Studies

• Antibacterial: Aqueous pulp extract study showed antibacterial activity against all strains
tested. Phytochemical screening yielded saponins, alkaloids and glycosides. Study confirms the
traditional use of the plant for the treatment of infections. (1)
• Antibacterial: Study evaluated the antibacterial activity of extracts from T. indica ripe fruit and
Piper nigrum seed against S aureus, E coli, P aeruginosa and Salmonella typhi. The ethanol
extract of T indica showed higher activity against all test bacteria than that from P nigrum.
• Hepatoprotective / Paracetamol Induced Toxicity: Study showed a significant
hepatoprotective effect with the aqueous extracts of tamarind leaves, fruits and unroasted
seeds on paracetamol intoxicated rats. (2) Study evaluated the protective effects of ethanolic
extract of T. indica leaves and seeds in comparison to vitamin E on paracetamol induced
hepatotoxicity in Long Evans rats. Results showed hepatoprotective activity comparable to
vitamin E, a known hepatoprotective agent. (31)
• Anti-venom activity: Extracts of tamarind inhibited the major hydrolytic enzymes of early
envenomation (local tissue damage, inflammation, hypotension). It also neutralized indirect
hemolysis. It presents an alternative to serum therapy. (3)
• Aspirin Bioavailability: Study showed Tamarindus indica fruit extract significantly increased
the bioavailability of aspirin. (4)
• Cosmetic Potential: Seed husk extract with polyphenolic components (Polyant-T) was tested
for antioxidant efficiency and provides a potential use for color cosmetics and sunscreens. (5)
• Hypolipidemic / Blood Pressure Effect / Fruits: Fruits were evaluated for effects on lipid
profile, blood pressure and weight. Dried and pulverized pulp of fruits showed a beneficial
effect on the lipid profile with a significant lowering of the total and LDL-cholesterol without
affecting the HDL level. There was also a significant reduction of diastolic blood pressure. (6)
• Chemical Constituents: Study revealed the presence of 21 saturated (67.5%) and 11
unsaturated fatty acids (30.15%). The results showed great variation in fatty acids, elemental
composition and total protein attributed to environmental and ecological factors.
• Anti-Diabetic / Seeds / Pancreatic Islets: Study of aqueous extract of Tamarindus indica seeds
against STZ-induced damages in pancreatic islands showed AETIS partially restores pancreatic
beta cells and repairs STZ-induced damages in rats. (10)
• Anti-Diabetic / Seeds: Study of aqueous extract of seed showed potent antidiabetogenic
activity that reduces blood sugar in streptozotocin-induced diabetic male rat. (14) Study
evaluated the hypoglycemic and anti-hyperglycemic activity of T. indica seed powder in non-
diabetic and diabetic rat models. Results showed significant antihyperglycemic activity in T2
diabetic rat model, attributed, at least in part, to inhibition of intestinal glucose absorption. (36)
(42) A hydromethanolic extract of T. indica seed showed antihyperlipidemic and
antihyperglycemic effects with potential benefits in diabetes related complications. (54) Study
in alloxan-induced diabetic rats showed a hydroethanolic seed coat extract of T. indica
possessed potent hypoglycemic action by virtue of its phytoconstituents. The HETI exerted
protective effect on pancreatic ß-cells as noted on histopathology of animals. (69)
• Anti-Diabetic / Fruits and Seeds: Study showed extracts of both fruit and seeds significantly
lowered blood glucose levels in mice compared to control.(16)
• Anti-Melioidosis: Melioidosis, caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei, is a life-threatening
infection common among paddy cultivators in Southeast Asian countries. Study showed the
methanolic extracts of T indica has anti-B. pseudomallei inhibitory potentials under in-vitro
conditions. (11)
• Spasmolytic: Study of the methanolic extract of fruits of Tamarindus indica on rabbit's
jejunum preparations showed relaxing effects probably through calcium channel blockade. (12)
• Genotoxicity Study: Study of Tamarindus indica fruit pulp extract was devoid of clastogenic
and genotoxic activities in cells of rodents, when administered orally at three acute doses. (13)
• Antioxidant: Study of T indica seed coat extract was found to possess strong antioxidant
activity attributed to free radical scavenging activity. (15)
• Analgesic / Fruit: Study showed the aqueous fruit extract of T indica in rodent models using
acetic acid-induced writhing, hot plate and formalin tests showed potential antinociceptive
activity at both peripheral and central levels, mediated via an opioidergic mechanism. (17)
• Fluoride Toxicity Amelioration: Fluoride is a cumulative poison, toxicity leading to bony and
dental lesions developing over a period of time. Study showed the extracts of both T. indica and
M. oleifera have some potential to mitigate fluoride toxicity. Changes in plasma biochemistry
suggested less hepatic and renal damages in animals receiving plant extracts along with
fluorinated water compared to those receiving fluorinated water alone. (18)
• Anthelmintic: Study using an Indian earthworm as test worm confirmed T. indica's
anthelmintic activity. The root extract not only demonstrated paralysis and also caused death in
a shorter period of time compared to the reference drug Piperazine citrate. (19)
• Acute Toxicity / Hepatotoxicokinetic Studies / Stem Bark: A crude extract of stem-bark was
evaluated for toxicity and hepatotoxicokinetics on Wistar rats. Brine shrimp lethality
assessment resulted in 70% (200 µg/mL) and 10% (20µg/mL) nauplii death with crude extract.
Hepatotoxicokinetics dosing wistar rats with crude fractions at 25% and 50% of predetermined
LD50 on chicken embryos showed elevation in the AST and ALT. Results suggest that dose
standardization in folk herbal medicine is imperative as T. indica used as food and medicine has
been shown to be toxic at high doses. (22)
• Antibacterial / Stem Bark and Leaves / Fruit Pulp: Phytochemical studies yielded tannins,
saponins, sesquiterpenes, alkaloids, and phlobatamins. Extracts of stem bark and leaves were
active against both gram positive and gram negative bacteria. (23) Study evaluated ethanolic
and aqueous extracts of fruit pulp, stem, bark, and leaves for in vitro antibacterial activity
against 13 Gram negative and 5 Gram positive bacterial strains. Fruit pulp extract exhibited
wide spectrum of activity against bacterial strains, 95.5% for the cold water extract, and 90.9%
and 86.4% for the hot water and ethanolic extracts, respectively. (48)
• ENO1 / Effect on Alpha Enolase Release / Lipid Effects: Study of a methanol extract of T. indica
fruit pulp altered the release of ENO1, ApoA-I, TTR and GDI-2 from HepG2 cells. Results support
the effect of T. indica on cellular lipid metabolism, particularly that of cholesterol. (24)
• Antibacterial / Pulp Extract: Study evaluated an aqueous pulp extract of T. indica against four
bacteria (E coli, S aureus, P aeruginosa and S typhi). The extract showed activity against tested
bacteria: S. aureus >E coli>P aeruginosa. (25)
• Hepatoprotective / CCl4-Hepatotoxicity: Study in Wistar rats showed an ethanolic extract of
fruit pulp of Tamarindus indica ameliorated the damage caused by CCl4, with lowering of
enzymes and bilirubin, further verified by histopathological improvement. (26)
• Antioxidative / Diabetic Benefits / Bark: Study evaluated the antioxidative effect of an
ethanolic extract of bark of T. indica to normoglycemic and alloxan-induced diabetic rats.
Results showed a significant decrease in peroxidation products, an increase in glutathione and
glycogen content. The extract exhibited antioxidant property and an antidiabetic effect more
effective than glibenclamide. (27)
• Tamarindus indica seed