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Boerhavia diffusa Linn.
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|description=Punarnava (Boerhavia diffusa L., family Nyctaginaceae) is a rejuvenative (Rasayana) medicinal plant widely studied for its nephroprotective, hepatoprotective, and immunomodulatory properties.
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[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boerhavia_diffusa Boerhavia diffusa Linn.]


{{Infobox
{{Infobox
|title = Punarnava
|title = Punarnava
|label1 = Section/Chapter
|label1 = Section/Chapter
|data1 = Herb database/Punarnava
|data1 = Herb database/Punarnava
|label2 = Botanical name(s)
|label2 = Botanical name(s)
|data2 = Boerhavia diffusa Linn.
|data2 = Boerhavia diffusa Linn.
|label3 = Contributors
|label3 = Family
|data3 = --
|data3 = Nyctaginaceae
|label4 = Year of publication  
|label4 = Availability
|data4 =  2021
|data4 =  Available
|label5 = Publisher  
|label5 = Contributors
|data5 =  [[Charak Samhita Research, Training and Skill Development Centre]]
|data5 =  Team Dravyaguna
|label6 = DOI  
|label6 = Year of publication  
|data6 = Awaited
|data6 =  2026
|label7 = Publisher  
|data7 =  [[Charak Samhita Research, Training and Skill Development Centre]]
|label8 = DOI  
|data8 = Awaited
}}
}}
[[File:Punarnava.jpg|thumb|'''Punarnava (''Boerhavia diffusa'')''']]
'''Punarnava''' (''Boerhavia diffusa'' L., family Nyctaginaceae) is a rejuvenative (''Rasayana'') medicinal plant widely studied for its nephroprotective, hepatoprotective, and immunomodulatory properties.


==English name ==  
==English name ==  


Spreading hogweed
Spreading hogweed
==Therapeutic use==
Shotha(oedema), Pandu(Anemia and diseases due to blood deficiency)<ref>Anonymous. The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. Department of Ayush, Ministry of Health and Family welfare, Govt. of India, New Delhi, Part I. 1986; Volume 1:60</ref>


== Synonyms in Charak Samhita==
== Synonyms in Charak Samhita==


Punarnava
Punarnava, Shothaghni(reduse oedema), Varshabhu(it is perennial plant gets regenerated during rainy season ), Kshudravarshabhu, Katthillak, Varshaketu(regenerates in varsha rutu), Vrushchira, Kathillaka


==Synonyms in Bhavprakash Nighantu==
Shwetamula(root is white in colour), Dirghapatrika<ref>Shri Bhavamishra, Bhavaprakash Nighantu, guduchyadi Varga, Verse no. 231, Edited by Padmashree Pro. Krushnachandra Chunekar, Reprint Edition, Chaukhambha Bharati Academy, 2020;</ref>
==Varieties==
===According to bhavprakash nighantu===
# Shweta punarnava 
# Rakta punarnava
===According to rajanighantu===
Mentioned 3 types<ref>Dr. Indradev Tripathi , Raja Nighantu of pandit Narhari, ed.2016, Chaukhambha Krishnadas Academy, Varanasi ,parpatadi varga verse 116,120,122</ref>
# Shweta punarnava
# Rakta punarnava
# Nila  punarnava
== Ayurvedic pharmacological properties ==
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Properties
|-
! Sr.no. !! Pharmacological criteria !! Properties
|-
| 1 || Taste ([[rasa]])  || Sweet (madhura), Bitter (tikta), Astringent (kashaya)
|-
| 2 || Potency ([[veerya]]) || Hot (ushna)
|-
| 3 || Post digestion effect ([[vipaka]]) || Sweet (madhura)
|-
| 4 || Qualities ([[guna]])|| Light (laghu), Rough (ruksha)
|-
| 5 || Actions ([[karma]]) || Pacify [[vata]], [[pitta]] and [[kapha]]
|}
== Reference in Charak Samhita and its actions ==  
== Reference in Charak Samhita and its actions ==  


Line 32: Line 81:
! Sr.no. !! Reference in Charak Samhita !! Activity  
! Sr.no. !! Reference in Charak Samhita !! Activity  
|-
|-
| 1 || Sutra sthana 2/12 || Asthapana
| 1 ||Cha.Sa.[[Sutra Sthana]] 2/12 || Asthapana(Herbs used in Therapeutic Enema)
|-
|-
| 2 || Sutra sthana 4/9(22) || Svedopagmahakashay
| 2 ||Cha.Sa.[[Sutra Sthana]] 4/9(22) || Svedopaga mahakashaya(helping dia-phoresis/sudation)
|-
|-
| 3 || Sutra sthana 4/9(26) || Anuvasanopagmahakashay
| 3 ||Cha.Sa.[[Sutra Sthana]] 4/9(26) || Anuvasanopag mahakashaya(unctuous enema)
|-
|-
| 4 || Sutra sthana 4/9(36) || Kasaharamahakashaya
| 4 ||Cha.Sa.[[Sutra Sthana]] 4/9(36) || Kasahara mahakashaya (relieving cough)
|-
|-
| 5 || Sutra sthana 4/9(50) || Vayasthapanmahakashaya
| 5 ||Cha.Sa.[[Sutra Sthana]] 4/9(50) || Vayasthapana mahakashaya (anti-ageing)
|-
|-
|6
|6
|Ch Su 27/96
|Cha.Sa.[[Sutra Sthana]] 27/96
|Shaka Varga
|Shaka Varga(group of vegetables)
|-
|-
|7
|7
|Ch.Vi.8/135
|Cha.Sa.[[Vimana Sthana]] 8/135
|Vaman dravyani
|Vamana dravyani (List of medicines used in therapeutic emesis)
|-
|-
|8
|8
|Ch.Vi.8/136
|Cha.Sa.[[Vimana Sthana]] 8/136
|Vaman dravyani
|Vamana dravyani (List of medicines used in therapeutic emesis)
|-
|-
|9
|9
|Ch.Vi.8/135
|Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 29/103
|Vaman dravyani
|As an ingredient of Amrutadya taila
|-
|-
|'''10'''
|10
|Ch.Vi.8/136
|Cha.Sa.[[Vimana Sthana]] 8/136
|
|Virechana Dravya (List of medicines used in therapeutic purgation)
|-
|-
|11
|11
|Ch Vi 8/139
|Cha.Sa.[[Vimana Sthana]] 8/139
|Madhur skanda
|Madhura skandha(group of sweet drugs)
|-
|-
|12
|12
|Vimana Sthana 8/143
|Cha.Sa.[[Vimana Sthana]] 8/143
|Tiktaskandha
|Tikta skandha(group of bitter drugs)
|-
|-
|13
|13
|Cha. Sa. Chikitsa sthana 1/1/43
|Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 1/1/43
|In  formulation of brahma rasayana
|In  formulation of Brahma rasayana
|-
|-
|14
|14
|Cha. Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 2/1/26
|Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 2/1/26
|Ingredient in Bruhaniya  Gutika
|Ingredient in Bruhaniya  Gutika
|-
|-
|15
|15
|Cha.sa.Chi.3/267
|Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 3/267
|As an ingredient of Agurvadi taila.
|As an ingredient of Agurvadi taila
|-
|-
|16
|16
|Cha.Sa.Chi.3/189
|Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 3/189
|As shaka-pathya ahara.
|As shaka-pathya ahara.
|-
|-
|17
|17
|Cha.sa.Chi.3/267
|Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 29/73
|As an ingredient of Agurvadi taila.
|As an ingredient of Jeevakadi mahasneha
|-
|-
|18
|18
|Cha. Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 7/125
|Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 7/125
|Bahyaprayogarth Lepa in Vata-Kaphaj Kushth
|Bahyaprayogarth Lepa in Vata-Kaphaja Kushtha
|-
|-
|19
|19
|Cha. Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 8/79
|Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 8/79
|Ingredient in Shira-Pashva  –Ansha Shula nashak lepa
|Ingredient in Shira-Parshva–Ansa Shula nashak lepa
|-
|-
|20
|20
|Cha. Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 8/170
|Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 8/170
|Ingredient in Strotosuddhikar  Ghrit
|Ingredient in Strotosuddhikar  Ghrita
|-
|-
|21
|21
|Cha. Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 8/175
|Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 8/175
|As a Utsadan dravya Bahyaprayogarth
|As a Utsadan dravya Bahyaprayogarth(external treatment)
|-
|-
|22
|22
|Cha. Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 11/26
|Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 11/26
|Rakt shthivan  
|Rakta shthivan (treatment of excessive bleeding)
|-
|-
|23
|23
|Cha. Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 11/36
|Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 11/36
|Ingredient in Amrutprash  Ghrit
|Ingredient in Amrutprash  Ghrita
|-
|-
|24
|24
|Cha. Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 11/56
|Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 11/56
|Ingredient in Dvitiya Sarpigud
|Ingredient in Dvitiya Sarpiguda
|-
|-
|25
|25
|Cha. Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 11/66
|Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 11/66
|Ingredient in Chaturtha  Sarpigud
|Ingredient in Chaturtha  Sarpiguda
|-
|-
|26
|26
|Cha. Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 11/36
|Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 11/36
|Ingredient in Amrutprash  Ghrit
|Ingredient in Amrutprash  Ghrita
|-
|-
|27
|27
|Cha. Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 12/22
|Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 12/22
|In treatment of Kaphaj Svayathu
|In treatment of Kaphaja Shvayathu
|-
|-
|28
|28
|Cha. Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 12/23
|Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 12/23
|In treatment of Vataj Svayathu
|In treatment of Vataja Shvayathu
|-
|-
|29
|29
|Cha. Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 12/25
|Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 12/25
|In treatment of Vataj Svayathu
|In treatment of Vataja Shvayathu
|-
|-
|30
|30
|Cha. Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 12/34
|Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 12/34
|Ingredient in Punarnavadhyarisht
|Ingredient in Punarnavadyarishta
|-
|-
|31
|31
|Cha. Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 12/73
|Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 12/73
|As an Unmardan dravya  in Kaphaj Shvayathu
|As an Unmardan dravya  in Kaphaja Shvayathu
|-
|-
|32
|32
|Cha. Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 12/34
|Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 30/53
|Ingredient in Punarnavadhyarisht
|As an ingredient of Kashmaryadi ghrita, used in the  treatment of Vataja yoni
|-
|-
|33
|33
|Cha. Sa. Chi. 16/93  
|Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 16/93  
|As an ingredient of Punarnava Mandur
|As an ingredient of Punarnava Mandura
|-
|-
|34
|34
|Cha. Sa. Chi. 16/119  
|Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 16/119  
|As an ingredient of Vyoshadi Ghrit
|As an ingredient of Vyoshadi Ghrita
|-
|-
|35
|35
|Cha.sa.chi.18/127
|Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 18/127
|As an ingredient  of kantakari ghrita.
|As an ingredient  of Kantakari ghrita
|-
|-
|36
|36
|Cha.sa.chi.18/177
|Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 18/177
|As an ingredient  of jivantyadi leha
|As an ingredient  of Jivantyadi leha
|-
|-
|37
|37
|Cha.Sa.Chi.23/53
|Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 23/53
|As an ingredient of Kakandadi yoga.
|As an ingredient of Kakandadi yoga
|-
|-
|38
|38
|Cha.Sa.chi.29/61, 64
|Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 29/61, 64
|As an ingredient of Jeevaniya Ghrita.
|As an ingredient of Jeevaniya Ghrita
|-
|39
|Cha.Sa.chi.29/73
|As an ingredient of Jeevakadi mahasneha.
|-
|40
|Cha.Sa.chi.29/103
|As an ingredient of Amrutadhya taila.
|-
|41
|Cha.Sa.Chi.30/53
|As an ingredient of Kashmaryadi ghrita, used in the  treatment of Vataja yoni.
|}
|}


==DOSE==
* 20-30 g of the drug for decoction<ref>Anonymous. The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. Department of Ayush, Ministry of Health and Family welfare, Govt. of India, New Delhi, Part I. 1986; Volume 1:60</ref>


== Ayurvedic pharmacological properties ==  
==Important formulation==
 
As per A.P.I.<ref>Anonymous. The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. Department of Ayush, Ministry of Health and Family welfare, Govt. of India, New Delhi, Part I. 1986; Volume 1:60</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
* Punarnavashtak kwatha
|+ Properties
* Punarnavasava
|-
* Punarnavadi mandura
! Sr.no. !! Pharmacological criteria !! Properties
* Sukumara ghruta
|-
| 1 || Taste ([[rasa]])  || Sweet (madhura), Bitter (tikta), Astringent (kashaya)
|-
| 2 || Potency ([[veerya]]) || Hot (ushna)
|-
| 3 || Post digestion effect ([[vipaka]]) || Sweet (madhura)
|-
| 4 || Qualities ([[guna]])|| Light (laghu), Rough (ruksha)
|-
| 5 || Actions ([[karma]]) || Pacify [[vata]], [[pitta]] and [[kapha]]
|}
 
== Current availability==  
== Current availability==  


Line 211: Line 239:


== Current researches ==
== Current researches ==
== Phytochemical Profile ==
* '''Alkaloids:''' Punarnavine
* '''Rotenoids:''' Boeravinones A through J
* '''Flavonoids & Phenols:''' Quercetin, kaempferol, and caffeic acid derivatives
* '''Lignans & Sterols:''' Liriodendrin, β-sitosterol, and ursolic acid
== Therapeutic Efficacy & Pharmacological Evidence ==
=== Renoprotective & Diuretic Activity ===
Punarnava enhances renal clearance, reduces edema, and lowers blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine. Aqueous root extracts significantly attenuate nephrotoxicity by reducing lipid peroxidation and restoring renal superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase levels.<ref name="Pareta2011">Pareta, S. K., Patra, K. C., Mazumder, P. M., & Sasmal, D. (2011). Aqueous extract of ''Boerhaavia diffusa'' root ameliorates ethylene glycol-induced hyperoxaluric oxidative stress and renal injury in rat kidney. ''Pharmaceutical Biology'', 49(12), 1224–1233. https://doi.org/10.3109/13880209.2011.581671</ref>
=== Hepatoprotective Action ===
Boeravinones and flavonoids protect hepatic parenchyma against toxic insults and normalize elevated liver enzymes (ALT, AST, ALP). Root extracts markedly prevent carbon tetrachloride (CCl<sub>4</sub>)-induced hepatotoxicity, preserving intracellular glycogen levels and liver cytoarchitecture.<ref name="Rawat1997">Rawat, A. K. S., Mehrotra, S., Tripathi, S. C., & Shome, U. (1997). Hepatoprotective activity of ''Boerhaavia diffusa'' L. roots – a popular Indian ethnomedicine. ''Journal of Ethnopharmacology'', 56(1), 61–66. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0378-8741(96)01507-3</ref>
=== Anti-Inflammatory & Immunomodulatory Effects ===
The herb inhibits pro-inflammatory cascades by suppressing NF-κB activation and downregulating cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6. Isolated punarnavine enhances cell-mediated immunity, increases total white blood cell count, and inhibits tumor-directed angiogenesis.<ref name="Manu2009">Manu, K. A., & Kuttan, G. (2009). Immunomodulatory activities of Punarnavine, an alkaloid from ''Boerhaavia diffusa''. ''Immunopharmacology and Immunotoxicology'', 31(3), 377–387. https://doi.org/10.1080/08923970802702036</ref>
=== Cardioprotective & Antihypertensive Effects ===
Its diuretic effect reduces vascular pre-load without inducing severe potassium depletion, while constituent rotenoids demonstrate vasorelaxant activity. Isolated boeravinones exhibit calcium channel-blocking activity, providing a mechanistic basis for its antihypertensive action.<ref name="Lami1991">Lami, N., Kadota, S., & Kikuchi, T. (1991). Constituents of the roots of ''Boerhaavia diffusa'' L. Isolation and structure determination of boeravinones D, E, and F. ''Chemical and Pharmaceutical Bulletin'', 39(7), 1863–1865. https://doi.org/10.1248/cpb.39.1863</ref>
=== Antioxidant & Antidiabetic Activity ===
Free-radical scavenging prevents cellular oxidative stress in endocrine tissues. Administration of leaf extract significantly reduces blood glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin while bolstering endogenous antioxidant enzyme activity in diabetic models.<ref name="Satheesh2004">Satheesh, M. A., & Pari, L. (2004). Antioxidant action of ''Boerhavia diffusa'' L. in tissues of alloxan induced diabetic rats. ''Journal of Medical Food'', 7(4), 472–476. https://doi.org/10.1089/jmf.2004.7.472</ref>
== Dosage & Safety ==
* '''Standard Dosage:''' Churna (root powder): 3–6 g daily; Kwath (decoction): 20–30 mL twice daily.
* '''Safety Profile:''' High margin of safety (oral LD<sub>50</sub> > 2000 mg/kg in acute toxicity rodent studies). Use with monitoring in cardiac patients taking digitalis due to potential diuretic-mediated electrolyte shifts.
== References ==
{{reflist}}


[[Category: Database of herbs and minerals | Herbs]]
==External links==
  This article is under development ..
[https://cb.imsc.res.in/imppat/phytochemical/Boerhavia%20diffusa IMPPAT database]
[[Index.php?title=Category:Database of herbs and minerals|Herbs]]

Latest revision as of 15:39, 18 August 2026


Boerhavia diffusa Linn.

Punarnava
Section/Chapter Herb database/Punarnava
Botanical name(s) Boerhavia diffusa Linn.
Family Nyctaginaceae
Availability Available
Contributors Team Dravyaguna
Year of publication 2026
Publisher Charak Samhita Research, Training and Skill Development Centre
DOI Awaited
Punarnava (Boerhavia diffusa)

Punarnava (Boerhavia diffusa L., family Nyctaginaceae) is a rejuvenative (Rasayana) medicinal plant widely studied for its nephroprotective, hepatoprotective, and immunomodulatory properties.

English name

Spreading hogweed

Therapeutic use

Shotha(oedema), Pandu(Anemia and diseases due to blood deficiency)[1]

Synonyms in Charak Samhita

Punarnava, Shothaghni(reduse oedema), Varshabhu(it is perennial plant gets regenerated during rainy season ), Kshudravarshabhu, Katthillak, Varshaketu(regenerates in varsha rutu), Vrushchira, Kathillaka

Synonyms in Bhavprakash Nighantu

Shwetamula(root is white in colour), Dirghapatrika[2]

Varieties

According to bhavprakash nighantu

  1. Shweta punarnava
  2. Rakta punarnava

According to rajanighantu

Mentioned 3 types[3]

  1. Shweta punarnava
  2. Rakta punarnava
  3. Nila punarnava

Ayurvedic pharmacological properties

Properties
Sr.no. Pharmacological criteria Properties
1 Taste (rasa) Sweet (madhura), Bitter (tikta), Astringent (kashaya)
2 Potency (veerya) Hot (ushna)
3 Post digestion effect (vipaka) Sweet (madhura)
4 Qualities (guna) Light (laghu), Rough (ruksha)
5 Actions (karma) Pacify vata, pitta and kapha

Reference in Charak Samhita and its actions

Herbs and their activities
Sr.no. Reference in Charak Samhita Activity
1 Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 2/12 Asthapana(Herbs used in Therapeutic Enema)
2 Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 4/9(22) Svedopaga mahakashaya(helping dia-phoresis/sudation)
3 Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 4/9(26) Anuvasanopag mahakashaya(unctuous enema)
4 Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 4/9(36) Kasahara mahakashaya (relieving cough)
5 Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 4/9(50) Vayasthapana mahakashaya (anti-ageing)
6 Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 27/96 Shaka Varga(group of vegetables)
7 Cha.Sa.Vimana Sthana 8/135 Vamana dravyani (List of medicines used in therapeutic emesis)
8 Cha.Sa.Vimana Sthana 8/136 Vamana dravyani (List of medicines used in therapeutic emesis)
9 Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 29/103 As an ingredient of Amrutadya taila
10 Cha.Sa.Vimana Sthana 8/136 Virechana Dravya (List of medicines used in therapeutic purgation)
11 Cha.Sa.Vimana Sthana 8/139 Madhura skandha(group of sweet drugs)
12 Cha.Sa.Vimana Sthana 8/143 Tikta skandha(group of bitter drugs)
13 Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 1/1/43 In formulation of Brahma rasayana
14 Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 2/1/26 Ingredient in Bruhaniya Gutika
15 Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 3/267 As an ingredient of Agurvadi taila
16 Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 3/189 As shaka-pathya ahara.
17 Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 29/73 As an ingredient of Jeevakadi mahasneha
18 Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 7/125 Bahyaprayogarth Lepa in Vata-Kaphaja Kushtha
19 Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 8/79 Ingredient in Shira-Parshva–Ansa Shula nashak lepa
20 Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 8/170 Ingredient in Strotosuddhikar Ghrita
21 Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 8/175 As a Utsadan dravya Bahyaprayogarth(external treatment)
22 Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 11/26 Rakta shthivan (treatment of excessive bleeding)
23 Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 11/36 Ingredient in Amrutprash Ghrita
24 Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 11/56 Ingredient in Dvitiya Sarpiguda
25 Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 11/66 Ingredient in Chaturtha Sarpiguda
26 Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 11/36 Ingredient in Amrutprash Ghrita
27 Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 12/22 In treatment of Kaphaja Shvayathu
28 Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 12/23 In treatment of Vataja Shvayathu
29 Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 12/25 In treatment of Vataja Shvayathu
30 Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 12/34 Ingredient in Punarnavadyarishta
31 Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 12/73 As an Unmardan dravya in Kaphaja Shvayathu
32 Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 30/53 As an ingredient of Kashmaryadi ghrita, used in the treatment of Vataja yoni
33 Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 16/93 As an ingredient of Punarnava Mandura
34 Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 16/119 As an ingredient of Vyoshadi Ghrita
35 Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 18/127 As an ingredient of Kantakari ghrita
36 Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 18/177 As an ingredient of Jivantyadi leha
37 Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 23/53 As an ingredient of Kakandadi yoga
38 Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 29/61, 64 As an ingredient of Jeevaniya Ghrita

DOSE

  • 20-30 g of the drug for decoction[4]

Important formulation

As per A.P.I.[5]

  • Punarnavashtak kwatha
  • Punarnavasava
  • Punarnavadi mandura
  • Sukumara ghruta

Current availability

Available

Current researches

Phytochemical Profile

  • Alkaloids: Punarnavine
  • Rotenoids: Boeravinones A through J
  • Flavonoids & Phenols: Quercetin, kaempferol, and caffeic acid derivatives
  • Lignans & Sterols: Liriodendrin, β-sitosterol, and ursolic acid

Therapeutic Efficacy & Pharmacological Evidence

Renoprotective & Diuretic Activity

Punarnava enhances renal clearance, reduces edema, and lowers blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine. Aqueous root extracts significantly attenuate nephrotoxicity by reducing lipid peroxidation and restoring renal superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase levels.[6]

Hepatoprotective Action

Boeravinones and flavonoids protect hepatic parenchyma against toxic insults and normalize elevated liver enzymes (ALT, AST, ALP). Root extracts markedly prevent carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatotoxicity, preserving intracellular glycogen levels and liver cytoarchitecture.[7]

Anti-Inflammatory & Immunomodulatory Effects

The herb inhibits pro-inflammatory cascades by suppressing NF-κB activation and downregulating cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6. Isolated punarnavine enhances cell-mediated immunity, increases total white blood cell count, and inhibits tumor-directed angiogenesis.[8]

Cardioprotective & Antihypertensive Effects

Its diuretic effect reduces vascular pre-load without inducing severe potassium depletion, while constituent rotenoids demonstrate vasorelaxant activity. Isolated boeravinones exhibit calcium channel-blocking activity, providing a mechanistic basis for its antihypertensive action.[9]

Antioxidant & Antidiabetic Activity

Free-radical scavenging prevents cellular oxidative stress in endocrine tissues. Administration of leaf extract significantly reduces blood glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin while bolstering endogenous antioxidant enzyme activity in diabetic models.[10]

Dosage & Safety

  • Standard Dosage: Churna (root powder): 3–6 g daily; Kwath (decoction): 20–30 mL twice daily.
  • Safety Profile: High margin of safety (oral LD50 > 2000 mg/kg in acute toxicity rodent studies). Use with monitoring in cardiac patients taking digitalis due to potential diuretic-mediated electrolyte shifts.

References

  1. ↑ Anonymous. The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. Department of Ayush, Ministry of Health and Family welfare, Govt. of India, New Delhi, Part I. 1986; Volume 1:60
  2. ↑ Shri Bhavamishra, Bhavaprakash Nighantu, guduchyadi Varga, Verse no. 231, Edited by Padmashree Pro. Krushnachandra Chunekar, Reprint Edition, Chaukhambha Bharati Academy, 2020;
  3. ↑ Dr. Indradev Tripathi , Raja Nighantu of pandit Narhari, ed.2016, Chaukhambha Krishnadas Academy, Varanasi ,parpatadi varga verse 116,120,122
  4. ↑ Anonymous. The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. Department of Ayush, Ministry of Health and Family welfare, Govt. of India, New Delhi, Part I. 1986; Volume 1:60
  5. ↑ Anonymous. The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. Department of Ayush, Ministry of Health and Family welfare, Govt. of India, New Delhi, Part I. 1986; Volume 1:60
  6. ↑ Pareta, S. K., Patra, K. C., Mazumder, P. M., & Sasmal, D. (2011). Aqueous extract of Boerhaavia diffusa root ameliorates ethylene glycol-induced hyperoxaluric oxidative stress and renal injury in rat kidney. Pharmaceutical Biology, 49(12), 1224–1233. https://doi.org/10.3109/13880209.2011.581671
  7. ↑ Rawat, A. K. S., Mehrotra, S., Tripathi, S. C., & Shome, U. (1997). Hepatoprotective activity of Boerhaavia diffusa L. roots – a popular Indian ethnomedicine. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 56(1), 61–66. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0378-8741(96)01507-3
  8. ↑ Manu, K. A., & Kuttan, G. (2009). Immunomodulatory activities of Punarnavine, an alkaloid from Boerhaavia diffusa. Immunopharmacology and Immunotoxicology, 31(3), 377–387. https://doi.org/10.1080/08923970802702036
  9. ↑ Lami, N., Kadota, S., & Kikuchi, T. (1991). Constituents of the roots of Boerhaavia diffusa L. Isolation and structure determination of boeravinones D, E, and F. Chemical and Pharmaceutical Bulletin, 39(7), 1863–1865. https://doi.org/10.1248/cpb.39.1863
  10. ↑ Satheesh, M. A., & Pari, L. (2004). Antioxidant action of Boerhavia diffusa L. in tissues of alloxan induced diabetic rats. Journal of Medical Food, 7(4), 472–476. https://doi.org/10.1089/jmf.2004.7.472

External links

IMPPAT database Herbs

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