrigerate at 2-8 deg C. Churna and capsules: below 25 deg C in airtight containers, protected from light and moisture.
Marker Compounds: Rutin, Quercetin, Luteolin, Rotenone (must be below safety limit), Deguelin, Tephrosin, Beta-sitosterol
Extraction Methods
- Aqueous decoction
- Hydroalcoholic extraction (60% ethanol)
- Cold pressing for swarasa
- Soxhlet extraction with methanol for comprehensive flavonoid extraction
- Sequential extraction for rotenoid separation
Synergistic Combinations
- Kutki (hepatoprotective-splenoprotective synergy)
- Bhumyamalaki (liver and spleen disorder formulations)
- Rohitaka (Pleeha-Yakrit conditions)
- Punarnava (hepato-renal formulations)
- Guduchi (immunomodulatory-hepatoprotective combination)
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
- 2020. A comprehensive review on ethnomedicine, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and toxicity of Tephrosia purpurea (L.) PersPhytotherapy research : PTR. PMID 32147928 · doi:10.1002/ptr.6657
- 2014. Ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry and pharmacology of Tephrosia purpureaChinese journal of natural medicines. PMID 24484589 · doi:10.1016/S1875-5364(14)60001-7
Laboratory and animal studies10
- 2023. Phytochemical Analysis and Profiling of Antioxidants and Anticancer Compounds from Tephrosia purpurea (L.) subsp. apollinea Family FabaceaeMolecules (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 37175349 · doi:10.3390/molecules28093939
- 2023. Repurposing small molecules of Tephrosia purpurea against SARS-CoV-2 main proteaseJournal of biomolecular structure & dynamics. PMID 35983619 · doi:10.1080/07391102.2022.2112616
- 2022. A chalcone (Pongamol) and phytoconstituents of Tephrosia purpureaNatural product research. PMID 32840388 · doi:10.1080/14786419.2020.1808640
- 2022. Glabratephrin reverses doxorubicin resistance in triple negative breast cancer by inhibiting P-glycoproteinPharmacological research. PMID 34785319 · doi:10.1016/j.phrs.2021.105975
- 2022. Molecular Identification and Characterization of Two Groups of Phytoplasma and Candidatus Liberibacter Asiaticus in Single or Mixed Infection of Citrus maxima on Hainan Island of ChinaBiology. PMID 35741390 · doi:10.3390/biology11060869
- 2021. New prenylated flavonoid and neuroprotective compounds from Tephrosia purpurea subsp. dunensisNatural product research. PMID 32878453 · doi:10.1080/14786419.2020.1815739
- 2016. Determination of flavonoids, polyphenols and antioxidant activity of Tephrosia purpurea: a seasonal studyJournal of integrative medicine. PMID 27854196 · doi:10.1016/S2095-4964(16)60276-5
- 2016. Effects of flavonoids from Martynia annua and Tephrosia purpurea on cutaneous wound healingAvicenna journal of phytomedicine. PMID 27761428
- 2010. Chemical constituents of Tephrosia purpureaPharmacognosy research. PMID 21808544 · doi:10.4103/0974-8490.62951
- 2010. Determination of polyphenols and free radical scavenging activity of Tephrosia purpurea linn leaves (Leguminosae)Pharmacognosy research. PMID 21808558 · doi:10.4103/0974-8490.65509
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