Shyonaka

Names and identification

Language	Name
English	Shyonaka
Latin/Botanical	Oroxylum indicum (L.) Kurz

Key Phytochemical Constituents

• Baicalein
• Chrysin
• Oroxylin A
• Baicalein-7-O-diglucoside (Oroxylin B)
• Scutellarein
• Ellagic acid
• Biochanin-A
• Tetuin
• Aloe-emodin
• Gallic acid
• Catechin
• Ferulic acid
• Quercetin
• Apigenin

How does it work?

• Neuroprotective mechanism through multi-target approach: inhibition of beta-amyloid aggregation, acetylcholinesterase inhibition, and modulation of tau phosphorylation pathways
• Anti-inflammatory activity mediated by baicalein and chrysin through suppression of NF-kB pathway and inhibition of COX-2 and pro-inflammatory cytokine expression
• Anticancer mechanism involving induction of apoptosis via mitochondrial pathway and inhibition of cell proliferation signaling cascades

Which traditional uses are supported by research?

These summaries come from the source notes, which do not name the studies behind them.

• Traditionally used in Vataroga. Animal studies on the root bark and stem bark have reported anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic activity.
• Traditionally used for liver disorders. Animal studies have reported hepatoprotective activity, with liver enzymes returning toward normal levels.
• Traditionally applied topically for wound infections and skin diseases. Laboratory studies have reported antimicrobial activity against multiple pathogens.

What do recent studies show?

• Summat R, Waiwut P, Daodee S and others 2025. Phytomedicine Potential of Oroxylum indicum Root and Its Constituents: Targeting Alzheimer’s Disease. Plants (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 39861577 · doi:10.3390/plants14020223
  Root extract and key constituents (baicalein, chrysin, oroxylin A) inhibited beta-amyloid aggregation and acetylcholinesterase activity, with potent antioxidant modulation of proteins implicated in amyloidogenesis and tau phosphorylation.
• Thrigulla SR, Singh G, Soni H and others 2024. In-silico evaluation of Oroxylum indicum vent compounds in the plausible treatment and prevention of nasopharyngeal cancer. Journal of Ayurveda and integrative medicine. PMID 38805854 · doi:10.1016/j.jaim.2024.100986
  Molecular docking studies identified promising compounds against nasopharyngeal carcinoma targets, including both Epstein-Barr virus and cancer cell proliferation pathways.

Only studies that could be traced to a published paper are listed here. An absence here means we could not identify the source, not that no work exists.

Recent safety updates

• Traditionally used as part of Dashamoola; formal human safety data is limited
• Preclinical toxicity data supports safety at therapeutic doses; baicalein and chrysin have favorable safety profiles in available studies, though human clinical trial data remains limited

What is it made of?

Key Active Markers

• Baicalein
• Chrysin
• Scutellarein
• Biochanin-A
• Emodin
• Catechin
• Quercetin
• Apigenin

Dosage forms and preparation

Dosage Forms: Kwatha (decoction), Churna (powder), Capsule, Ghana vati (solid extract tablet), Taila (medicated oil), Asava/Arishta

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

Optimal Timing: After meals with warm water; traditionally as part of Dashmool kwatha taken warm for Vata-Kapha disorders

Storage: Store below 25 deg C in airtight, light-protected containers. Flavonoids are photosensitive, use amber packaging. Arishta in glass bottles.

Marker Compounds: Baicalein, Oroxylin A, Chrysin, Biochanin A, Tetuin, Ellagic acid, Beta-sitosterol

Synergistic Combinations

• Dashmool components (classical anti-inflammatory formulation)
• Bilva (Vatahara and anti-diarrheal synergy)
• Gambhari (Brihat Panchamula formulation)
• Patala (complementary Dashmool herb)
• Agnimantha (Brihat Panchamula, anti-inflammatory)