CHAPTER

28
Antidiabetic and
Antihyperlipidemic
Activity of Bonducella
(Caesalpinia bonducella)
Seeds
Dayanand M. Kannur
Department of Pharmacognosy, Shree Chanakya Education Societys, Indira College of
Pharmacy, Pune, India
CHAPTER OUTLINE
Introduction 238
Botanical Description 238
Historical Cultivation and Usage 239
Present-Day Cultivation and Usage 239
Pharmacognostical analysis 239
Extraction process of the bonducella
seed 240
Applications to Health Promotion and
Disease Prevention 241
Antidiabetic potential of Caesalpinia
bonducella seeds 241
Antihyperlipidemic activity of Caesalpinia
bonducella seeds in hyperglycemic
conditions 241
Adverse Effects and Reactions (Allergies
and Toxicity) 243
Summary Points 244
References 244
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS
BGL, blood glucose level
BUN, blood urea nitrogen
HDL, high density lipoprotein
KEE, seed kernel ethanolic extract
LDL, low density lipoprotein
LD
50
, lethal dose
PEE, seed kernel petroleum ether extract
SC, serum creatinine
SEE, ethanolic extracts of the seed coat
TC, total cholesterol
237
Nuts & Seeds in Health and Disease Prevention. DOI: 10.1016/B978-0-12-375688-6.10028-3
Copyright 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
INTRODUCTION
Caesalpinia bonducella (synonym Caesalpinia bonduc) is a plant belonging to the Caesalpi-
niaceae family. It is one of the important herbs found in folklore medicine, and its
medicinal uses have been quoted in various Ayurvedic texts and scriptures. Traditionally, it is
used to cleanse the uterus in the postpartum period, and also acts as a uterine stimulant. It is
known to alleviate fever, edema, and abdominal pain during this period. Caesalpinia
bonducella is a prickly shrub and has numerous synonyms, including Duhsparsa (difcult
to touch), Kantaki karanja (having prickles), Vajra bijaka (having hard seeds); Kanta
phala (fruits covered with prickles), etc. It has many other common names, including
fever nut, Indian lbert, and nickar (English); Karanja, Kanthekaranja, Karanjuvu, Karanju,
and Lata Karanju (Hindi); Gajaga, Sagargota, Kanchaki, and Karbath (Marathi); and Akit-
makit and Bunduk (Urdu).
BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION
Caesalpinia bonducella is a large, straggling, very thorny shrub, and is an extensive climber. The
branches are armed with hooks and are straight, hard yellow prickles (Kirtikar & Basu, 1995).
FIGURE 28.1
Caesalpinia bonducella. (A) plant; (B) Inorescence; (C) Pod; (D) Seeds; (E) Kernels; (F) Pods and seeds.
238
PART 2
Effects of Specic Nuts and Seeds
The leaves (see Figure 28.1A) are compound, 30e60 cm long, with prickly petioles. The
stipules have a pair of round pinnae at the base of the leaf, each furnished with a long
mucronate point. There are six to eight pairs of pinnae, 5e7.5 cm long, with a pair of
hooked stipulary spines at the base, and six to nine pairs of leaets, 2e3.8 1.3e2.2.
Leaets are membranous, ellipticeoblong, obtuse, strongly mucronate, glabrous on the
upper surface and more or less puberlous beneath; the petilolules are very short
(Sutaria, 1969).
The owers are pale yellow in color, dense (usually spicate), with a long peduncled terminal
and supra-axillary racemes at the top. Racemes droop downwards and are 15e25 cm long; the
pedicles are very short in bud, elongating to 5 mm in owers and 8 mm in fruit; they are
brown, downy and oblanceolate. Filaments are declinate, attened at the base, and clothed
with long white silky hairs (Figure 28.1B). The owering season starts in June, and the shrub
bears fruits by November.
The fruits are inated oblongate pods, 5e7.5 4.5 cm, covered with prickles, containing
one or two seeds per pod. The pods have short stalks. The seeds are 1e2 cm in size, globular,
hard, bluish-gray in color, and have a smooth, shiny surface (Sutaria, 1969)
(Figure 28.1CeF).
HISTORICAL CULTIVATION AND USAGE
Caesalpinia bonducella is a large, prickly shrub that grows naturally throughout the hotter parts
of India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and the West Indies, along the sea coasts and at heights of up to
800 meters on the hills. It is commonly found in the southern part of India.
Caesalpinia bonducella seeds have long been used in traditional medicine in treating
symptoms and ailments, including abdominal pain, colic, leprosy, fever, edema, and
malaria. It is also used as a uterine stimulant, and to cleanse the uterus during the post-
partum period.
PRESENT-DAY CULTIVATION AND USAGE
Caesalpinia bonducella is propagated by seeds. These are sown at the start of the rainy season;
they are rst soaked overnight, and then generally sown at intervals of 50 cm to form
a hedge. It is essential to irrigate immediately after sowing the seeds. Sandy loam soil
gives optimum growth. After 3e4 weeks the plants sprout, growing to their maximum
height in 2 to 2 years. In the initial stages it is very important to irrigate, and plants
should be pruned every fortnight.
Pharmacognostical analysis
Caesalpinia bonducella seed kernels (Figure 28.1E) are oblong to ovoid in shape, brittle, pale
yellow to cream in color, with a characteristic odor and bitter taste. The seed coat is brownish-
gray in colour, with a characterisic odor and an astringent taste (Figure 28.1D).
The seeds contain furanoditerpenes (Peter et al., 1997) a-caesalpin, b-caesalpin, g-caesalpin,
d-caesalpin, e-caesalpin, and caesalpinia-F (Keitho et al., 1986); fatty acids (palmitic, stearic,
octadeca-4-enoic and octadeco-2-4-dienoic, lignocenic, oleic and linoleic); phytosterinin;
b-sitosterol; a homoisoavone, bonducellin (Purushothaman et al., 1982); amino acids
(aspartic, arginine, and citrulline); carbohydrates (starch, sucrose); b-carotene; a glycoside,
bonducin; and gums and resins (Williamson, 2002).
Caesalpinia bonducella fruits contain D() pinitol, and the leaves contain the glycosidal
compounds Brazilin and bonducin. The roots contain cassane furan diterpene caesalpinin;
cassane diterpenes caesaldekarins C, F, and G; bonducellpins A, B, C, D (Peter & Tinto, 1997);
and the steroidal saponin diosgenin (Figure 28.2).
CHAPTER 28
Bonducella Seeds and Antidiabetic Activity
239
Extraction process of the bonducella seed
Extraction is carried out by breaking the seed coat; the kernels are then crushed to a coarse
powder. This powder is defatted with petroleum ether (60/80). The petroleum ether is distilled
off on a rotary ash evaporator to leave a yellow, oily extract (22% w/w). The defatted marc is
then dried and further extracted with 95% ethanol, which yields a sticky ethanolic reddish
brown extract (16% w/w).
The physical constants of Caesalpinia bonducella are shown in Table 28.1; results of the analysis
of the xed oil obtained from the seed kernels are shown in Table 28.2.
TABLE 28.1 Determination of Physical Constants of Caesalpinia bonducella Seeds
SL No. Quantitative Standards Seed Kernels (% w/w) Seed Coat (% w/w)
1 Loss on drying 10.22 10.06
2 Extractives:
a) Water soluble
b) Alcohol soluble
c) Pet. ether
52.00
21.44
44.80
36.20
14.64
03.36
3 Ash values:
a) Total ash
b) Acid-insoluble ash
c) Water-soluble ash
2.60
1.56
0.87
3.40
1.94
1.07
TABLE 28.2 Analytical Values of Oil of Caesalpinia
bonducella Seeds
Acid value 4.71
Saponication value 144.46
Ester value 139.75
FIGURE 28.2
Chemical constituents of Caesalpinia
bonducella.
PART 2
Effects of Specic Nuts and Seeds
240
APPLICATIONS TO HEALTH PROMOTION AND DISEASE
PREVENTION
Caesalpinia bonducella seeds have been used to cure various diseases and disorders. The seeds
are used as antidiabetics, and various scientic studies have proved their claim to activity. They
have been proven to be anti-inammatory, anthelminitic, and antimalarial, and are also
effective as stomachic and digestives. They are used as a liver tonic in the treatment of jaundice
and various liver disorders. The seeds are also considered to be an aphrodisiac, and a general
tonic helping in the rejuvenation of the body (Shrikantha Murthy, 2000a). The roasted
seed powder is used as an antileprotic, antiperiodic, antipyretic, etc. The topical application
of seed oil helps in rheumatic disorders and arthritis.
In Indian traditional medicine, Caesalpinia bonducella is used in a vast range of diseases. It is the
best cure for abdominal pain due to atulence. The roasted seed powder relieves pain when
administered in an oily formulation. A mixture of roasted seed powder, asafoetida, ghee, and
a small amount of salt eliminates abdominal pain during the postpartum period (Shrikantha
Murthy, 2000b). It is the best medication for malaria, where a combination of the roasted seed
powder with Piper longum (1:1) is given with honey, approximately 0.5 g, three times a day for
3e4 days.
Antidiabetic potential of Caesalpinia bonducella seeds
The antidiabetic potential of Caesalpinia bonducella seeds has been investigated since 1987 by
Simon and colleagues, who showed that the aqueous extract possesses antihyperglycemic
action (Simon et al., 1987). Rao and colleagues found that the powder of Caesalpinia bonducella
exhibited antidiabetic potential, and they attributed this property to reduced absorption from
the gut (Rao et al., 1994). Sharma and colleagues (1997) suggested that the aqueous and 50%
ethanolic extracts of the seeds exhibited signicant antihyperglycemic as well as hypoglycemic
action. They proposed that the action may be similar to that of Glibenclamide and stimulate
the b cells, enhancing the secretion of insulin.
Chakrabarti and colleagues strongly claim that the extracts of seeds of Caesalpinia bonducella
signicantly lower the serum glucose level in type 2 diabetes (Chakrabarti et al., 2003);
they also investigated the insulin secretion stimulating potential of Caesalpinia bonducella
seeds and concluded that the antihyperglycemic activity exhibited is due to insulin
secretagogue activity (Chakrabarti et al., 2005).
Kannur and colleagues stated that the seed kernel ethanolic extract (KEE) and seed kernel
petroleum ether extract (PEE) as well as the ethanolic extracts of the seed coat (SEE) of C.
bonducella exhibited a remarkable blood glucose lowering effect in the glucose tolerance test
(Figure 28.3). These extracts also signicantly lower the elevated blood glucose level in alloxan
induced hyperglycemia (Table 28.3; Figure 28.4) (Kannur et al., 2006), as well as elevated blood
urea nitrogen (Figure 28.5). All these studies prove that the seeds possess a strong capacity to
reduce an elevated blood glucose level, and thus can be used in treating diabetes mellitus.
Antihyperlipidemic activity of Caesalpinia bonducella seeds in
hyperglycemic conditions
In most of the studies to date, the seeds of Caesalpinia bonducella have shown signicant
antihyperlipidemic actions. The effect of the extracts on diabetes-induced hyperlipidemia has
also been studied. It has been observed that due to diabetes, there is an increase in the total
cholesterol level as well as the triglyceride level (Kannur et al., 2006). In the diabetic animals,
the HDL was reduced and the LDL level was increased signicantly. All extracts of Caesalpinia
bonducella showed a signicant decrease in the total cholesterol level and the triglyceride level
(Table 28.4). In particular, the kernel ethanolic extract (KEE) exhibited signicant action. It
also increased the HDL and was successful in suppressing the LDL level as compared to the
standard drug (Figure 28.6).
CHAPTER 28
Bonducella Seeds and Antidiabetic Activity
241
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
0 30 90 150
B
G
L
Time(mins)
Glucose tolerance level
GL (glucose loaded)
KEE (Kernel ethanolic extract)
PEE (petrol extract)
SEE (seed coat extract)
FIGURE 28.3
Effect of Caesalpinia bonducella seed extracts in the glucose tolerance test.
TABLE 28.3 Effect of C. bonducella Extracts on the Blood Glucose Level (BGL), Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN),
and Serum Creatinine (SC) Levels in Alloxan-induced Hyperglycemia in Rats
a
Samples
(mg%)
Normal Diabetes
Induced
Diabetes D
Rosiglitazone
0.01 mg/kg
Diabetes D
KEE
Diabetes D
PEE
Diabetes D
SEE
BGL 83.0 2.42 578.0 74.95 87.0
c
2.27 324.5
b
47.97 329.0
b
23.84 196.0
c
40.86
BUN 27.85 1.08 39.20 3.11 28.65
b
2.85 22.22
c
0.83 33.35
NS
0.76 28.55
c
2.33
SC 0.5 0.04 0.7 0.5 0.63
NS
0.3 0.63
NS
0.03 0.65
NS
0.03 0.65
NS
0.03
a
Given by oral route at dose of 300 mg/kg; values are mean S.E.M.
b
P <0.05 when compared with diabetic control;
c
P <0.001 when compared with diabetic control.
NS
Not signicant.
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
m
g
/
m
l
Groups
Blood glucose level
Normal
Control
Standard
KEE
PEE
SEE
FIGURE 28.4
Effect of Caesalpinia bonducella seed extracts on elevated blood glucose levels in diabetic rats.
PART 2
Effects of Specic Nuts and Seeds
242
The presence of various sterols, and especially b-sitosterol, in the seeds may be responsible for
their antihyperlipidemic action.
ADVERSE EFFECTS AND REACTIONS (ALLERGIES AND TOXICITY)
No serious adverse effects have been reported for Caesalpinia bonducella medicines, but over-
dosing can lead to nausea and vomiting. The LD
50
has been found to be 3000 mg/kg body
weight (Kannur et al., 2006).
TABLE 28.4 Effect of C. bonducella Extracts on Total Cholesterol (TC), Triglyceride (TG), HDL, LDL, and VLDL
Levels in Rats
a
Test
(mg%)
Normal Diabetes Induced Standard KEE PEE SEE
TC 137.25 1.89 177.00 4.02 145.75 7.09
b
134.00 7.62
c
142.50 2.63
c
140.25 2.10
c
TG 88.75 1.81 107.75 5.75 93.25 9.99
b
88.50 1.09
c
94.00 6.01
b
86.00 8.90
c
HDL 44.25 2.78 33.75 1.43 42.00 1.47
c
49.25 1.25
c
41.25 5.21
c
37.75 0.63
b
LDL 75.75 1.11 127.25 2.16 85.75 8.20
c
67.50 7.53
c
83.00 6.22
c
85.75 1.80
c
a
Given by oral route at dose of 300 mg/kg; values are mean S.E.M.
b
P <0.05 when compared with diabetic control;
c
P <0.001 when compared with diabetic control.
FIGURE 28.5
Effect of Caesalpinia bonducella seed extracts on blood urea nitrogen levels in diabetic rats.
0
50
100
150
200
TC TG HDL LDL
M
g

%
Normal
Diabetes induced
Standard
KEE
PEE
SEE
FIGURE 28.6
Antihyperlipidemic action of Caesalpinia bonducella seed extracts. TC, total cholesterol; TG, triglyceride level; HDL, high
density lipoprotein; LDL, low density lipoprotein.
CHAPTER 28
Bonducella Seeds and Antidiabetic Activity
243
SUMMARY POINTS
l Caesalpinia bonducella seeds are a rich source of xed oil. The seed kernels as well as the oil
obtained from them show signicant pharmacological actions. Seed oil can be used as
a rubefacient as well as an anti-arthritic agent.
l Caesalpinia bonducella has been extensively investigated for various medicinal attributes; it
has been validated scientically, and can be used to treat inammation and
hyperlipidemia, as well as hyperglycemia. It can also be used as a stomachic. It is a proven
immunomodulator (Shukla et al., 2009a) as well as an adaptogenic agent. The seeds have
also been proven to be antioxidant (Shukla et al., 2009b) in nature.
l The various studies carried out to date support the claims of Caesalpinia bonducella seeds as
a promising herbal antidiabetic drug. The extracts of Caesalpinia bonducella seeds may
stimulate the secretion of insulin by the beta cells, and thus showa blood-glucose lowering
action.
l The properties possessed by Caesalpinia bonducella have signicant commercial value and
use. It is essential that investigations are carried out in more depth in order to validate other
claims as well as to nd out the constituents responsible for its antidiabetic potential.
References
Chakrabarti, S., Biswas, T. K., Rokeya, B., Ali, L., Mosihuzzaman, M., Nahar, N., et al. (2003). Advanced studies on
the hypoglycemic effect of Caesalpinia bonducella F. in type 1 and 2 diabetes in Long Evans rats. Journal of
Ethnopharmacology, 84, 41e46.
Chakrabarti, S., Biswas, T. K., Seal, T., Rokeyac, B., Ali, L., Azad Khan, A. K., et al. (2005). Antidiabetic activity of
Caesalpinia bonducella F. in chronic type 2 diabetic model in Long-Evans rats and evaluation of insulin secre-
tagogue property of its fractions on isolated islets. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 97, 117e122.
Kannur, D. M., Hukkeri, V. I., & Akki, K. S. (2006). Antidiabetic activity of Caesalpinia bonducella seed extracts in rats.
Fitoterapia, 77, 546e549.
Keitho, P., Burke, A., & Chan, W. R. (1986). Caesalpin-F, a new furanoditerpene from Caesalpinia bonducella. Journal
of Natural Products, 49, 913e915.
Kirtikar, K. R., & Basu, B. D. (1995). Indian Medicinal Plants, 2, 842e845.
Peter, S. R., & Tinto, W. F. (1997). Bonducellpins AeD, new Cassane furanoditerpene of Caesalpinia bonducella.
Journal of Natural Products, 60, 1219e1221.
Peter, S. R., Tinto, W. F., McLean, S., Reynolds, W. F., & Tay, L.-L. (1997). Caesalpinin, a rearranged cassane fura-
noditerpene of Caesalpinia bonducella. Tetrahedron Letters, 38, 5767e5770.
Purushothaman, K. K., Kalyani, K., & Subramanian, K. (1982). Structure of boducellin, a new homoisoavone from
Caesalpinia bonducella. Indian Journal of Chemistry, 21, 383.
Rao, V. V., Dwivedi, S. K., & Swarup, D. (1994). Hypoglycemic effect of Caesalpinia bonducella in rabbits. Fitoterapia,
LXV 245e247.
Sharma, S. R., Dwivedi, S. K., & Swarup, D. (1997). Hypoglycemic, antihyperglycemic and hypolipidemic activities
of Caesalpinia bonducella. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 58, 39e44.
Shrikantha Murthy, K. R. (2000a). Bhavaprakasa of Bhavamisra,Vol. 1, p. 246; Vol. 2, p. 627. Varanasi, India:
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Academy.
Shukla, S., Mehta, A., John, J., Mehta, P., Vyas, S. P., & Shukla, S. (2009a). Immunomodulatory activities of the
ethanolic extract of Caesalpinia bonducella seeds. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 125, 252e256.
Shukla, S., Mehta, A., John, J., Singh, S., Mehta, P., & Vyas, S. P. (2009b). Antioxidant activity and total phenolic
content of ethanolic extract of Caesalpinia bonducella seeds. Food and Chemical Toxicology, 47, 1848e1851.
Simon, O. R., Singh, N., Smith, K., & Smith, J. (1987). Effect of an aqueous extract of Nichol (Caesalpinia bounduc)
in blood glucose concentration: evidence of an antidiabetic action presented. Journal Council for Scientic and
Industrial Research (Australia), 6, 25e32.
Sutaria, R. N. (1969). A textbook of systematic botany, Vol. IV. Ahmedabad, India: Khadayata Book Depot. 177e179.
Williamson, E. M. (2002). Major herbs of Ayurveda. Sahibabad Ghaziabad, India: The Dabur Research Foundation &
Dabur Ayurvet Ltd.
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Effects of Specic Nuts and Seeds
244