# Tinduka

> Tinduka (Diospyros peregrina (Gaertn.) Gurke (syn. D. embryopteris Pers., D. malabarica (Desr.) Kostel.)) is a plant used in Ayurveda, from the Ebenaceae family. Listed in the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India as Tinduka.

## Key facts

- **Botanical name:** Diospyros peregrina (Gaertn.) Gurke (syn. D. embryopteris Pers., D. malabarica (Desr.) Kostel.)
- **Family:** Ebenaceae
- **Pharmacopoeia status:** Listed in the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India as Tinduka. Not included in WHO monographs. Recognized in Indian traditional medicine systems. Timber species (ebony family) with medicinal value.

## Names and identification

| Language | Name |
|----------|------|
| English | Tinduka |
| Latin/Botanical | *Diospyros peregrina (Gaertn.) Gurke (syn. D. embryopteris Pers., D. malabarica (Desr.) Kostel.)* |

## Key Phytochemical Constituents

- Betulinic acid
- [Lupeol](/reference/lupeol/)
- Lup-20(29)-en-3alpha,27-diol (novel triterpene)
- Myricyl alcohol
- [Triterpenoids](/glossary/compounds-t-z/#triterpenoids) (various pentacyclic)
- [Saponins](/reference/saponins/)
- [Tannins](/reference/tannins/) (high content in unripe fruit)
- [Flavonoids](/reference/flavonoids/)
- [Xanthones](/glossary/compounds-t-z/#xanthones)
- Gallic acid
- Diospyrin (naphthoquinone)

## How does it work?

- [Anticancer](/reference/anticancer/) activity via betulinic acid and diospyrin-mediated induction of mitochondrial apoptosis and epigenetic modulation in tumor cells
- [Immunomodulatory](/reference/immunomodulatory/) effects through modulation of T-cell responses and natural killer cell activation in tumor microenvironment
- Astringent and anti-diarrheal action via tannin-mediated reduction of intestinal secretion and protection of mucosal membrane
- Hypoglycemic activity through modulation of carbohydrate-metabolizing [enzymes](/glossary/compounds-d-g/#enzymes) and improvement of [glucose](/glossary/compounds-d-g/#glucose) tolerance

## Which traditional uses are supported by research?

- Astringent and anti-diarrheal use validated through tannin content analysis and intestinal motility studies
- Wound and ulcer treatment confirmed through [antimicrobial](/reference/antimicrobial/) activity and healing promotion in preclinical models
- Anticancer potential validated through NSCLC immunotherapy studies and cytotoxicity assays
- Oral health (gargle for sore throat) use supported by antimicrobial and astringent properties of fruit extracts

## What do recent clinical trials show?

- Bhootra S, Jill N, Rajak R and others 2023. [Diospyros malabarica fruit preparation mediates immunotherapeutic modulation and epigenetic regulation to evoke protection against non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37149067/). *Journal of ethnopharmacology*. PMID [37149067](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37149067/) · [doi:10.1016/j.jep.2023.116525](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2023.116525)  
  Fruit preparation showed significant anticancer activity against NSCLC through immunomodulation and epigenetic regulation, demonstrating histone modification and immune cell activation in tumor microenvironment.
- Rauf A, Akram Z, Hafeez N and others 2024. [Anticancer therapeutic potential of genus Diospyros: From phytochemistry to clinical applications-A review](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39479648/). *Food science & nutrition*. PMID [39479648](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39479648/) · [doi:10.1002/fsn3.4375](https://doi.org/10.1002/fsn3.4375)  
  Genus-level review identified diospyrin and betulinic acid as potent anticancer compounds with activity against breast, lung, cervical and hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines through apoptosis induction.

*1 further claim previously listed here could not be traced to a published paper and has been removed. An absence here means we could not identify the source, not that no work exists.*

## Recent safety updates

- Unripe fruit has very high tannin content which may cause constipation and reduce mineral absorption if consumed in excess
- Formal toxicity studies are limited; traditional use suggests safety at recommended Ayurvedic doses. Fruit calyx gum is used as traditional caulking material, indicating non-food uses also.

## What is it made of?

### Key Active Markers

- Lupeol
- Triterpenoids
- Saponins
- Tannins
- Flavonoids
- Xanthones
- Betulinic acid
- 
- Lup-20

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

## Dosage forms and preparation

**Dosage Forms:** Churna (powder), Kwatha (decoction), Capsule, Tablet, Kashaya (astringent decoction), Avaleha (confection)

**Standard Dosage:** 3-6 g powder twice daily; 50-100 mL decoction twice daily; fruit pulp 10-20 g daily

**Bioavailability:** Betulinic acid and lupeol (triterpenoids) have very low oral bioavailability (<5%) due to extreme hydrophobicity and poor aqueous solubility. Tannins (condensed and hydrolyzable) are poorly absorbed but exert local astringent effects on GI mucosa. Nanoparticle encapsulation or phospholipid complexation (phytosome) can improve triterpenoid bioavailability 4-8 fold. [Plumbagin](/glossary/compounds-o-q/#plumbagin) (in bark) has moderate bioavailability but narrow therapeutic index.

**Optimal Timing:** Before meals for diarrhea and GI conditions; after meals for general astringent tonic effect

**Standardized Extract:** Hydroethanolic extract standardized to >15% total tannins (as tannic acid equivalent by Folin-Denis); >0.5% betulinic acid by HPLC

**Shelf Life:** Powder: 18 months; Capsules/Tablets: 24-36 months; Decoction: prepare fresh daily; Avaleha: 18 months

**Storage:** Store in airtight, moisture-proof containers at 15-25 deg C. Protect from humidity as tannins are hygroscopic. Avoid aluminium or iron containers due to tannin-metal complexation.

**Marker Compounds:** Betulinic acid, Lupeol, Ursolic acid, Gallic acid, Ellagic acid, Plumbagin, beta-[Sitosterol](/glossary/compounds-q-t/#sitosterol), Diospyrin

### Extraction Methods

- Aqueous decoction
- Hydroethanolic extraction (60-80% ethanol)
- Methanol extraction for triterpenoid-rich fraction
- Sequential extraction (hexane then ethanol) for fractionation
- Hot water extraction for tannin-rich preparations

### Synergistic Combinations

- [Haritaki](/herb/haritaki/) (Terminalia chebula) - complementary astringent action
- Amalaki (Emblica officinalis) - antioxidant synergy
- [Lodhra](/herb/lodhra/) (Symplocos racemosa) - synergistic astringent for gynecological conditions
- Kutaja (Holarrhena antidysenterica) - anti-diarrheal combination

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Canonical version of this page: https://nighantu.ageayurveda.com/herb/tinduka/

## 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.