What is Picrorrhiza Root and it's major application?
Article Content:
- .Basic Botanical Info of Picrorrhiza kurroa.
- .Phytochemical and Constituents of Picrorrhiza Root.
- .Indications of Picrorrhiza Root.
- .Western Properties and Reported Uses.
- .Action and Classical Note of Picrorrhiza Root.
- .Picrorrhiza Root:Pharmacology.
- .Dosage,Administrations and Safety.
- .Application Case Study:Liver function improvement formulation.
- .Research Update:Picrorrhiza kurroa and Picrorhiza scrophulariaeflora.
Picrorrhiza Root: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.
Mechanisms of Action:
The hepatoprotective action of Picrorhiza kurroa is not fully understood but may be attributed to Picrorhiza's ability to inhibit the generation of oxygen anions and to scavenge free radicals.Picrorhiza's antioxidant effect has been shown to be similar to that of superoxide dismutase, metal-ion chelators, and xanthine oxidase inhibitors.In rats infected, with malaria, Picrorhiza restored depleted glutathione levels, thereby enhancing detoxification and antioxidation, and helping maintain a normal oxidation-reduction balance.In this same animal model, Picrorhiza also demonstrated an anti-lipid peroxidative effect.Like silymarin, Picrorhiza has been shown to stimulate liver regeneration in rats, possibly via stimulation of nucleic acid and protein synthesis. Picrorhiza's anti-inflammatory action is attributed to the apocynin constituent, which has been shown to have potent anti-inflammatory properties in addition to inhibiting oxidative burst in neutrophils.Although the mechanism is unclear, animal studies indicate Picrorhiza's constituents exhibit a strong anticholestatic activity against a variety of liver-toxic substances, appearing to be even more potent than silymarin. Picrorhiza also exhibits a dose-dependent choleretic activity, evidenced by an increase in bile salts and acids, and bile flow.
Asthma/Allergy:
Antiasthamatic Activity:P.kurroa has been studied extensively for its anti asthmatic activity. The crude extract of P.kurroa roots reduced the frequency and severity of asthmatic attacks and the need for regular bronchodilators. The activity has been attributed to compounds such as androsin and apocynin, which have been shown to inhibit allergen- and PAF-induced broncho constriction.
Several studies have reported benefit in patients with asthma when using picrorhiza. In a randomized crossover study using laboratory animals, administration of isolated androsin orally or by inhalation prevented bronchial obstruction induced by the inhalation of allergens, platelet activity factors (PAF), histamine, and acetylcholine. It was concluded in this study that asthmatic reactions due to histamine and acetylcholine were not altered by picrorhiza, suggesting that androsin is not a broncholytic agent, but prevents bronchial obstruction. It is suggested that androsin may act by depressing the activity of PAF, which plays a major role in the pathogenesis of bronchial asthma. PAF has been reported to provoke long-term inflammatory responses in the lungs, leading to bronchial hyper-reactivity and subsequent bronchial obstruction. Additionally, histamine release from human polymorphonuclear leucocytes, in vitro, has been reported inhibited by some compounds from picrorhiza that have yet to be identified.Picrorhiza reportedly stabilizes mast cells in vivo, further elucidated by a repeated study in vitro in laboratory animals.This may prove useful as part of an integrative approach in patients with allergic conditions.
In vivo studies of bronchial obstruction indicate that the drosin constituent of Picrorhiza kurroa prevented allergen- and platelet activating factor-induced bronchial obstruction when given to guinea pigs via inhalant and oral routes. In vitro histamine release was also inhibited by the plant extract.Picrorhiza extract given orally at 25 mg/kg to mice and rats resulted in a concentration-dependent decrease in mast cell degranulation. However, induced bronchospasm was not prevented, indicating a lack of direct post-synaptic histamine receptor blocking activity.
A one-year clinical study of 20 patients (ages 14-60 years), two with perennial asthma, others with seasonal asthma, was conducted using picrorhiza as a therapeutic agent.The degree of clinical improvement in the patients was measured in terms of reduction in the use of bronchodilators, as evident from the results of pulmonary function tests at regular intervals. The patients had experienced asthma symptoms ranging from five to twenty years. The peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) was monitored and reported sustained increases for up to twelve months of treatment with picrorhiza. The frequency and severity of asthmatic attacks reduced significantly as treatment progressed. A reduction in bronchodilator use was also observed. One observation of interest is that individuals having specific food allergies developed tolerance to these allergens during the period of treatment, probably due in part to the mast cell stabilization properties of picrorhiza.
A double-blind, crossover trial with placebo failed to demonstrate significant results, although there was a trend toward improvement in symptoms of asthma.Study design and high dropout rate in this trial may have contributed to the poor results.
Constipation:Digestion
Picrorhiza is used in India for people with constipation due to insufficient digestive secretions.
Hepatic Insult and Damage:
Numerous animal studies, primarily in rats, have demonstrated that the active constituents of Picrorhiza kurroa are effective at preventing liver toxicity and the subsequent biochemical changes caused by numerous toxic agents. Hepatocytes damaged by exposure to galactosamine, thiocetamide, and carbon tetrachloride were incubated with Picrorhiza constituents. A concentration-dependent restorative effect was observed in regard to normal hepatocyte function.A similar effect was seen when 25 mg/kg/day oral Picrorhiza extract was administered to rats poisoned by aflatoxin B1 exposure. Picrorhiza kurroa significantly prevented the biochemical changes induced by aflatoxin B1.Picrorhiz extract, when given at a dose of 3-12 mg/kg orally for 45 days, was also shown to be effective in reversing ethanol-induced liver damage in rats.In an animal model of hepatic ischemia, rats given Picrorhiza orally at 12 mg/kg daily for 7 days, prior to induced ischemia, demonstrated improved hepatocyte glycogen preservation and reduced apoptosis, compared to control animals.Picrorhiza principals have also shown to be effective in treating Amanita mushroom poisoning in an in vivo animal model.An in vitro study demonstrated Picrorhiza's antioxidant activity by subjecting human Glioma and Hep 3B cells to a hypoxic state. Picrorhiza treatment reduced the cellular damage cause by hypoxia, indicating Picrorhiza constituents may protect against hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced injuries.
Hepato-protection:
The hepatoprotective effect of Picrorrhiza kurroa roots have been shown in diverse models of liver injury. The crude extract, and the isolated active principles of the roots, have been shown to protect the liver from various types of drug-induced injury Isolated compounds from P.kurroa have also been shown to have hepatoprotective activity. Picroliv, a specific combination of iridoid glycosides from P. kurroa, has been reported to inhibit drug- induced hepatocarcinogenesis and to prevent the biochemical changes in Wistar rats administered with aflatoxin B1 and phenobarbiton experimentally.
Similar to milk thistle, picrorhiza may have an effect on liver regeneration. A 1992 study demonstrated stimulation of nucleic acid and protein synthesis in rat liver with oral administration of picrorhiza. The authors stated the results were comparable to milk thistle.Clinical research has validated the efficacy of several plants that support liver health. Basic scientific research has unveiled the mechanisms by which some plants provide their therapeutic effects. Silymarin has been shown to have clinical applications to support various applications of liver health. Picrorhiza kurroa (PK), appears to have similar applications and mechanisms as that of silymarin although there is less clinical data to support it therapeutic use. However, when compared with silymarin, the hepatoprotective effects of Picrorhiza were found to be similar.A galactosamine-induced liver injury study in animals showed a significant reduction in liver lipid content, ALT and AST. In a trial in patients with liver concerns, difference in values of bilirubin, ALT and AST were significant between placebo and PK groups.
There have been over 15 studies conducted in laboratory animals regarding the effectiveness of standardized picrorhiza as a tool in liver health. Studies report picrorhiza beneficial for the liver, including viral hepatitis, and exposure to hepatotoxic chemical agents, including alcohol and acetaminophen.Another factor in the hepato-protection of picrorhiza may be its anti-inflammatory effects.
Picrorhiza was evaluated as a hepato-protective agent against ethanol-induced hepatic injury in rats.There was also an effect on specific alcohol-metabolizing enzymes (aldehyde dehydrogenase, 41%; acetaldehyde dehydrogenase, 52%) in rat hepatocytes. The levels of these enzymes were found to be reduced in the cells following alcohol intoxication.
Several hepatotoxins, including paracetamol and ethynyl estradiol, have a cholestatic effect on the production of bile. Picrorhiza has been reported to reverse acetaminophen and ethynyl estradiol-induced cholestasis, maintaining both bile volume and flow. Milk thistle was tested simultaneously for comparison. Picrorhiza was found to be a more potent choleretic and anticholestatic agent than milk thistle.Ethyl alcohol also produces cholestasis to varying degrees, as indicated by reduction in bile volume, bile salts, and bile acids. Picrorhiza treatment has been reported to restore these altered parameters in a dose-dependent manner.
In a randomized, double-blind placebo controlled trial in patients diagnosed to have acute viral hepatitis (HBsAg negative), picrorhiza root powder, 375mg three times a day, was given for two weeks.Picrorhiza was reported to significantly decrease lab values of bilirubin, SGOT, and SGPT as compared to placebo. The time in days required for total serum bilirubin to drop to an average value of 2.5mg% was 75.9 days in placebo compared to 27.44 days in the picrorhiza group. Also, the active principles picroside I, catalpol, kutkoside, and kutkoside 1 were tested for the presence of anti-hepatitis B virus surface antigen (anti-HBsAg) like activity in vitro.A promising anti-HBsAg like activity was noted which differed from the classical viral neutralization. Picrorhiza also inhibited purified HBV antigens prepared from healthy HBsAg carriers from binding in vitro.
As an antioxidant for the liver, picrorhiza is reported to protect against changes in liver and brain glutathione metabolism, improving reduced glutathione levels, and decreasing inhibition of glutathione-S-transferase, glutathione reductase, and glutathione peroxidase.The increased levels of lipid peroxidation products in damaged tissues were also reduced along with the recovery of glutathione metabolism. Also, picrorhiza possess the properties of antioxidants that appear to be mediated through activity like that of superoxide dismutase, metal ion chelators, and xanthine oxidase inhibitors.Picrorhiza does seem to alter cytochrome P-450 enzyme levels. Therefore, caution should be used with medications that are metabolized in the liver.
Hypoglycemic:
An extract of picrorhiza was found to lower blood glucose in laboratory animals.Chronic administration of the extract significantly reduced blood sugar in alloxan-induced diabetic rats for 10 days. The extract was also found to reduce the increased blood urea nitrogen and serum lipid peroxides in alloxan-induced diabetic animals and to inhibit the body weight reduction and leukopenia induced by alloxan administration. Further study is required to determine benefits to diabetics.
Immune system modulation:
The effect of an ethanolic extract of each drug was studied on delayed type, hypersensitivity, humoral responses to sheep red blood cells, skin allograft rejection, and phagocytic activity of the reticuloendothelial system in mice. Picrorhiza kurroa was found to be a potent immunostimulant of both cell-mediated and humoral immunity.The clinical success in treating vitiligo, a benign autoimmune disease characterized by irregular skin patches without pigmentation, is attributed to the immunomodulating effects of picrorhiza.
Recently, an ethanolic extract of the leaf of picrorhiza was reported to stimulate cell mediated and humoral components of the immune system including stimulation of phagocytosis.Also, picrorhiza root has reported anti-tumour and anti-carcinogenic activity in laboratory studies.
Hypoxia:
Picrorhiza has been reported to protect cells and regulate gene expression during hypoxia and/or re-oxygenation.Picrorhiza reduced the cellular damage caused by hypoxia as revealed by a significant reduction in LDH release compared to untreated controls. These findings suggest that picrorhiza may act as a protective agent against hypoxia and/or re-oxygenation induced injuries by a novel signal transduction pathway to the cells.
Immunomodulatory Activity:
P. kurroa is considered to be one of the most promising immunomodulatory agents of herbal origin. Various solvent extracts were screened for their influence on complement mediated haemolysis and on the production of lumino-dependent chemiluminescense by activated human neutrophils. All exhibited dose-dependent inhibitory effects, the methanolic and aqueous extracts being the most potent In an experimental study in mice, the oral administration of Picroliv prior to immunisation .with sheep red blood cells resulted in a significant increase in haemagglutinating antibody titre, plaque-forming cells and delayed hypersensitivity response to SRBC. Picroliv further enhanced the non-specific immune response characterised by an increase in the macrophage migration index.
Infections:Chronic / Hidden Infection:
Picrorhiza is used for fever due to all manner of infections.Picroliv (a mixture of iridoid glycosides from the rhizomes of picrorhiza) has been shown to have an immuno-stimulating effect in hamsters, helping prevent infections.
Inflammation.:
Apocynin is a constituent of root extracts of picrorhiza and has been reported to possess anti-inflammatory properties in laboratory animals.Apocynin concentration dependently inhibited the formation of thromboxane A2, whereas the release of prostaglandins E2 and F2 alpha was stimulated. Apocynin inhibited arachidonic acid-induced aggregation of bovine platelets, possibly through inhibition of thromboxane formation. Apocynin was found to inhibit neutrophil oxidative burst in vitro without affecting beneficial activities such as chemotaxis, phagocytosis, and intracellular killing of bacteria.
Musculo-Skeletal:Rheumatoid Arthritis:
Open-label studies conducted in India show a preliminary benefit for persons with primarily rheumatoid arthritis.
Viral Hepatitis:
Studies indicate Picrorhiza extracts may be of therapeutic value in treating viral hepatitis. An in vitro study investigated anti-hepatitis B-like activity of Picrorhiza and found it to have promising anti-hepatitis B surface antigen activity. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 33 patients diagnosed with acute viral hepatitis, 375 mg Picrorhiza root powder was given three times daily for two weeks. The treatment group was comprised of 15 patients; the remaining 18 subjects acted as controls and received placebo. Bilirubin, SGOT, and SGPT values were significantly lower in the treatment group, and the time required for bilirubin values to drop to 2.5 mg% was 27.4 days in the treatment group versus 75.9 days for the placebo group.
Vitiligo:Autoimmune
Picrorhiza, in preliminary research and in combination with the drug methoxsalen and sun exposure, was reported to hasten recovery in people with vitiligo, compared to using methoxsalen and sun exposure alone.
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1.What is Picrorrhiza Root and it's major application?
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