How does Dalbergia sissoo work medicinally?

Dalbergia sissoo contains active isoflavones such as dalbergin, sissotrin, and biochanin, which are responsible for its primary mechanisms of action. These compounds exhibit anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties by modulating inflammatory pathways and reducing oxidative stress in tissues. Additionally, the presence of tannins provides astringent effects, which helps in wound healing and managing skin infections. Evidence for these specific mechanisms is currently rated Level C, based on phytochemical analysis and traditional use rather than extensive clinical trials.

Is Dalbergia sissoo safe to take during pregnancy?

No, Dalbergia sissoo is considered unsafe during pregnancy. The herb contains isoflavones that exert estrogenic effects, which can potentially stimulate uterine contractions or disrupt hormonal balance critical for fetal development. Due to these risks, it is contraindicated for pregnant women. Women who are breastfeeding should also avoid this herb due to a lack of safety data regarding its transfer through milk and potential effects on the infant.

Does Dalbergia sissoo interact with hormone medications?

Yes, Dalbergia sissoo has potential interactions with hormone-sensitive medications. Because the plant contains isoflavones with estrogenic properties, it may interfere with hormone replacement therapy, oral contraceptives, or anti-estrogen drugs like tamoxifen. These interactions could reduce medication efficacy or increase the risk of adverse side effects. Patients with hormone-sensitive conditions or those undergoing hormone therapy should avoid this herb unless supervised by a qualified healthcare provider.

What is the recommended dosage for Dalbergia sissoo bark?

Traditional Ayurvedic practice suggests a bark decoction dosage of 5 to 10 grams, taken twice daily. This preparation is traditionally used to manage skin diseases and liver conditions. However, standardized clinical trials have not established a definitive therapeutic dose, and evidence remains at Level C. Users should exercise caution, as higher doses may lead to gastrointestinal upset, and treatment should ideally be supervised by a medical herbalist.

What are the traditional uses of Dalbergia sissoo in Ayurveda?

In Ayurvedic medicine, Dalbergia sissoo is primarily utilized for treating skin diseases, liver conditions, and providing support for leprosy. The bark and leaves are the standard parts used for these preparations. Historical texts also cite its use for gonorrhea and as a general anti-inflammatory agent. While these applications are well-documented in traditional texts, current scientific evidence supporting these specific uses is rated Level C, indicating a reliance on historical precedent rather than modern clinical data.

Dalbergia sissoo (Dalbergia sissoo)

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

Dalbergia sissoo, also known as Indian rosewood or Shisham, is a woody plant of the Fabaceae family with significant economic, cultural, and medicinal importance in the Indian subcontinent [PMID:37993468, PMID:35335342].

Background

Dalbergia sissoo is a medium to large deciduous tree native to the Indian subcontinent [PMID:28114964]. It is a timber-producing species used in forestry, agroforestry, and horticulture [PMID:37993468, PMID:36999059].

Traditional uses

Traditionally used to treat sore throats, dysentery, syphilis, bronchitis, inflammations, infections, hernia, skin diseases, gonorrhea [PMID:28114964], gastric and skin problems [PMID:33634685], joint inflammation and joint pain [PMID:34116187], and various types of cancer by local tribes in Western India [PMID:37394798].

Active compounds

The plant contains terpenoids, flavonoids, and isoflavones [PMID:35335342]. Specific identified compounds include isoflavone glycosides (biochanin A and tectorigenin derivatives) [PMID:11454356], neoflavonoids (dalsissooal, cearoin, dalbergin, 4-methoxy dalbergion, dalbergiphenol, dalbergichromene, methyl dalbergin, and latinone) [PMID:24803361], the coumarin nordalbergin [PMID:39062947], and caviunin glycoside (CAFG) [PMID:34116187].

Mechanism of action

Nordalbergin destabilizes the cell membrane and promotes permeabilization, suppressing beta-lactamase performance [PMID:39062947]. 4-Methoxydalbergione inhibits cell proliferation and induces apoptosis in astroglioma cells by stalling the cell cycle in G2 phase [PMID:33311599]. Caviunin glycoside (CAFG) modulates chondrogenic and matrix regulating proteins [PMID:34116187].

Clinical evidence

Evidence DMyocardial Injury (Rat Model)

Standardized leaf extract (DSE) significantly improved heart weight/body weight ratio, myocardial infarcted areas, heart rate, and mean arterial pressure in isoproterenol-induced injury [PMID:25420456]

Evidence DPain/Nociception (Mouse Model)

Methanol extract of leaves (MEDS) demonstrated potent and dose-dependent antinociceptive activity across multiple pain models [PMID:28114964]

Evidence DOsteoarthritis (Rat Model)

Leaf extract and the compound CAFG attenuated osteoarthritis by modulating chondrogenic and matrix regulating proteins [PMID:34116187]

Evidence DAlzheimer's Disease/Memory Impairment (Rat Model)

Ethanolic extracts of leaves (EEDS) provided protective effects against amyloid-beta (1-42)-induced cognitive deficit, oxidative stress, and neuroinflammation [PMID:33634685]

Evidence DAstroglioma (In vitro/In vivo)

4-Methoxydalbergione inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis in U87 cells with greater potency than temozolomide [PMID:33311599]

Evidence D

Safety & adverse effects

A case of rosewood dermatitis associated with the genus Dalbergia (East Indian rosewood) has been reported [PMID:4261471].

Evidence summary

The evidence is primarily based on in vitro studies and animal models (Level D), with one systematic review (Level A) supporting its use as a mosquito repellent. Most pharmacological claims regarding cardiovascular, neuroprotective, and anti-cancer effects are not yet proven in human clinical trials.

PubMed sources

1.PMID: 37662156 (2023) — Chromosome-scale genome of Indian rosewood (Dalbergia sissoo). · Frontiers in plant science
2.PMID: 25420456 (2015) — Assessment of Indian Rosewood (Dalbergia sissoo) Standardized Leaf Extract on Isoproterenol-Induced Myocardial Injury in Rats. · Cardiovascular toxicology
3.PMID: 39262243 (2024) — Association of water stress and Fusarium solani exacerbated Dalbergia sissoo dieback disease. · Cellular and molecular biology (Noisy-le-Grand, France)
4.PMID: 37993468 (2023) — De novo transcriptome assembly of Dalbergia sissoo Roxb. (Fabaceae) under Botryodiplodia theobromae-induced dieback disease. · Scientific reports
5.PMID: 35335342 (2022)

Dalbergia sissoo

Sources & Citations