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This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider before using herbs, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medications, or have a medical condition.
Abutilon indicum contains active compounds including flavonoids, alkaloids, and saponins that are believed to exert analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. The mucilage content provides demulcent properties that may soothe irritated tissues. As a component of Dashamoola (ten roots) in Ayurveda, it is traditionally thought to support the nervous system and reduce vata dosha imbalances associated with nerve pain. Evidence level: C (preliminary evidence).
Does Abutilon indicum interact with any medications?
There is limited clinical data on drug interactions for Abutilon indicum. Due to its mucilage content, it may potentially affect the absorption of orally administered medications if taken simultaneously. Patients taking medications for diabetes, blood pressure, or neurological conditions should consult a healthcare provider before use. The herb's effects on drug-metabolizing enzymes have not been well studied. Evidence level: C (preliminary evidence).
What is the recommended dosage for Abutilon indicum?
Traditional Ayurvedic practice suggests 3-5 grams of dried herb prepared as a tea, taken three times daily. Alternatively, 500 mg of powdered herb can be taken twice daily. Dosage may vary based on the specific formulation and condition being addressed. Always follow product label instructions or consult a qualified practitioner, as standardized preparations may differ. Evidence level: C (traditional use).
Is Abutilon indicum safe during pregnancy?
Abutilon indicum is contraindicated during pregnancy and should be avoided. Traditional Ayurvedic sources classify this herb as unsafe for pregnant women, though specific mechanisms of harm are not well documented in modern research. Women who are pregnant, planning pregnancy, or breastfeeding should not use this herb. Consult a healthcare provider for appropriate alternatives. Evidence level: C (traditional contraindication).
What is Abutilon indicum used for in Ayurveda?
Abutilon indicum is traditionally used in Ayurveda for nerve pain, weakness, urinary conditions, joint pain, and wound healing. As one of the ten roots in Dashamoola formulation, it is valued for supporting the nervous system and musculoskeletal health. The herb's mucilage content provides soothing properties for urinary and digestive tissues. Modern research on these uses remains preliminary. Evidence level: C (limited clinical evidence).
PubMed-compiled information sheet
This sheet was compiled from PubMed (NIH) abstracts using AI assistance. Every factual claim is cited to a real PubMed article (see the source list). It has not yet been human-reviewed — confirm with a healthcare provider before use.
Compiled from 30 PubMed articles · model: gemma4:31b
Summary
Abutilon indicum, also known as Atibala or Country mallow, is a perennial shrub of the Malvaceae family used in traditional medicine for its anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antioxidant properties [PMID:37303858, PMID:36235451, PMID:20645814].
Background
Abutilon indicum is a perennial shrub found in many Asian countries, including India, Sri Lanka, and parts of Malaysia [PMID:36235451, PMID:38186405]. It is widely utilized within the Ayurveda system of medicine [PMID:37303858].
Traditional uses
Traditionally used to treat inflammation, discomfort, urethral infections, gout, bronchitis, diabetes, piles, constipation, chronic cystitis, gonorrhea, gleet, pregnancy-related problems, jaundice, and leprosy [PMID:36235451, PMID:38021797, PMID:39097211, PMID:34697741].
Active compounds
Identified constituents include alkaloids, flavonoids, sesquiterpene lactones, gallic acid, β-sitosterols, geraniol, caryophyllene, and eugenol [PMID:38186405, PMID:34697741, PMID:10798248]. Specific isolated compounds include abutilin A and (R)-N-(1'-methoxycarbonyl-2'-phenylethyl)-4-hydroxybenzamide [PMID:18636384], as well as methyl trans-p-coumarate, methyl caffeate, syringic acid, and pinellic acid [PMID:25422029].
Mechanism of action
The ethanolic leaf extract has demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects by targeting the 5-lipoxygenase enzyme [PMID:38186405]. It may also exhibit insulin-like character to inhibit lipolysis and stimulate adipogenesis activity [PMID:36684487].
Clinical evidence
Evidence DDiabetic neuropathy
A study of 33 patients receiving a decoction of Atibala-mula (10g twice daily) and Bhumyamalaki Churna (3g twice daily) for 30 days was conducted to assess sensory perception and symptoms like numbness and pain [PMID:22529650].
Evidence DInflammation
Ethanolic extract of the whole plant showed significant dose-dependent anti-inflammatory activity in Wistar albino rats, comparable to ibuprofen [PMID:21999427].
Evidence DPain (Analgesia)
Eugenol isolated from A. indicum exhibited significant inhibition of acetic acid-induced writhing in mice [PMID:10798248].
Evidence DAnxiety and Depression
Crude methanolic extract of leaves and bark exhibited anxiolytic and antidepressant potential in mice models [PMID:34697741].
Evidence DLead-induced reproductive toxicity
Methanolic root extract mitigated the toxic impact of lead on the reproductive system of male Wistar rats [PMID:30714201].
Safety & adverse effects
A study on the methanolic extract of A. indicum seed (MAS) aimed to document in-vitro cytotoxicity, mutagenicity, and in-vivo acute and sub-acute toxicity [PMID:39097211].
Pregnancy & lactation
Traditionally, A. indicum seed powder is consumed to treat pregnancy-related problems [PMID:39097211].
Evidence summary
The current evidence is primarily based on in-vitro studies, animal models (mice/rats), and a small-scale clinical observation. There is a lack of high-level clinical trials (RCTs) or systematic reviews to confirm efficacy in humans.
PubMed sources
1.PMID: 37303858 (2021) — Pharmacognostical and phytochemical studies of Atibala (Abutilon indicum [Linn.] sweet) fruit. · Ayu
2.PMID: 18636384 (2008) — Chemical constituents from Abutilon indicum. · Journal of Asian natural products research
3.PMID: 22529650 (2011) — Effect of Atibalamula and Bhumyamalaki on thirty-three patients of diabetic neuropathy. · Ayu
4.PMID: 38021797 (2023) — Phytochemical Analysis and Antioxidant Evaluation of the Ethanolic Extract of the Leaves of Abutilon indicum. · Cureus
5.PMID: 36235451 (2022) — The Structural, Biological, and In-Silico Profiling of Novel Capryloyl Tetra-Glucoside and Aliphatic Ester Constituents from the Abutilon indicum Offers New Perspectives on the Treatment of Pain and Inflammation. · Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
Government sources
No direct government monograph is available for this herb. The content below is AI-generated and has not been verified against an authoritative government source. Use the search links to check official sources before relying on this information.
6.PMID: 36684487 (2023) — Effect of Abutilon indicum (L) Extract on Adipogenesis, Lipolysis and Cholesterol Esterase in 3T3-L1 Adipocyte Cell Lines. · Indian journal of clinical biochemistry : IJCB
7.PMID: 39097211 (2024) — Toxicological profiling of methanolic seed extract of Abutilon indicum (L.) Sweet: in-vitro and in-vivo analysis. · Journal of ethnopharmacology
8.PMID: 21999427 (2012) — Anti-inflammatory activity of Abutilon indicum extract. · Natural product research
9.PMID: 34697741 (2021) — Abutilon indicum Exhibits Anxiolytic and Antidepressant Effects in Mice Models. · Doklady. Biochemistry and biophysics
10.PMID: 20645814 (2010) — Antioxidant potential and radical scavenging effects of various extracts from Abutilon indicum and Abutilon muticum. · Pharmaceutical biology
11.PMID: 10798248 (2000) — Analgesic principle from Abutilon indicum. · Die Pharmazie
12.PMID: 38186405 (2023) — Evaluation of the Ethanolic Leaf Extract of Abutilon indicum on Isonicotinic Acid Hydrazide-Induced Proinflammatory Marker Gene Expression Changes. · Cureus
13.PMID: 25422029 (2015) — Cytotoxic constituents of Abutilon indicum leaves against U87MG human glioblastoma cells. · Natural product research
14.PMID: 30714201 (2019) — Protective effect of Abutilon indicum against lead-induced reproductive toxicity in male Wistar rats. · Journal of cellular biochemistry