Dwarf morning glory

Last Updated: September 28 2022

Evolvulus alsinoides is one of four herbs referred to as Shankhapushpi and is traditionally used in Ayurveda for nootropic and psychotropic effects. It appears to enhance learning in otherwise normal rodents with comparable potency to Piracetam.

dosageDosage

Dwarf morning glory is most often used for

Summary

Evolvulus alsinoides is one of the four herbs that is given the common name of Shankhapushpi, and appears to be a nootropic agent with comparable potency to Piracetam in otherwise healthy young rats. The mechanisms and exact bioactives underlying these benefits are not currently known, but seem to be localized more in the ethanolic extract and are thought to be alkaloids. There is no human data on this plant at this moment in time.

Beyond the memory enhancing properties evolvulus appears to have general anti-inflammatory, adaptogenic, and neuroprotective properties in the brain following oral ingestion and high doses may confer a sedative property. However, there is insufficient evidence to compare the efficacy of evolvulus against other herbs to see if a role for this herb exists or not. The lack of known bioactive limits research on it.

What else is Dwarf morning glory known as?
Note that Dwarf morning glory is also known as:
  • Dwarf Morning Glory
  • Shankhapushpi
  • Evolvulus Alsinoides
Dwarf morning glory should not be confused with:
Dosage information

There is insufficient evidence in humans to recommend an ideal dose, but the estimated effective dose in rats (200mg/kg) correlates to approximately 32mg/kg of the ethanolic extract in humans and thus:

  • 2,200mg for a 150lb person
  • 2,900mg for a 200lb person
  • 3,600mg for a 250lb person

These dosages for an ethanolic extract of evolvulus alsinoides are but estimates based on the animal research.

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References
1.^Sethiya NK, Nahata A, Mishra SH, Dixit VKAn update on Shankhpushpi, a cognition-boosting Ayurvedic medicineZhong Xi Yi Jie He Xue Bao.(2009 Nov)
4.^Gomathi D, Kalaiselvi M, Ravikumar G, Sophia D, Gopalakrishnan VK, Uma CSecondary metabolite credentials of Evolvulus alsinoides by high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC)J Biomed Res.(2012 Jul)
5.^Siripurapu KB, Gupta P, Bhatia G, Maurya R, Nath C, Palit GAdaptogenic and anti-amnesic properties of Evolvulus alsinoides in rodentsPharmacol Biochem Behav.(2005 Jul)
7.^Aulakh GS, Narayanan S, Mahadevan GPhyto - chemistry and pharmacology of shankapushpi - four varietiesAnc Sci Life.(1988 Jan)
8.^Andrade C, Monteiro I, Hegde RP, Chandra JSInvestigation of the possible role of Shankapushpi in the attenuation of ECT induced amnestic deficitsIndian J Psychiatry.(2012 Apr)
12.^Cervenka F, Koleckar V, Rehakova Z, Jahodar L, Kunes J, Opletal L, Hyspler R, Jun D, Kuca KEvaluation of natural substances from Evolvulus alsinoides L. with the purpose of determining their antioxidant potencyJ Enzyme Inhib Med Chem.(2008 Aug)
13.^Gupta P, Akanksha, Siripurapu KB, Ahmad A, Palit G, Arora A, Maurya RAnti-stress constituents of Evolvulus alsinoides: an ayurvedic crude drugChem Pharm Bull (Tokyo).(2007 May)
14.^Gupta P, Sharma U, Gupta P, Siripurapu KB, Maurya REvolvosides C-E, flavonol-4-O-triglycosides from Evolvulus alsinoides and their anti-stress activityBioorg Med Chem.(2013 Mar 1)
15.^Kumar M, Ahmad A, Rawat P, Khan MF, Rasheed N, Gupta P, Sathiamoorthy B, Bhatia G, Palit G, Maurya RAntioxidant flavonoid glycosides from Evolvulus alsinoidesFitoterapia.(2010 Jun)
16.^Cervenka F, Jahodár LPlant metabolites as nootropics and cognitivesCeska Slov Farm.(2006 Sep)
18.^Sethiya NK, Trivedi A, Patel MB, Mishra SHComparative pharmacognostical investigation on four ethanobotanicals traditionally used as Shankhpushpi in IndiaJ Adv Pharm Technol Res.(2010 Oct)
20.^Mukherjee PK, Kumar V, Houghton PJScreening of Indian medicinal plants for acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activityPhytother Res.(2007 Dec)
23.^Ganju L, Karan D, Chanda S, Srivastava KK, Sawhney RC, Selvamurthy WImmunomodulatory effects of agents of plant originBiomed Pharmacother.(2003 Sep)