Discover the remarkable properties of Pterocarpus marsupium in managing diabetes. In this piece, we delve into the various uses, active constituents, and the different names it goes by, and how these components contribute to its effectiveness in diabetes treatment. Learn about the scientific evidence that supports these potential benefits.

The Origins and Global Dispersion of Pterocarpus Marsupium

The plant Pterocarpus marsupium, hailing from the Leguminosae family, is most renowned for its dried juice extract. This is procured through a process of making incisions in the plant’s bark to tap the juice, which is then collected and dried. Let’s dive into how this process is executed and the various uses of this prepared extract.

It is also known as bijasal, indian kino tree and malbar kino.

Pterocarpus marsupium thrives in the high-altitude landscapes of states like Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Bihar, Orissa and Uttar Pradesh. It is also cultivated within the verdant forests stretching across Kerala, Karnal, Assam and West Bengal. Characteristic of its ruby red hue and astringent taste, let’s dig into the unique geographic and climatic features of these regions that drive its growth and quality.

Kino, the dried sap of the Pterocarpus marsupium, is a rich cocktail of beneficial components – kino-red, kinotannic acid, a kind of glucose-based tannin, resin, k-pyrocatechin (catechol), and gallic acid. While kinotannic acid is usually darker, the kino-red is a lighter extract from kinoin. When the juice is boiled during processing, the enzymes degrade and prevent this transformation. Let’s break this down to better understand these constituents and their role in kino’s efficacy.

Pterocarpus marsupium chemical constituents

Kino contains kinotannic acid, kino-red, k-pyrocatechin (catechol), resin and gallic acid. Kinotannic acid is a glucosidal tannin, kino-red is the anhydride of kinoin, which is a insoluble phlobaphene and is produced by the action of the enzyme oxydase. Kinoin is darker in colour than the kinotannic acid. As the juice is boiled during drying, enzyme gets destroyed and insolubilisation and darkening is prevented.

Determining the Drug Features of Pterocarpus Marsupium

1. When the drug solution is treated with ferrous sulphate, green colour is produced.
2. Treatment with alkali like potassium hydroxide, violet colour is obtained.
3. With mineral acid, a precipitate is obtained.

Understanding the Wide-Ranging Uses of Pterocarpus Marsupium

Astringent: Pterocarpus marsupium serves as a potent astringent. Let’s take a closer look at its astringent properties and explore how they can be utilized in different contexts.

Toothache Relief: Pterocarpus marsupium is traditionally used to soothe toothache. We’ll delve into the traditional methods tied to this therapeutic use and what makes it effective.

Diabetes Management: Pterocarpus marsupium can potentially be a natural remedy to combat diabetes. Let’s explore the scientific research backing this claim and the anecdotal evidence supporting its use in diabetes treatment.

Other Uses of Pterocarpus Marsupium

• Used in the treatment of dysentery and diarrhoea
• Treats passive haemorrhage
• It is also used for dyeing, tanning and printing
• The aqueous infusion of the wood is used in diabetes
• The aqueous and alcoholic extracts of the wood possess hypoglycemic activity
• The cups made of this wood are available with khadi and gramodyog commission for the treatment of diabetes.

Synonyms of Pterocarpus Marsupium – Alternate Names of Pterocarpus Marsupium Across Cultures

• Bengali – Pistal
• Gujrati – Biyo
• Hindi – Bijasal
• Malayalam – Veng
• Marathi – Asan, dhorbenla
• Sanskrit – Honne
• Tamil – Vengai
• Telugu – Yeggi

  Diabetes, Medicinal Plants, Pterocarpus marsupium, Pterocarpus marsupium benefits, Pterocarpus marsupium uses