picrorhiza kurroa (KUTKI)

Description

The picrorhiza kurroa (KUTKI) has a long history of use in Asian AYURVEDIC Medicine for the treatment of digestive problems. Picrorhiza kurroa is a herb from Ayurveda that is commonly called Kutki or Kutaki. It contains a ‘bitter principle’ which is a mixture of two molecules, the irioid glycosides known as picroside I and picroside II (picroside II also being called kutkoside) and the mixture overall is then called kutkin or picroliv. Overall, these are the active components.Other uses have been proposed for asthma, liver damage, wound healing, vitiligo) but the medical evidence is not yet conclusive. It appears to be relatively safe based on its long history of traditional use. Kutki has hepato-protective properties and thus supports the liver and spleen. It is used in all forms of liver damage, cirrhosis and inflammation of the liver. It protects the liver against damage from the hepatitis C virus. Picrorhiza kurroa Royle ex Benth. commonly known as Kutki, belongs to family Scrophulariaceae. It is found in the Himalayan regions of China, Pakistan, India, Bhutan and Nepal. It is considered as an important medicinal plant which is mostly used in the traditionalmedicinal system for asthama, jaundice, fever, malaria, snake bite and liver disorders Differentpharmacological activities of P. kurroa include anti-microbial, anti-oxidant, anti-bacterial, anti-mutagenic, cardio-protective, hepato-protective, anti-malarial, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory,anti-cancer, anti-ulcer and nephro-protective activities were recorded from this plant. So far,Iridoids (Picroside I and II), Cucurbitacins and Phenolic components are the different phytochemicals which are extracted from P. kurroa. The authentification of P. kurroa raw material for commercially available herbal/botanical products is essential and it is done by the DNA picrorhiza kurroa (KUTKI) is found in the Himalayan region from KASHMIR at an elevation of 2700-4500m and in Nepal and Pakistan, found abundantly between 3500 and 4800m. It is found far away from the community and takes from hours to days to walk to its growing habitat. It has been reported that Picrorhiza has been harvested to near extinction.