Tinduka
Diospyros peregrina (Gaertn.) Gurke (syn. D. embryopteris Pers., D. malabarica (Desr.) Kostel.)
Tinduka (Diospyros peregrina (Gaertn.) Gurke (syn. D. embryopteris Pers., D. malabarica (Desr.) Kostel.)) is a plant drug, also called Gaabh, Maakaatendu and Tendu, from the Ebenaceae family. Listed in the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India as Tinduka.
| Botanical name | Diospyros peregrina (Gaertn.) Gurke (syn. D. embryopteris Pers., D. malabarica (Desr.) Kostel.) |
|---|---|
| Currently accepted name | Diospyros malabarica (Desr.) Kostel., the name above is treated as a synonym by GBIF; both are in use |
| Family | Ebenaceae |
| Order | Ericales |
| Also known as | Diospyros peregrina (Gaertn.) Gurke (syn. D. embryopteris Pers., D. malabarica (Desr.) Kostel.) |
| 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. |
| Taxon identifiers | GBIF 7295846 · Wikidata Q17245728 · NCBI Taxonomy 3793684 |
| Hindi | Gaabh, Maakaatendu, Tendu |
|---|---|
| English | Indian Gaub, Persimon |
| Tamil | Kattatti, Kavikattai, Paanicikaa, Tumbi, Tumbika |
| Malayalam | Panachi |
| Telugu | Gaara, Tumiki |
| Kannada | Holetupare, Kusharta |
| Marathi | Temburni |
| Bengali | Gab |
| Gujarati | Temru, Timbaravo |
| Urdu | Tendu |
| Oriya | Kendu |
| Assamese | Kendu |
Source: Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. How we source.
The evidence at a glance
10papers on this site for this drug, published 2009 to 2024, every one with a DOI.
- 2Other clinical studies and reviews
- 8Laboratory and animal studies
A count is not a conclusion and a tier is a study design, not a verdict. Everything listed here is laboratory or animal work, which does not show an effect in people. Each paper is listed with what it measured on the page below. See the research index for how papers are tiered.
Names and identification
| Language | Name |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit | Tinduka |
| Latin/Botanical | Diospyros peregrina (Gaertn.) Gurke (syn. D. embryopteris Pers., D. malabarica (Desr.) Kostel.) |
Key Phytochemical Constituents
- Betulinic acid
- Lupeol
- Lup-20(29)-en-3alpha,27-diol (novel triterpene)
- Myricyl alcohol
- Triterpenoids (various pentacyclic)
- Saponins
- Tannins (high content in unripe fruit)
- Flavonoids
- Xanthones
- Gallic acid
- Diospyrin (naphthoquinone)
How does it work?
- Anticancer activity via betulinic acid and diospyrin-mediated induction of mitochondrial apoptosis and epigenetic modulation in tumor cells
- 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 and improvement of glucose tolerance
Which traditional uses are supported by research?
These summaries come from the source notes, which do not name the studies behind them.
- Traditionally used as an astringent and for diarrhea. Analytical studies have reported tannin content in the plant.
- Traditionally used for wounds and ulcers. Preclinical studies have reported antimicrobial activity and wound-healing activity.
- Studied for anticancer potential. In vitro cytotoxicity assays have reported cytotoxic activity, and it has been examined in NSCLC immunotherapy research.
- Traditionally used for oral health, as a gargle for sore throat. Laboratory studies have reported antimicrobial and astringent properties of fruit extracts.
What do recent studies 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). Journal of ethnopharmacology. PMID 37149067 · doi: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. Food science & nutrition. PMID 39479648 · doi: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.
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
- Unripe fruit has very high tannin content which may cause constipation and reduce mineral absorption if consumed in excess
- Formal toxicity studies are limited. 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
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
Optimal Timing: Before meals for diarrhea and GI conditions; after meals for general astringent tonic effect
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, Diospyrin
Synergistic Combinations
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
- 2024. Anticancer therapeutic potential of genus Diospyros: From phytochemistry to clinical applications-A reviewFood science & nutrition. PMID 39479648 · doi:10.1002/fsn3.4375
- 2013. Can scientific evidence support using Bangladeshi traditional medicinal plants in the treatment of diarrhoea? A review on seven plantsNutrients. PMID 23698166 · doi:10.3390/nu5051757
Laboratory and animal studies8
- 2024. Immunomodulatory effects of Diospyros peregrina fruit preparation (DFP) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) by utilizing dendritic cell-mediated antigen presentation and T helper (TH) cell differentiationMedical oncology (Northwood, London, England). PMID 38580762 · doi:10.1007/s12032-024-02331-7
- 2023. Diospyros malabarica fruit preparation mediates immunotherapeutic modulation and epigenetic regulation to evoke protection against non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)Journal of ethnopharmacology. PMID 37149067 · doi:10.1016/j.jep.2023.116525
- 2021. Diospyros Peregrina Fruit Preparation Mediated Immunomodulation of Lymphocytes Isolated From The Blood of Breast Cancer PatientsIranian journal of immunology : IJI. PMID 34190692 · doi:10.22034/iji.2021.85430.1710
- 2014. Cytotoxic activity screening of Bangladeshi medicinal plant extractsJournal of natural medicines. PMID 23846168 · doi:10.1007/s11418-013-0789-5
- 2012. Dereplication coupled with in vitro antioxidant assay of two flavonoid glycosides from Diospyros peregrina fruitNatural product research. PMID 21442546 · doi:10.1080/14786411003792199
- 2011. Multimodal approaches of the hydroalcoholic extract of Diospyros peregrina fruits in diabetic therapyNatural product research. PMID 21331972 · doi:10.1080/14786410903112631
- 2011. Effective Control of Type 2 Diabetes through Antioxidant Defense by Edible Fruits of Diospyros peregrinaEvidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM. PMID 19584081 · doi:10.1093/ecam/nep080
- 2009. Antidiabetic activity of Diospyros peregrina fruit: effect on hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia and augmented oxidative stress in experimental type 2 diabetesFood and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association. PMID 19660513 · doi:10.1016/j.fct.2009.07.038
Reviewed by Dr. Awadesh Pratap Singh, BAMS, on 11 October 2026. What that review covered.
Consult a qualified vaidya before acting on anything here. Ayurvedic practice is prescribed to a person, not to a condition: the same dravya is given, withheld or substituted depending on your constitution, your agni, the season and what else you are already taking. A page cannot know any of that. Self-prescribing from a reference is how the wrong preparation, the wrong dose or the wrong anupana gets used.
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