Manjistha herb supplement, Ayurvedic medicine, Rubia cordifolia
The medicinal plant Manjistha has been used widely in traditional Asian medicine for its antibacterial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities.
As of 2010, we have not seen human research with this Ayurvedic medicine.
Manjistha and cancer
Manjistha herb has several anti cancer compounds including epoxymollugin.
Role of Rubia cordifolia Linn. in radiation protection.
Indian J Exp Biol. 2007. . Department of Medicinal
Chemistry, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India.
The radioprotective potential of alcoholic extract of root of Manjistha
was studied by survival, hemopoietic cell protection and micronucleus assay. The
LD50 value for the alcoholic root extract was found to be 1200 mg/kg body weight
at 72 hr post irradiation. A significant radiation protection (67%) as assessed
by increased animal survival was observed when Rubia cordifolia extract was
administered intraperitoneally, 90 min. before the radiation exposure. Besides,
the extract also inhibited radiation induced lipid peroxidation measured by the
inhibition of thiobarbituric acid reactive substance. Our results indicate that
the alcoholic root extract of Manjistha provides significant protection
against radiation induced lipid peroxidation, hemopoietic injury and
genotoxicity. The mechanism of action of Manjistha extract appears to be
through its anti-oxidant, metal chelation and anti-inflammatory property.
Kidney stones
Protective effect of the hydro-alcoholic extract of Rubia cordifolia roots
against ethylene glycol induced urolithiasis in rats.
Food Chem Toxicol. 2010; Divakar K, Pawar AT. Department of Pharmacology, Acharya and B.M. Reddy College of
Pharmacy, Bangalore, Karnataka, India.
This study investigated the protective effect of the hydro-alcoholic extract of
roots of Rubia cordifolia Linn. (HARC) against ethylene glycol induced
urolithiasis and its possible underlying mechanisms using male Wistar albino
rats. Ethylene glycol feeding resulted in hyperoxaluria, hypocalciuria as well
as increased renal excretion of phosphate. Supplementation with HARC
significantly prevented change in urinary calcium, oxalate and phosphate
excretion dose-dependently. The increased calcium and oxalate levels and number
of calcium oxalate crystals deposits in the kidney tissue of calculogenic rats
were significantly reverted by HARC treatment. The HARC supplementation also
prevents the impairment of renal functions. Results: Indicate that the HARC can
protect against ethylene glycol induced urolithiasis as it reduced and prevented
the growth of urinary stones. Therefore, HARC is helpful to prevent the
recurrence of the disease as it showed its effect on early stages of stone
development. The mechanism underlying this effect is mediated possibly through
an antioxidant, nephroprotection and its effect on the urinary concentration of
stone-forming constituents and risk factors.
Composition of manjistha herb
Rubiacordone A: a new anthraquinone glycoside from the roots of Rubia cordifolia.
Molecules. 2009; College of Chinese Medicinal Materials, Jilin
Agricultural University, Changchun, PR China.
A new anthraquinone, Rubiacordone A
(6-acetoxy-1-hydroxy-2-methylanthraquinone-3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside), was
isolated together with the known anthraquinone,
1-acetoxy-6-hydroxy-2-methylanthraquinone-3-O-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-D-glucopyranoside],
from the dried roots of Manjistha . Metabolites Rubiacordone A showed considerable
antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria.
questions
Q. I read online that manjistha is helpful as a cure for acne. Do any studies
support this?
A. We are not aware of any published human research with the use of
manjistha as a treatment for acne.
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