Indrayava
Also known as: Indrayava, Kurchi seed, Holarrhena antidysenterica
Overview
Indrayava refers to the seeds of Holarrhena antidysenterica, a plant traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine. It is primarily recognized for its potential in managing gastrointestinal ailments and diabetes. The seeds possess astringent and febrifuge properties. While historically used for conditions like bleeding piles, diarrhea, eczema, fever, and colic, its modern investigation focuses on its anti-diabetic potential, particularly for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Research on Indrayava is currently limited, consisting mainly of case studies and some pharmacological investigations. It is often consumed as a preparation of seeds soaked overnight. Despite its mention in systematic reviews of Ayurvedic medicines for T2DM, extensive specific data on Indrayava's efficacy and safety from high-quality clinical trials is scarce.
Benefits
Indrayava has shown preliminary evidence of anti-diabetic effects. A case study reported that daily administration of 10g of Indrayava seeds, soaked overnight, for 48 days significantly reduced fasting blood glucose (from >500 mg/dl to 108 mg/dl), postprandial blood sugar (to 150 mg/dl), and HbA1c (to 7.0%) in a patient with severe hyperglycemia. This was also accompanied by improved triglyceride levels and overall vitality. The strength of this evidence is low, as it comes from a single case report without a control group. Acute toxicity studies in animal models suggest a low acute toxicity profile, with an LD50 greater than 3000 mg/kg, indicating general safety at high doses in animals. However, population-specific benefits and quantitative effect sizes are not established due to the lack of large-scale randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or meta-analyses. The observed benefits in the case report emerged over approximately 48 days.
How it works
The precise molecular mechanisms by which Indrayava exerts its effects, particularly its anti-diabetic activity, are not yet fully understood or well-documented. Pharmacological studies suggest that it may contribute to blood glucose reduction, but the specific biological pathways or molecular targets involved have not been clearly elucidated. There is currently no detailed information available regarding its interaction with specific body systems, nor have its bioavailability and absorption characteristics been clearly defined in human studies. Further research is needed to clarify the exact mechanisms of action.
Side effects
Based on available limited data, Indrayava appears to have a favorable safety profile. Acute toxicity studies in animal models indicate a low acute toxicity, with an LD50 greater than 3000 mg/kg. A case study involving a patient with severe hyperglycemia reported no adverse biochemical or hematological changes during 48 days of use. Common side effects have not been reported in the existing studies. However, due to the limited number of clinical trials and the absence of large-scale studies, data on uncommon or rare side effects are lacking. Specific drug interactions have not been studied, although there is a high prevalence of concomitant use with conventional anti-diabetic drugs in India. Caution is advised when combining Indrayava with other medications, and medical supervision is recommended. Contraindications have not been established, and there is no specific safety data available for special populations such as pregnant women, children, or individuals with pre-existing conditions.
Dosage
The only available clinical data on Indrayava dosage comes from a case study, which utilized 10 grams of Indrayava seeds. These seeds were soaked overnight in 80 ml of water and consumed daily for a period of 48 days. There is currently no established minimum effective dose or maximum safe dose derived from randomized controlled trials. Specific recommendations regarding timing of administration, beyond the traditional overnight soaking method, are not available. Furthermore, different dosages for various purposes have not been determined, nor have absorption factors or cofactors been characterized. Due to the limited research, upper limits and safety thresholds for human consumption are not yet defined.
FAQs
Is Indrayava safe to use with conventional diabetes medications?
While there is a high prevalence of concomitant use of Indrayava with conventional anti-diabetic drugs in India, specific interaction studies are lacking. Medical supervision is strongly recommended if considering combined use.
How soon can effects be expected?
A case report suggested that glycemic improvements were observed over approximately 1.5 months (48 days) of consistent use. However, this is based on very limited data.
Is there strong clinical evidence supporting its use?
Evidence for Indrayava's efficacy is currently limited to case studies and preclinical data. There are no high-quality randomized controlled trials or meta-analyses specifically on Indrayava to provide strong clinical evidence.
Can it replace conventional therapy for diabetes?
No, there is insufficient evidence to recommend Indrayava as a standalone treatment for diabetes. It should not replace conventional medical therapy.
Research Sources
- https://www.omicsonline.org/open-access-pdfs/effect-of-indrayava-holarrhena-antidysenterica-seed-on-inpatient-uncomplicated-severe-hyperglycaemia-a-case-study-2167-1206.1000126.pdf – This case study investigated the effect of Indrayava seeds on a patient with severe hyperglycemia. The patient showed significant reductions in fasting and postprandial blood glucose, and HbA1c after 48 days of treatment, with no reported adverse effects. The study provides preliminary evidence of anti-diabetic potential but is limited by its single-case design.
- https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pharmacology/articles/10.3389/fphar.2022.821810/full – This systematic review and meta-analysis examined various Ayurvedic medicines for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. It concluded that Ayurvedic medicines are generally safe with mild gastrointestinal side effects, but their effectiveness varies. While Indrayava is mentioned among other herbs, the review did not provide specific efficacy data for Indrayava itself, highlighting a gap in research.
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8614209/ – This cross-sectional survey investigated the concomitant use of Ayurvedic medicines, including Indrayava, with conventional drugs among diabetic patients in India. It revealed a high prevalence of such combined use but also highlighted a lack of physician awareness regarding these practices. The study focuses on usage patterns rather than efficacy or safety outcomes.