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Picrorhiza

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Synonyms: Kuru, Katki, Kutki

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Biological source:

Botanical name: Picrorhiza kurroa

Part used: dried rhizomes

Family: Scrophulariaceae

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Geographical source:

  • Distributed in upper himalayan altitude between 3000-5000m altitude.

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Macroscopical features (rhizome)

    • Color:dark greyish externally and blackish internally with whitish wood
    • Odor: slight and unpleasant
    • Taste: very bitter
    • Shape: subcylindrical, straight or slightly curved
    • Size: 3-5 cm in length, 0.5-1cm diameter
    • Other features:
    • Surface is longitudinally wrinkled bearing few, small root scars. Fracture is short.

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Microscopical features (Rhizome)

  • Cork is composed of several layers of tightly packed, thin walled cells.
  • Cortex consist of irregularly rounded parenchymatous cells some of which merge into secondary phloem tissue.
  • Cambium is narrow and wavy.
  • The secondary xylem is composed of thick walled cells- vessels, tracheids and fibers.
  • Pith is composed of thin walled parenchymatous cells

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Chemical constituents

Therapeutically potent constituents of the drug include glycosides picroside I, picroside II and kutkoside.

Vaniloyl group

Cinnamoyl group

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Pharmacological action / Uses

    • Cathartic/laxative, stomachic, febrifuge, antimalarial, emenagogue, emetic, abortifacient, antidote for dog bite, cholagogue (that promotes increased flow of bile), bitter tonic, removes kidney stone
    • It is useful for treatment of jaundice
    • It exhibits remarkable antibacterial effects.
    • Cathartic (produce more fluid evacuation along with feces) in large dose and laxative (promote evacuation of formed feces) in small dose

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