Syzygii cumini cortex

Syzygii cumini cortex, also called Syzygium bark, is a drug used in herbal medicines for the treatment of non-specific and acute diarrhea or inflammation of the oral and pharyngeal mucosa, among others.

Externally, the drug is used in the form of wet compresses for mild superficial inflammation of the skin(Commission E).

Folkloric applications are also described in diabetes mellitus.

Syzygium bark contains tanning agents such as gallic acid and ellagitannins as well as phytosterols such as beta-sitosterol, which as a plant steroid is close to cholesterol (= cholesterol); furthermore flavonoids and triterpenes.

Syzygium cortex stops itching, inhibits adenosine deamiasis and lowers blood sugar in hyperglycemic patients (Srivastava S et al. 2013). In addition, the drug has a slightly antiphlogistic and astringent effect (effect of gallic acid), further slightly anaesthetic on surfaces and inhibiting capillary permeability. The drug is effective against leishmania.

Syzygii cumini cortex is used(Commission E) for non-specific and acute diarrhoea or inflammation of the mucous membranes of the mouth and throat or inflammation of the upper layers of the skin.

The average daily dosage is 3.0 to 6.0 g.

There are no known adverse effects.

There are no known contraindications

There are no known interactions with other substances.

1. Ayyanar M et al (2013) Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels., a novel therapeutic agent for diabetes: folk medicinal and pharmacological evidence. Complement Ther Med 21:232-243.

2. Bitencourt PE et al(2015) Syzygium cumini seed extract ameliorates adenosine deaminase activity and biochemical parameters but does not alter insulin sensitivity and pancreas architecture in a short-term model of diabetes. J Complement Integr Med 12:187-193.

3. Bopp A et al(2009) Syzygium cumini inhibits adenosine deaminase activity and reduces glucose levels in hyperglycemic patients. Fundam Clin Pharmacol 23:501-507.

4. Rodrigues KA et al (2015) Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels essential oil and its major constituent α-pinene exhibit anti-Leishmania activity through immunomodulation in vitro. J Ethnopharmacol 160:32-40.

5. Srivastava S et al (2013) Pharmacological potentials of Syzygium cumini: a review. J Sci Food Agric 93:2084-2093.