Mula Education Society’s College of Pharmacy, Sonai, Ahilyanagar, Maharashtra, India..
Randia dumetorum is an important medicinal plant known for its traditional therapeutic uses. The plant contains various phytochemicals such as flavonoids, tannins, saponins, glycosides, and phenolic compounds that possess antioxidant and hepatoprotective activities. Liver damage caused by toxins, drugs, and oxidative stress is a major health problem worldwide. Studies have reported that Randia dumetorum helps protect liver cells by reducing oxidative stress and improving liver function markers. This review summarizes the phytochemical constituents and hepatoprotective potential of Randia dumetorum and highlights its importance as a natural source for liver protective agents
Randia dumetorum is a medicinal plant belonging to the family Rubiaceae and is widely used in traditional medicine for treating various diseases. The plant contains important bioactive compounds including flavonoids, phenols, tannins, and saponins. These compounds exhibit antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that help in protecting the liver from toxic damage. Liver disorders caused by drugs, alcohol, and chemicals are increasing globally, creating a need for safer herbal medicines. Experimental studies suggest that Randia dumetorum shows significant hepatoprotective activity by reducing oxidative stress and restoring normal liver function. Therefore, the plant has gained attention as a potential natural hepatoprotective agent.
REGIONAL AND OTHER NAMES
Arabic: Jauzulaki, Jijul kai
Asam : Behmona
Bengali : Mainphal
English : Emetic nut tree
Gujarati : Mindhal, Mindhola, Midhola
Hindi : Mainphal, Madan
Malyalam : Kara
Marathi : Ghela, Peralu, Mindhal, Wagatta, Gelphal
Oria : Palova
Tamil : Marukkalanka1y, Madkarai
Telugu : Manga
Unani: Jauzulaki (Kirtikar et al., 1991)
AYURVEDIC DESCRIPTION
Botanical name:Randia dumetorum
Sanskrit name: Madana, Vamanaphala, Teevragandhi
Synonyms :Catunaregam spinosa(Thumb.) Tirveng.
Properties: Rasa :Kashaya, Tikta,
Guna:Guru
Virya :Ushna
Vipaka:Katu karma
Karma (Actions):
Plant pacifies vitiated pitta, kapha, Cough, skin diseases, ulcers, asthma, Flatulence, colic, and is widely used as a Medicine for emesis therapy in Ayurveda.
Therapeutic uses:
Fruit:
It cures abscess, ulcers, inflammation, Wounds, tumours, skin diseases and Have antibacterial activity. The pulp of Fruit is believed by many practitioners To also have anthelmintic properties, And also used as an abortiffcient as Folklore remedy(Agrawal et al., 1999).
Bark:
The bark is astringent and is given in Cases of diarrhoea and dysentery(Chopra, et al., 1956) . It is Administered internally and applied Externally in the form of paste in Rheumatism and to relieve pain of Bruises and boneaches during fevers and To disperse abscesses. The aqueous Extract of the root bark of the tree is Used as an active insecticide (Dastur et Al., 1962)
Plant Profile
Botanical Name :Randia dumetorum Lam.
Synonym:Catunaregam spinosa
Family:Rubiaceae
Common Names:Madanphal, Mainphal
Plant Type:Thorny shrub/small tree
Distribution:India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh
Useful Parts:Fruits, leaves, bark, roots
Chemical Constituents:
Bark:
Root bark of Randia dumetorum contains triterpene, -1-Keto-3-hydroxyoleanane.Bark of Randia dumetorum contains mannitol, saponins, Coumarin glycosides.
Leaf:
Leaves contain an iridoid-10-methylixoside. An iridoid Glycoside from leaves of Ramdia dumetorum (Sati et al.
1986).
Fruit:
Ripe fruit contains glycosides, randioside A, mollisidial Triterpenoid glycosides and randianin, six saponinsdumetoronins A to F (Agrawal et al., 1999).Saponins named as dumentoronin from fruit pulp of Randia Dumetorum Dumetoronin A, B, C,D, E and F etc. A Hemolytic triterpenoid saponins that is Randianin, from fruit Of R. dumetorum (Subramaniam et al., 1989)
Morphology and Macroscopy
A large deciduous thorny shrub grows up to 5 meters of Height. Leaves simple, obovate, wrinkled, shiny and pubescent. Flowers white, fragrant, solitary, seen on at the end of short Branches. Fruits globose, smooth berries with longitudinal ribs; Yellow when ripe. Seeds many, compressed, embedded in the dark Fetid pulp. Fruit, 1.8-4.5 cm long, globose or broadly ovoid, Longitudinally ribbed or smooth yellowish-brown, crowned with Persistent calyx-limb, fruit, contains numerous seeds, 0.4-0.6 cm Long, compressed, smooth, brown and very hard (Kirtikar et al., 1991)
Macroscopy of Randia dumetorum
Color: Yellowish to brown
Shape: Round fruit with thorny stem
Odor: Characteristic odor
Taste: Bitter and astringent
Surface: Rough and hard outer surface
Size: Medium-sized spherical fruits and broad leaves
Microscopic:
Miscellaneous parts of plant studied microscopically shows features as depicted in Table
Phytochemical Constituents:
Phytochemical studies revealed the presence of numerous secondary metabolites responsible for therapeutic activity.
Major Phytochemicals
Flavonoids
Flavonoids act as strong antioxidants and free radical scavengers. They protect liver cells against oxidative damage.
Saponins
Saponins contribute to anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective activity.
Phenolic Compounds
Phenolics reduce oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation.
Triterpenoids
Triterpenoids exhibit anti-inflammatory and membrane stabilizing effects.
Glycosides
Iridoid and coumarin glycosides are present in leaves and bark.
Alkaloids and Tannins
These compounds contribute to antimicrobial and antioxidant properties.
Pharmacological activities
1.Antibacterial activity: “The Preliminary antibacterial activity of Methanolic extract of Randia dumetorum Lam., Was done on some standard and wild Pathogenic strains. The inhibition of the Bacterial growth was more pronounced on E.coli as compared to the other tested Organisms ”. This shows the antibacterial action of Randia dumetorum Lam.
2. Anti-Allergic activity: In Ayurveda, Randia dumetorum Lam. Is used in Treatment of Asthma (tamakshwasa), Rhinitis, cold, pain etc. “Extract and its Fraction on milk induced leucocytosis and Eosinophilia in mice, passive paw Anaphylaxis and mast cell degranulation in Rat models”.
3. Anti-inflammatory activity: “The Crude methanol extract of fruit of Randia Dumetorum Effectively reduced the Carrageenin induced oedema in hind paw Of the rats, significant reduction in Granular tissue formation was recorded. This activity seems to be significant at Various acute phases of inflammation and On formation of granular tissue” .This Proves the action of madanaphala on Shopha (inflammation).
4. Analgesic activity: Analgesic activity Was tested in mice weighing between 20-250 with six numbers of animals in each Group by Acetic acid induced writhing Response and Hot-plate response in mice. 500 mg/kg methanolic extract of fruit Randia dumetorum give analgesic activity In both models. This proves its Shoolanashaka (pain killer) action.
5. Immunomodulatory activity: “Randia Dumetorum has immunostimulant activity And chloroform fraction which strongly Affected immune system seems to be Bioactive fraction of this plant” .
Hepatoprotective Activity
Hepatoprotective activity refers to the ability of a substance to prevent liver damage caused by chemicals, drugs, or toxins.
Experimental studies have shown significant hepatoprotective effects of Randia dumetorum extracts against:
1)Alcohol-Induced Hepatotoxicity
A study conducted on albino rats evaluated the hepatoprotective effect of methanolic fruit extract against alcohol-induced liver damage.
Results showed significant reduction in:
ALT,AST,Total bilirubin,Direct bilirubin,Lipid peroxidation
The extract also increased glutathione and total protein levels. Histopathological studies demonstrated improved liver architecture
2) CCl4-Induced Hepatotoxicity Model
In experimental animals, administration of carbon tetrachloride causes liver injury by generation of free radicals.
Treatment with methanolic leaf and bark extracts of Randia dumetorum resulted in:
Mechanism of Hepatoprotective Action:
The hepatoprotective activity of Randia dumetorum is mainly due to:
Antioxidant Mechanism,:
The plant neutralizes reactive oxygen species and prevents oxidative stress.
Inhibition of Lipid Peroxidation:
It reduces membrane damage caused by free radicals.
Enhancement of Antioxidant Enzymes:
The extract increases:Superoxide dismutase (SOD)Catalase (CAT)Glutathione reductase (GSH)
Anti-inflammatory Action:
The plant suppresses inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α and IL-1β.
Histopathological Findings:
Microscopic examination of liver tissue showed:
Toxic Control Group
Extract Treated Group
These findings support the hepatoprotective efficacy of the plant extracts
Safety and Toxicity
Acute toxicity studies reported that methanolic extracts of Randia dumetorum were safe up to 2000 mg/kg in experimental animals without mortality or significant toxicity.
CONCLUSION
Randia dumetorum is a valuable medicinal plant possessing diverse pharmacological activities. The plant contains several bioactive phytochemicals including flavonoids, saponins, phenolics, glycosides, and triterpenoids which contribute to its antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects. Experimental studies demonstrated that the plant protects liver tissue against toxic damage by reducing oxidative stress, inflammation, and lipid peroxidation. Scientific evidence supports its traditional use in liver disorders. However, additional clinical and pharmacological studies are necessary to establish its therapeutic potential in modern medicine.
REFERENCES
Amol Rohokale, Vaishnavi Jaldewar, Dr. R. Pandhare, Dr. V. Deshmukh, Phytochemical and Hepatoprotective Potential of Randia dumetorum: A Comprehensive Review, Int. J. of Pharm. Sci., 2026, Vol 4, Issue 5, 3999-4005, https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20229633
10.5281/zenodo.20229633
