Celastrus Paniculatus

Celastrus paniculatus is an Ayurvedic nootropic known as 'Jyotishmati' (light-giving) or 'Intellect Tree'. Seed oil is used for cognitive enhancement and intestinal health. Animal studies show memory improvement, neuroprotection, and anxiolytic effects - notably, effects strengthen over 2 weeks of use (single doses ineffective). Mechanism involves cholinergic enhancement and antioxidant activity. Also shows potent intestinal smooth muscle relaxation. However, NO human clinical trials exist. Traditional use for centuries but requires modern human validation.

Quick Answer

What it is

Celastrus paniculatus is an Ayurvedic nootropic known as 'Jyotishmati' (light-giving) or 'Intellect Tree'. Seed oil is used for cognitive enhancement and intestinal health.

Key findings

Grade C: Cognitive Function
Grade C: Neuroprotection
Grade D: Anxiety

Safety

In rodent and in vitro models, Celastrus paniculatus seed extracts protected neurons against glutamate toxicity, scopolamine-induced impairment, and oxidative stress.

ℹ️ Quick Facts: Celastrus Paniculatus

Quick Facts: Celastrus Paniculatus

Best Evidence:Grade C
Conditions Studied:3
Research Outcomes:7
Key Effect:Age-Associated Memory Impairment and Cognitive Decline (AAMCD)

Outcomes by grade:

3 conditions · 7 outcomes

Detailed Outcomes

Cognitive Function

In multiple rodent studies, Celastrus paniculatus seed extract (administered for 14 days) improved memory retention in passive avoidance and shuttle-box paradigms, with effects attributed to increased brain acetylcholine and reduced acetylcholinesterase activity. Notably, single doses were ineffective — benefits required chronic administration over approximately 2 weeks.

moderate↑Improves

Neuroprotection

In rodent and in vitro models, Celastrus paniculatus seed extracts protected neurons against glutamate toxicity, scopolamine-induced impairment, and oxidative stress. Mechanisms include reduced lipid peroxidation, enhanced antioxidant enzymes, attenuation of NF-kB-mediated neuroinflammation, and reduced intracellular calcium influx.

moderate↑Improves

Depression

In mice, Celastrus paniculatus seed oil (50–200 mg/kg for 14 days) significantly reduced immobility in both tail suspension and forced swim tests, with efficacy comparable to fluoxetine. The antidepressant-like effect appears mediated through dopamine D2, serotonergic, and GABAB receptors, as well as MAO-A inhibition.

small↓Improves

Intestinal Smooth Muscle Relaxation

A Celastrus paniculatus seed extract exerted potent myogenic relaxation of isolated rat ileum (IC50: 0.24 µg/mL; near-complete inhibition at 99%) via an L-type Ca2+-dependent mechanism. Notably, the effect was also confirmed in isolated human ileum tissue, supporting its traditional use for intestinal spasms.

moderate↑Improves

Stress Resilience

In rodent models of chronic immobilization stress, Celastrus paniculatus seed oil restored antioxidant enzyme levels and improved cognitive performance impaired by chronic stress exposure. The oil also reduced plasma corticosterone levels in stressed mice.

small↑Improves

Anxiety

In rat models, Celastrus paniculatus seed oil (1–1.5 g/kg) showed significant anxiolytic activity in elevated plus maze and open field tests without producing tolerance. The anxiolytic effect may involve GABA modulation.

small↓Improves

Cholesterol

In hypercholesterolemic Wistar rats, methanolic seed extract of Celastrus paniculatus (65 mg/kg) substantially reduced plasma total cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL cholesterol while increasing HDL, with results comparable to standard hypolipidemic drugs. Mechanism may involve HMG-CoA reductase inhibition and elevated lipoprotein lipase activity.

small↓Improves

Evidence by Condition

Best grade per condition (each condition may have multiple outcomes)

CAge-Associated Memory Impairment and Cognitive Decline (AAMCD)

1 outcome · 7 studies

↑Cognitive FunctionImproves

DAnxiety Disorders (Other)

1 outcome · 2 studies

↓AnxietyImproves

DCardiovascular Health

1 outcome · 1 study

↓CholesterolImproves

Research Citations (17)

Celastrus paniculatus oil ameliorates NF-KB mediated neuroinflammation and synaptic plasticity in the scopolamine-induced cognitive impairment rat model

Metabolic Brain Disease (2023)

PMID: 36809523

Neuroprotective Effect of Celastrus Paniculatus Seed Extract on Epilepsy and Epilepsy-associated Cognitive Deficits

Basic and Clinical Neuroscience (2023)

PMID: 37346867

Protective effect of Celastrus paniculatus on cognitive function in glutamate-induced brain-injured mice by reducing the intracellular influx of Ca

International Journal of Developmental Neuroscience (2022)

PMID: 35338672

Neuroprotective effect of Celastrus paniculatus on chronic stress-induced cognitive impairment

Indian Journal of Pharmacology (2016)

PMID: 28066108

Behavioral and Biochemical Evidences for Antidepressant-Like Activity of Celastrus Paniculatus Seed Oil in Mice

Basic and Clinical Neuroscience (2016)

PMID: 27303599

Evaluation of nootropic activity of Celastrus paniculatus on albino rats

Pharm Biol (2010)

PMID: 19585478

Nootropic activity of Celastrus paniculatus seed

Pharmaceutical Biology (2010)

PMID: 20645820

Hypolipidemic Effect of Celastrus paniculatus in Experimentally Induced Hypercholesterolemic Wistar Rats

Indian Journal of Clinical Biochemistry (2010)

PMID: 21966115

Effect of Celastrus paniculatus seed oil (Jyothismati oil) on acute and chronic immobilization stress induced in swiss albino mice

Pharmacognosy Research (2010)

PMID: 21808561

Potent relaxant effect of a Celastrus paniculatus extract in the rat and human ileum

Journal of Ethnopharmacology (2009)

PMID: 19429308

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