# Surana > Surana (Amorphophallus campanulatus (Roxb.) Blume ex Decne. (syn. Amorphophallus paeoniifolius (Dennst.) Nicolson)) is a plant used in Ayurveda, from the Araceae family. Not listed in WHO monographs; recognized in Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India; widely consumed as food in South and Southeast Asia after appropriate processing. ## Key facts - **Botanical name:** Amorphophallus campanulatus (Roxb.) Blume ex Decne. (syn. Amorphophallus paeoniifolius (Dennst.) Nicolson) - **Family:** Araceae - **Pharmacopoeia status:** Not listed in WHO monographs; recognized in Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India; widely consumed as food in South and Southeast Asia after appropriate processing ## Names and identification | Language | Name | |----------|------| | English | Surana | | Latin/Botanical | *Amorphophallus campanulatus (Roxb.) Blume ex Decne. (syn. Amorphophallus paeoniifolius (Dennst.) Nicolson)* | ## Key Phytochemical Constituents - [Tannins](/reference/tannins/) - [Flavonoids](/reference/flavonoids/) (including [quercetin](/reference/quercetinquercetin/), [kaempferol](/reference/kaempferol/)) - [Alkaloids](/glossary/compounds-1-a/#alkaloids) - [Steroids](/glossary/compounds-q-t/#steroids) (beta-[sitosterol](/glossary/compounds-q-t/#sitosterol), [stigmasterol](/reference/stigmasterol/)) - Phenolic compounds - [Saponins](/reference/saponins/) - [Glucomannan](/glossary/compounds-d-g/#glucomannan) (dietary fiber) - Betulinic acid - [Lupeol](/reference/lupeol/) - Oxalate crystals (reduced by processing) ## How does it work? - Anti-hemorrhoidal action through astringent tannins reducing vascular engorgement and anti-inflammatory flavonoids decreasing mucosal inflammation - Cytotoxic mechanism involving induction of apoptosis in hepatoma cell lines through mitochondrial pathway activation and caspase cascade triggering - Prebiotic and digestive mechanism through glucomannan dietary fiber promoting beneficial gut microbiota and improving bowel function in IBS ## Which traditional uses are supported by research? - Anti-hemorrhoidal efficacy validated through clinical trials showing significant symptom relief, confirming premier Ayurvedic indication as Arsha (piles) remedy - [Hepatoprotective](/reference/hepatoprotective/) activity confirmed through experimental models, supporting traditional use in liver disorders - Anti-inflammatory and [analgesic](/reference/analgesic/) properties validated in preclinical studies, confirming traditional use in Shotha (inflammation) and pain 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 - Raw corms contain calcium oxalate crystals and acridity-causing compounds; Ayurvedic processing (Shodhana) through repeated washing and cooking with specific agents (lime water, tamarind) is essential to reduce irritant properties - Properly processed Surana is considered safe; clinical trials in hemorrhoid and IBS management reported no significant adverse effects at traditional therapeutic doses ## What is it made of? ### Key Active Markers - Tannins - Flavonoids - Quercetin - Kaempferol - Alkaloids - Steroids - Sitosterol - Stigmasterol **Analytical Methods:** HPLC fingerprinting, TLC (identity), LC-MS/MS (marker quantification) ## Dosage forms and preparation **Dosage Forms:** Churna (powder), Vati (tablet), Capsule, Chips/dried slices, Avaleha (confection), Ghana vati **Standard Dosage:** 3-10 g tuber powder per day; 500-1000 mg extract capsule twice daily; 5-10 g avaleha with buttermilk; traditionally processed (Shodhita) form only **Bioavailability:** Glucomannan (40-60% of dry weight) is a soluble dietary fiber — not systemically absorbed but has significant local GI effects (prebiotic, lipid-lowering, satiety-promoting). [Diosgenin](/glossary/compounds-d-g/#diosgenin) and other sapogenins show moderate oral bioavailability (25-35%). Calcium oxalate crystals (raphides) present in raw tuber cause severe irritation — Shodhana (processing with lime water/tamarind) is essential. Processed tuber shows improved digestibility. **Optimal Timing:** After meals with buttermilk for Arsha (hemorrhoid) treatment; with warm water for digestive conditions **Standardized Extract:** Shodhita (processed) tuber extract (5:1 in 50% ethanol), standardized to NLT 30% glucomannan by enzymatic assay; total diosgenin NLT 0.5% by HPLC; calcium oxalate content NMT 0.1% (safety limit post-Shodhana) **Shelf Life:** 24 months for Shodhita churna; 36 months for extract capsules; 12 months for avaleha; 18 months for chips **Storage:** Store below 25 deg C in airtight containers. Powder is moderately hygroscopic — RH <55%. Protect from insect infestation. Avaleha in glass jars. Raw tuber in cool, dry, ventilated space. **Marker Compounds:** Glucomannan, Diosgenin, Beta-sitosterol, Stigmasterol, Betulinic acid, Calcium oxalate (must be below safety limit post-processing) ### Extraction Methods - Traditional Shodhana: soak tuber slices in Churnodaka (lime water) or Imli (tamarind) water for 24-48 hours to remove calcium oxalate irritants - Aqueous extraction after Shodhana - Hydroalcoholic extraction (50% ethanol) of processed tuber - Glucomannan isolation by ethanol precipitation ### Synergistic Combinations - [Haritaki](/herb/haritaki/) (Suranaka Vati — classical formulation for hemorrhoids) - Chitraka (digestive fire enhancement in Arsha/hemorrhoid formulations) - [Pippali](/herb/pippali/) (bioavailability enhancer and Deepana combination) - [Takra](/herb/takra/)/buttermilk (traditional vehicle for Arsha treatment) --- Canonical version of this page: https://nighantu.ageayurveda.com/herb/surana/ ## 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.