Age Ayurveda Nighantu

Surana

Amorphophallus campanulatus (Roxb.) Blume ex Decne. (syn. Amorphophallus paeoniifolius (Dennst.) Nicolson)

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 nameAmorphophallus campanulatus (Roxb.) Blume ex Decne. (syn. Amorphophallus paeoniifolius (Dennst.) Nicolson)
Currently accepted nameAmorphophallus paeoniifolius (Dennst.) Nicolson — the name above is treated as a synonym by GBIF; both are in use
FamilyAraceae
OrderAlismatales
Pharmacopoeia statusNot listed in WHO monographs; recognized in Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India; widely consumed as food in South and Southeast Asia after appropriate processing
Taxon identifiersGBIF 2871556 · Wikidata Q37247507 · NCBI Taxonomy 203634

Names and identification

LanguageName
EnglishSurana
Latin/BotanicalAmorphophallus campanulatus (Roxb.) Blume ex Decne. (syn. Amorphophallus paeoniifolius (Dennst.) Nicolson)

Key Phytochemical Constituents

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 activity confirmed through experimental models, supporting traditional use in liver disorders
  • Anti-inflammatory and 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 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 (Suranaka Vati — classical formulation for hemorrhoids)
  • Chitraka (digestive fire enhancement in Arsha/hemorrhoid formulations)
  • Pippali (bioavailability enhancer and Deepana combination)
  • Takra/buttermilk (traditional vehicle for Arsha treatment)

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.

Laboratory and animal studies12

  1. Fan L, Li X, Tripathi AS. 2024. Amorphophallus campanulatus tuber extract protects diabetic nephropathy in streptozotocin-induced diabetic nephropathy rat model by regulating oxidative stress and TNF-α inflammatory pathwayActa cirurgica brasileira. PMID 39109782 · doi:10.1590/acb395324
  2. Widyastuti ES, Rosyidi D, Radiati LE and others. 2020. Interactions between beef salt-soluble proteins and elephant foot yam (Amorphophallus campanulatus) flour in heat-induced gel matrix developmentJournal of animal science and technology. PMID 32803185 · doi:10.5187/jast.2020.62.4.533
  3. Chen D. 2016. NEUROPROTECTIVE EFFECT OF AMORPHOPHALLUS CAMPANULATUS IN STZ INDUCED ALZHEIMER RAT MODELAfrican journal of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicines : AJTCAM. PMID 28480351 · doi:10.21010/ajtcam.v13i4.8
  4. Ansil PN, Wills PJ, Varun R and others. 2014. Cytotoxic and apoptotic activities of Amorphophallus campanulatus tuber extracts against human hepatoma cell lineResearch in pharmaceutical sciences. PMID 25657798
  5. Ansil PN, Wills PJ, Varun R and others. 2014. Cytotoxic and apoptotic activities of Amorphophallus campanulatus (Roxb.) Bl. tuber extracts against human colon carcinoma cell line HCT-15Saudi journal of biological sciences. PMID 25473360 · doi:10.1016/j.sjbs.2014.01.004
  6. Ansil PN, Nitha A, Prabha SP and others. 2014. Curative effect of Amorphophallus campanulatus (Roxb.) Blume. tuber on N-nitrosodiethylamine- induced hepatocellular carcinoma in ratsJournal of environmental pathology, toxicology and oncology : official organ of the International Society for Environmental Toxicology and Cancer. PMID 25272059 · doi:10.1615/jenvironpatholtoxicoloncol.2014011320
  7. Ansil PN, Prabha SP, Nitha A and others. 2013. Chemopreventive effect of Amorphophallus campanulatus (Roxb.) blume tuber against aberrant crypt foci and cell proliferation in 1, 2-dimethylhydrazine induced colon carcinogenesisAsian Pacific journal of cancer prevention : APJCP. PMID 24175821 · doi:10.7314/apjcp.2013.14.9.5331
  8. Ansil PN, Nitha A, Prabha SP and others. 2011. Protective effect of Amorphophallus campanulatus (Roxb.) Blume. tuber against thioacetamide induced oxidative stress in ratsAsian Pacific journal of tropical medicine. PMID 22078949 · doi:10.1016/S1995-7645(11)60211-3
  9. Jain S, Dixit VK, Malviya N and others. 2009. Antioxidant and hepatoprotective activity of ethanolic and aqueous extracts of Amorphophallus campanulatus Roxb. tubersActa poloniae pharmaceutica. PMID 19702175
  10. Das D, Mondal S, Roy SK and others. 2009. Isolation and characterization of a heteropolysaccharide from the corm of Amorphophallus campanulatusCarbohydrate research. PMID 19889399 · doi:10.1016/j.carres.2009.09.025
  11. Khan A, Rahman M, Islam MS. 2008. Antibacterial, antifungal and cytotoxic activities of amblyone isolated from Amorphophallus campanulatusIndian journal of pharmacology. PMID 21264161 · doi:10.4103/0253-7613.40489
  12. Paranjpe PS, Karve MS, Padhye SB. 2003. Characterization of tyrosinase and accompanying laccase from Amorphophallus campanulatusIndian journal of biochemistry & biophysics. PMID 22900290

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