Indian Kino Bark And Heartwood Extract
Also known as: Indian Kino, Bijasar, Vijaysar, Pterocarpus marsupium
Overview
Pterocarpus marsupium, commonly known as Indian Kino, is a tree native to India. Its bark and heartwood extracts have been traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine for a variety of ailments, including diabetes, inflammation, cardiovascular conditions, and infections. The extracts are rich in bioactive compounds such as flavonoids (e.g., quercetin), phenols, terpenoids, and pterocarpol, which are believed to contribute to its diverse pharmacological effects. This supplement is primarily recognized for its antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, cardiotonic, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties. While numerous in vitro and animal studies support these traditional uses, human clinical trials are sparse, indicating a moderate level of research maturity and a need for further validation.
Benefits
Pterocarpus marsupium extracts offer several evidence-based benefits, primarily supported by preclinical studies. Its most notable benefit is its **antidiabetic effect**, where it has been shown to reduce blood glucose levels, improve insulin sensitivity, and enhance glucose uptake in liver cells (HepG2) by mitigating oxidative stress. For instance, methanolic heartwood extract significantly improved glucose uptake in HepG2 cells at concentrations as low as 93.75 µg/mL. The extracts also exhibit significant **anti-inflammatory activity** in animal models at doses around 100 mg/kg. Furthermore, they demonstrate **hepatoprotective properties**, with methanolic extracts at 100-300 mg/kg reducing oxidative liver damage and normalizing biochemical markers in rats. **Cardiotonic effects**, including positive inotropic effects and reduction of hyperlipidemia, have been observed in animal studies. The extracts also possess **antimicrobial activity** against common pathogens like *Staphylococcus aureus*, *Escherichia coli*, and *Salmonella typhi*. Lastly, *P. marsupium* shows moderate **antioxidant activity**, with a bark extract IC50 of 53 µg/mL for free radical scavenging, comparable to ascorbic acid.
How it works
The primary mechanism of action for Pterocarpus marsupium extracts involves the **reduction of oxidative stress**. Its rich content of antioxidant compounds, such as flavonoids and phenols, helps to scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS), thereby protecting cells from damage. In the context of diabetes, these extracts appear to improve insulin signaling and glucose uptake, potentially by sensitizing liver cells to insulin and reducing apoptosis. The anti-inflammatory effects are likely mediated through the inhibition of pro-inflammatory mediators, although the specific molecular targets require further investigation. Cardioprotective effects may be linked to the modulation of cardiac contractility and lipid metabolism, contributing to overall cardiovascular health.
Side effects
Pterocarpus marsupium extracts generally appear safe at the doses studied in animal models and in vitro, with no significant toxicity reported in the reviewed literature. However, due to the limited number of human clinical trials, common side effects are not well documented. There are no major drug interactions or contraindications explicitly reported, but caution is strongly advised due to its potential **hypoglycemic effects**. When combined with conventional antidiabetic medications, *P. marsupium* could lead to an additive effect, potentially causing blood sugar levels to drop too low (hypoglycemia), necessitating medical supervision. Furthermore, safety data for special populations, such as pregnant or lactating individuals and children, are insufficient, and its use in these groups is not recommended without professional medical advice. Comprehensive safety warnings and long-term effects in humans remain largely unstudied.
Dosage
Currently, there are no established human dosing guidelines for Pterocarpus marsupium extracts due to the lack of sufficient clinical trials. Preclinical animal studies have utilized doses ranging from 100 to 500 mg/kg for demonstrating anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, and hepatoprotective effects. In vitro studies, which assess cellular responses, found effective concentrations for improving glucose uptake to be around 23–94 µg/mL. These concentrations are not directly translatable to human oral dosages. Without robust human clinical data, defining minimum effective and maximum safe doses for human consumption is not possible. Therefore, any use of *P. marsupium* as a supplement should be approached with caution and under the guidance of a healthcare professional, especially given its potential to affect blood glucose levels.
FAQs
Is it safe for diabetes management?
Preliminary evidence from preclinical studies supports its antidiabetic potential. However, human clinical trials are needed to confirm efficacy and safety for diabetes management in humans.
How fast do effects appear?
Animal studies suggest effects can appear within hours to days. In vitro studies show cellular effects at specific concentrations, but this doesn't directly translate to human onset.
Can it be combined with other medications?
Due to potential hypoglycemic effects, combining it with antidiabetic medications warrants medical supervision to avoid dangerously low blood sugar.
Are there standardized extracts?
Variability in preparation exists. Standardization of active compounds is crucial for consistent effects, but widely accepted standards are not yet common.
Research Sources
- https://www.ijpsjournal.com/assetsbackoffice/uploads/article/Phytopharmacological+Properties+of+Pterocarpus+Marsupium+Roxb+Indian+Kino+A+Review+.pdf – This review consolidates preclinical findings on Pterocarpus marsupium, confirming its anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, and cardiotonic effects. It highlights the need for human clinical studies to validate these findings.
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9607431/ – This in vitro study demonstrated that methanolic heartwood extract of Pterocarpus marsupium reduced oxidative stress and significantly improved glucose uptake in HepG2 cells at 93.75 µg/mL, suggesting a cellular mechanism for its antidiabetic properties.
- https://phcogrev.com/sites/default/files/PhcogRev-3-6-359.pdf – This review primarily focuses on animal studies, indicating that aqueous extracts of Pterocarpus marsupium can prevent insulin resistance, reduce lipid levels, and exhibit cardiotonic activity. It supports traditional uses but emphasizes the lack of human clinical trials.
- https://eijppr.com/storage/models/article/FZRBAw2dFzhFYS0NiIj0iZGcTWgcIbX7vCkkQHZNFZCYWxNZ0FVKfzpUgr59/systemic-review-pharmacognosy-phytochemistry-pharmacology-and-clinical-applications-of-pterocarpus.pdf – This systematic review, based on animal and in vitro studies, confirms multiple pharmacological activities of Pterocarpus marsupium, including antidiarrheal, hepatoprotective, and antimicrobial effects. It notes the absence of human randomized controlled trials.