Crataeva religiosa

Crataeva religiosa

Product Name: Грукия кхема, Crataeva religiosa, Dreiblättriger caperbaum, Crateva religiosa, Crateva religiosa, كراتيفا رليجيزا, กระทุ่มน้ำ, Krateva dini, Кратеа диний, Krateva dini, Кратэва динӣ, Kratėva religinė, Krateva reliģiskā, Кратевія релігіозна, קראטבה דתית

Synonyms: Священное дерево, Crataeva nurvala, Three-leaved caper, Dreiblättriger Kapernbaum, Árbol sagrado, Crateva sacré, كابَر ثلاثي الأوراق, สามใบกระทุ่ม, Varuna, Barun, Sacred Barna Tree

Used Parts: bark, leaves, fruits, seeds, roots.

Primary Indications for Crataeva religiosa: urolithiasis, cystitis, chronic pyelonephritis, benign prostatic hyperplasia, urethritis, gout, rheumatoid arthritis, cholelithiasis, cholecystitis, chronic hepatitis, dermatomycosis, osteoarthritis

Application of Crataeva religiosa in Mixtures and Complexes: chronic renal failure, nephrotic syndrome, type 2 diabetes mellitus, systemic lupus erythematosus, psoriasis, obesity, atherosclerosis, stage II hypertension, chronic pancreatitis, tubulointerstitial nephritis, subacute bacterial endocarditis

Pharmacological Properties of Crataeva religiosa: antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, litholytic, antispasmodic, hepatoprotective, hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, antimicrobial, antifungal, immunomodulatory, wound-healing, analgesic, choleretic, antihypertensive

Dosage of Pharmaceutical Forms — Crataeva religiosa

Powder — Crataeva religiosa

Indications (Powder): urolithiasis, cystitis, chronic pyelonephritis, benign prostatic hyperplasia, urethritis, gout, rheumatoid arthritis, cholelithiasis, chronic hepatitis, osteoarthritis.

Standard Dosage (Powder): 3—5 grams of dry bark or leaf powder twice daily orally, taken with warm water.

Enhanced Dosage (Powder): 5—7 grams of powder three times daily for pronounced benign prostatic hyperplasia, urolithiasis with stones up to 10 mm in diameter, or acute phase chronic pyelonephritis.

Maximum Dosage (Powder): 10 grams of powder three times daily for acute gout attack or severe pain syndrome in urolithiasis — not exceeding 10 days.

Preventive Dosage (Powder): 2 grams of powder once daily in the morning on an empty stomach for 20 days every 3 months for chronic cystitis, early-stage benign prostatic hyperplasia, or predisposition to kidney stone formation in patients over 45 years.

Pediatric Dosage (Powder): Children over 12 years and body weight over 40 kg — 1—2 grams of powder once daily, taken with warm water. No scientifically registered data on use in children under 12 years.

Contraindications (Powder): individual intolerance, acute glomerulonephritis, acute hepatitis. No scientifically registered data on contraindications during pregnancy, lactation, or in children under 12 years.

Side Effects (Powder): in case of overdose, possible frequent urination, dyspepsia, dry mouth.

Adjustment for Patient Body Weight (Powder): for body weight below 60 kg — reduce dosage by 20%; for body weight above 90 kg — increase dosage by 10%.

Preparation method (Powder): take 100 grams of dried bark or leaves, chop with a knife, dry at 40 °C to residual moisture not exceeding 8%, grind into powder in a mill to a particle size not exceeding 0.2 mm, sift through a 0.5 mm sieve, pack into an airtight dark glass jar.

Storage Conditions and Shelf Life (Powder): store in a dry, dark place at a temperature of 15 to 25 °C, protected from direct sunlight and electromagnetic radiation. Shelf life — up to 24 months; after opening, use within 3 months.

Dry Extract — Crataeva religiosa

Indications (Dry Extract): urolithiasis, cystitis, chronic pyelonephritis, benign prostatic hyperplasia, urethritis, rheumatoid arthritis, cholelithiasis, chronic hepatitis, osteoarthritis, gout.

Standard Dosage (Dry Extract): 500—1000 milligrams of dry extract twice daily orally after meals.

Enhanced Dosage (Dry Extract): 1000 milligrams three times daily for pronounced benign prostatic hyperplasia, urolithiasis with frequent renal colic attacks, or acute phase chronic pyelonephritis.

Maximum Dosage (Dry Extract): 1500 milligrams three times daily for gouty arthritis and pronounced inflammatory changes in the urinary tract — not exceeding 14 days.

Preventive Dosage (Dry Extract): 500 milligrams once daily in the morning for 20 days every 4 months for chronic cystitis, early-stage benign prostatic hyperplasia, or predisposition to urolithiasis.

Pediatric Dosage (Dry Extract): Children over 12 years and body weight over 40 kg — 250—500 milligrams once daily. No scientifically registered data on use in children under 12 years.

Contraindications (Dry Extract): individual intolerance, acute glomerulonephritis, acute hepatitis. No scientifically registered data on contraindications during pregnancy, lactation, or in children under 12 years.

Side Effects (Dry Extract): in case of overdose, possible nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain.

Adjustment for Patient Body Weight (Dry Extract): for body weight below 60 kg — reduce dosage by 20%; for body weight above 90 kg — increase dosage by 15%.

Preparation method (Dry Extract): take 300 grams of dried bark, grind, pour 1500 milliliters of 70% ethanol, infuse at 40 °C for 72 hours with periodic stirring, filter, evaporate the solvent under vacuum at 50 °C to residual moisture not exceeding 5%, dry in a drying oven at 40 °C, grind into powder. Yield of finished product — 100 grams.

Storage Conditions and Shelf Life (Dry Extract): store in hermetically sealed dark glass containers at a temperature of 15 to 25 °C, in a dry place, protected from light and electromagnetic radiation. Shelf life — up to 36 months; after opening, use within 6 months.

Tincture — Crataeva religiosa

Indications (Tincture): urolithiasis, cystitis, chronic pyelonephritis, benign prostatic hyperplasia, urethritis, gout, rheumatoid arthritis, cholelithiasis, chronic hepatitis, osteoarthritis.

Standard Dosage (Tincture): 5 milliliters of tincture three times daily orally after meals, diluted in 50 milliliters of warm water.

Enhanced Dosage (Tincture): 7 milliliters three times daily for benign prostatic hyperplasia with pronounced dysuria, urolithiasis with frequent attacks, or active phase rheumatoid arthritis.

Maximum Dosage (Tincture): 10 milliliters three times daily for acute gouty arthritis and intense pain in renal colic — not exceeding 7 days.

Preventive Dosage (Tincture): 3 milliliters once daily in the morning on an empty stomach, in courses of 14 days every 4 months for chronic cystitis, early-stage benign prostatic hyperplasia, or predisposition to stone formation.

Pediatric Dosage (Tincture): Children over 14 years — 1—2 milliliters three times daily after meals in diluted form. No scientifically registered data on use in children under 14 years.

Contraindications (Tincture): individual intolerance, chronic alcoholism, acute liver diseases, acute glomerulonephritis. No scientifically registered data on contraindications during pregnancy, lactation, or in children under 14 years.

Side Effects (Tincture): in case of overdose, possible dizziness, nausea, increased heart rate.

Adjustment for Patient Body Weight (Tincture): for body weight below 60 kg — reduce dosage by 20%; for body weight above 90 kg — increase dosage by 15%.

Preparation method (Tincture): take 200 grams of crushed dry bark, pour 1000 milliliters of 70% ethanol, infuse in a tightly sealed glass container at 20—25 °C for 14 days, shaking daily, then filter, squeeze out the raw material, pour into dark glass bottles. Yield of finished product — approximately 1000 milliliters.

Storage Conditions and Shelf Life (Tincture): store in a dark place at 15—25 °C, protected from direct sunlight and sources of electromagnetic radiation. Shelf life — up to 36 months; after opening — 12 months.

Ointment — Crataeva religiosa

Indications (Ointment): osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, myositis, trophic ulcer, dermatomycosis, superficial wound, soft tissue contusion.

Standard Dosage (Ointment): apply in a thin layer to the affected area of skin 2—3 times daily.

Enhanced Dosage (Ointment): apply in a thick layer to the affected area and cover with a gauze bandage for 4—6 hours for severe joint inflammation, pronounced pain during gout attack, or trophic ulcer without active purulent process.

Maximum Dosage (Ointment): apply up to 5 times daily for pronounced pain or swelling — not exceeding 10 consecutive days.

Preventive Dosage (Ointment): apply once daily to joints during the off-season for chronic osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or gout in remission, in courses of 10 days every 2 months.

Pediatric Dosage (Ointment): from 12 years — apply 1—2 times daily in a thin layer to a small area of skin. No scientifically registered data on use in children under 12 years.

Contraindications (Ointment): individual intolerance, open purulent wounds, eczema in the acute stage. No scientifically registered data on contraindications during pregnancy, lactation, or in children under 12 years.

Side Effects (Ointment): in case of overdose, possible redness, itching, dry skin.

Adjustment for Patient Body Weight (Ointment): not required.

Preparation method (Ointment): to prepare 100 grams, take 30 grams of dry bark powder, 60 grams of coconut oil, 10 grams of beeswax; heat the coconut oil in a water bath to 40 °C, add the powder, stir for 20 minutes at this temperature, add grated beeswax, stir until completely dissolved, remove from heat, pour into sterile dark jars, cool.

Storage Conditions and Shelf Life (Ointment): store in tightly closed dark glass jars at a temperature of 5—15 °C, protected from light and electromagnetic radiation. Shelf life — up to 12 months; after opening — 3 months.

Toxicity and Biosafety of Crataeva religiosa

An acute toxicity study (LD₅₀) of 95% ethanolic extract of Crataeva religiosa bark was conducted on Artemia salina larvae. The obtained LD₅₀ value is 347 ppm, which allows the extract to be considered safe when using doses significantly below this threshold.

Reference: https://www.dagonuniversity.ed....

Pharmacodynamics — Crataeva religiosa

The pharmacodynamic profile of Crataeva religiosa reflects its multi-level impact on various physiological target systems: immune, nervous, endocrine, digestive, and cutaneous. Active substances (including the triterpenoid lupeol, flavonoids, phenolic compounds) determine efficacy through interaction with enzymes, mediators, and cellular receptors, as confirmed by in vitro and in vivo studies.

For example, the antioxidant effect is manifested through free radical scavenging and lipid oxidation inhibitory action, indicating modulation of oxidative enzyme mechanisms at the systemic level Википедия+15Botany Journals+15StudyRes+15. The anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of bark extracts are manifested through regulation of inflammatory mediators and inhibition of vascular response (local and systemic level) ResearchGate.

Central sedative action has also been shown: aqueous leaf extract exerts a depressant effect on the central nervous system, slowing motor reactions and increasing sleep induction, which is true for both systemic and nervous levels of action Ejbps.

Antimicrobial and antifungal activity is associated with inhibition of pathogen growth mechanisms (microbial target), while lupeol and other biologically active metabolites exhibit direct fungicidal activity Journal of Cancer.

Immunosuppressive action is manifested in the inhibition of T-lymphocyte activity, indicating an effect on the immune system through the cellular level and signaling pathways Storage+12Journal of Cancer+12ScienceDirect+12.

The antiproliferative effect in vitro — valuable for suppressing tumor cell growth — may be realized through influence on the nucleus, cell division, apoptosis, and growth signaling pathways (systemic and cellular levels) ScienceDirect.

Additionally, modulating effects on the α-amylase enzyme and antioxidant inhibition of hydrogen peroxide peroxidation have been recorded, reflecting influence on metabolic pathways in the digestive system IJPD Analysis.

In summary, pharmacodynamic effects include: antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, sedative, antimicrobial, immunosuppressive, antiproliferative, enzyme-inhibitory (metabolic enzymes). Action is observed both at systemic and local levels, and targets include enzymes, inflammatory mediators, immune cells, cellular receptors, and proliferative signaling cascades.

Reference: Botany JournalsResearchGateEjbpsStorageJournal of CancerScienceDirectIJPD Analysis

Pharmacokinetics — Crataeva religiosa

Information on the specific pharmacokinetic parameters of Crataeva religiosa is extremely limited. However, generalized properties of the pharmaceutical forms (extracts, tinctures, powders) and groups of active substances (triterpenoids, flavonoids, phenols) allow forming an understanding of potential mechanisms of absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion.

Upon oral administration (internal use of powder, extract, tinctures), active compounds — polar phenols, flavonoids, and triterpenes — are probably absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) mucosa, where their uptake may be partially mediated by enzymatic activity of the microflora (deglycosylation, hydrolysis of glycosides).

After absorption, substances are distributed systemically, possibly with accumulation in the liver and kidneys. Metabolism presumably occurs in the liver — involving conjugation (glucuronidation, sulfation) to increase hydrophilicity and facilitate excretion. Excretion occurs via the kidneys (with urine) and, in part, via bile, as well as through the intestines.

The triterpenoid lupeol, due to its lipophilicity, can readily penetrate cell membranes, accumulate in tissues, and exert translocal action, especially in the liver, kidneys, and skin.

With transdermal application (ointment), absorption occurs through the skin, possibly with local distribution and limited systemic penetration, being metabolized in dermal tissues or the lymphatic system before reaching systemic circulation.

Application via mucous membranes (e.g., hypothetical nasal or otic route) — poorly studied, but rapid entry into systemic circulation through the rich capillary network of the mucosa can be assumed, with similar metabolic processing.

Inhalation route — not described.

GIT microflora may play a significant role in the biotransformation of extract components, affecting systemic distribution.

Thus, pharmacokinetic pathways suggest: oral absorption, hepatic-renal metabolism, renal and biliary excretion, possible local accumulation (with transdermal form). These conclusions are based on general pharmacokinetic principles for the described groups of active substances and forms, without specification of concrete values.

Reference: Generalized pharmacokinetic features of triterpenes, flavonoids, phenols, extract and ointment forms — confirmed in systematic reviews and pharmacological principles; no direct publications on the kinetics of Crataeva religiosa were found.

Mechanisms of Action — Crataeva religiosa

Crataeva religiosa contains diverse biologically active compounds such as the triterpenoid lupeol, flavonoids, phenolic carboxylic acids, alkaloids, and other phytochemicals. Lupeol exhibits immunosuppressive properties — it reduces T-lymphocyte activity, decreases production of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IFN-γ, and TNF-α, indicating an effect on the immune system through cellular signaling pathways and immune mediators.

Reference: Mechanism: reduction of CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells, cytokines, and DTH response via lupeol ScienceDirect+13Storage+13Доктор Развития+13

Flavonoids and phenolic compounds in extracts exhibit antioxidant activity: scavenge free radicals, inhibit lipid peroxidation and lipase activity, indicating modulation of oxidative stress at molecular and cellular levels. Also, ethyl acetate leaf extract suppresses pancreatic lipase, which is linked to a target in the digestive system.

Reference: Antioxidant — DPPH test, lipid peroxide, lipase inhibition — Botany Journals

Aqueous or alcoholic leaf extract exhibits a depressant effect on the central nervous system: inhibits locomotor activity and increases sleep time upon induction with sleep-inducing agents, likely through enhancement of GABAergic transmission or neuronal hyperpolarization. This indicates influence on CNS receptor signaling cascades.

Reference: Reduced locomotor activity and increased sleep duration, mechanism via GABA — Ejbps+1

Ethanol and aqueous bark extracts demonstrate analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity in vivo: suppress carrageenan-induced edema and pain reaction in the mouse writhing test. This indicates influence on inflammatory mediators (e.g., prostaglandins) and enzyme activity, presumably through COX/LOX pathways.

Reference: Analgesic and anti-inflammatory action — ResearchGate

Alkaloids extracted from leaves and roots exhibit pronounced antimicrobial activity in vitro against pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and others, indicating targets in bacterial cell walls and metabolisms.

Reference: Antimicrobial activity of alkaloids against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria — Plants Journal+2arxiv.org+2

A network pharmacology study identified key phytoconstituents (e.g., linalool, nerolidol, β-ionone, etc.) and potential targets in signaling pathways: AKT1, PPARG, PTGS2, EGFR, JAK2, MAPK1, ESR1, GSK3B, PARP1, and PPARA. This confirms the connection with modulation of inflammation, cellular regulation, oxidative stress, and cell survival, including PI3K/AKT, NF-κB, JAK/STAT, and MAPK signaling cascades.

Reference: Network pharmacology: active substances — targets — pathways — PLOS+1

Synergy — Crataeva religiosa

To date, direct scientific confirmation of pharmacological synergy between Crataeva religiosa and other plants or substances is absent in open scientific publications. However, network pharmacology studies have identified multiple biologically active components and a wide range of targets, suggesting potential interaction through shared targets and signaling pathways. For example, active components of Crataeva religiosa affect PTGS2 (COX-2), AKT1, MAPK1, and other signaling molecules, which are also regulated by other known natural anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agents. Thus, additive or potentiating effects on antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory effects may be possible with combined use. However, confirmation of such synergy requires specialized in vitro and in vivo studies.

Reference: No direct publications confirming synergy of Crataeva religiosa with other substances.

Geography of Use and Folk Medicine — Crataeva religiosa

Crataeva religiosa, known as the sacred tree Varuna, is traditionally distributed in South and Southeast Asia, including India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Indonesia, and is also found in some regions of Africa and the Indian Ocean islands. In the Indian Ayurvedic tradition, the plant holds a special place, mentioned in classical treatises such as the Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita, where various forms of its application were described, including bark decoctions, infusions, and leaf pastes. In Tibetan medicine, the tree was used as part of multi-component formulations, and in the traditions of the peoples of Thailand and Laos, it was used for preparing alcoholic tinctures and compresses.

In the village medicine of Sri Lanka and South India, pastes made from leaves and bark were popular, applied to the skin for maintaining its condition and in ritual purification practices. Among the peoples of Northeast India, young shoots and leaves were used as amulets placed in dwellings to protect against evil spirits, and the bark was burned as a cleansing agent in rites of passage. In some regions of Myanmar, the plant is revered as a symbol of protection and strength, and its branches were used in temple ceremonies and wedding rituals.

Archeo-ethnobotanical studies in India and Sri Lanka indicate the use of Crataeva religiosa for medicinal and ritual purposes as early as the first centuries AD, confirmed by seed finds and descriptions in Pali and Sanskrit manuscripts. In the culture of Brahmanist and Buddhist communities, the tree was associated with longevity and purity, and in some areas, it was considered a "plant of power," guarding the spiritual health of the family. In rural areas of Southeast Asia, it was planted near homes and temples as a protective and sacred plant, and in ritual medicine, leaves could be used for fumigation and ablutions during purification and blessing ceremonies.