Introduction
It is a small perennial herb from the Scrophulariaceae family.
The rhizome of Picrorhiza has been traditionally used to treat
worms, constipation, low fever, scorpion sting, asthma and ailments
affecting the liver. Current research on Picrorhiza kurroa has
focused on its hepatoprotective, anticholestatic, antioxidant,
and immune-modulating activity.
Origin
Picrorhiza kurroa also known as kutki is found in the North-Western
Himalayan region from Kashmir to Kumaun and Garhwal regions
in India and Nepal.
Chemical
composition / key active constituents
Kutkin, a bitter glycosidal principle, is reported.
Also isolated D-mannitol, vanillic acid and some steroids are
present. Kutkin was later shown to be a stable mixed crystal of
two C-9 iridoid glycosides-Picroside I and Kutakosid. Apocynin
has been isolated from the plant. Picroside II has been isolated
and shown to have hepatoprotective activity. With the help of
preparative HPLC, larger Quantities of picrosides have been isolated,
permitting precise structure identification and biological experiments.
Pharmacology
Alcohloic extract of the plant and kutkin possess
hepatoprotective activity. Plant is a potent immunostimulant of
both cell mediated and humoral immunity and exhibits choleretic
activity in dogs. Picrorhiza kurroa is also benefical in the management
of bronchial asthma.
Remedies
For
Protects the liver against hepatotoxins, hepatoprotective properties,
Potent antioxidant activity, Modulates liver enzyme levels, anti-inflammatory
action anti-allergy action.
Dosage
3-4
gm of drug is generally given as antiperiodic and 0.6-1.2 gm as
bitter tonic. Typical adult dosage is 400 to 1500 mg/day, with
dosages up to 3.5 g/day sometimes being recommended for fevers
| References: |
| 1. |
Atal
CK, Sharma ML, Kaul A, Khajuria A. Immunomodulating agents
of plant origin. I:preliminary
screening. J Ethnopharmacol 1986;18:133-141. |
| 2. |
Subedi
BP. Plant profile: Kutki (Picrorhiza scrophulariiflora). Himalayan
Bioresources 2000;4. |
| 3. |
Weinges
K, Kloss P, Henkels WD. Natural products from medicinal plants.
XVII.picroside-II,
a new 6 -vanilloyl-catapol from Picrorhiza kuroa |
|
Royle and Benth. Just us Liebigs
Ann Chem 1972;759:173-182. [Article in German] |
| 4. |
Stuppner
H, Wagner H. New cucurbitacin glycosides from Picrorhiza kurroa.
Planta Med 1989;
55:559-563. |
|
