Chirata

Related Terms

1,3,5,8-Tetrahydroxyxanthone, 1,5,8-trihydroxy-3-methoxy-xanthone-8-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside, 1,5-dihydroxy-3-methoxyxanthone-8-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside, 21-alpha-H-hop-22(29)-en-3-beta-ol, 24-ethylcholest-4-en-3-one, alkaloids, amarogentin, amaroswerin, beta-sitosterol-3beta-D-glucoside, bhuchiretta, bitter iridoid glycosides, bitter stick, carbonates, charayatah, chirat-16-en-3beta,24-diol, Chinese chirata, chiraita, chirata (Hindi), chiratenol, chiratin, chirayata, chirayta, chiretta, ciraaitaa (Nepalese), East Indian balmony, enicoflavine, esvertia de la India (Spanish), flavonoids, gammacer-16-en-3-beta-ol, gammacerane triterpenoid (kairatenol), Gentiana chirata, Gentiana chirayita, Gentianaceae (family), gentianine (gentisin), gentiocrucine, glycosides, gum, Indian bolonong, Indian gentian, irridoids, Jwaran-thakah, kairata, kiraita, kirata, kirata-tikta, kiratatikta (Sanskrit), kiratatiktaka (Sanskrit), kiriath, kiriyattu, Kiryat-charayatah Bhunimba, mahasudarshana churna, mahatita, mangiferin, nila-vembu, nila-vemu, nonacosanylhentriacontanoate, oleanolic acid, Ophelia chirata, ophelic acid, phosphates, pichierenol, Qasabuz-Zarirah, resins, secoiridoids, stigmasterol, swerchirin, sweroside, sweroside 2'-O-3'',3''',5''-trihydroxy-biphenyl-2''-carboxylic acid ester, swerta-7,9(11)-dien-3-beta-ol, swertanone, Swertia bimaculata, Swertia chirayita, swertiamarin, swertie de l'Inde (French), syringaresinol, terpenoids, tetraoxygenated xanthones (magniferin, 1,5,8-trihydroxy-3-methoxyxanthone, 1-hydroxy-3,5,8-trimethoxyxanthone, and 1-hydroxy-3,7,8-trimethoxyxanthone), triterpenes, triterpenoids, xanthonoids, yin du zhang ya cai.
Note: The information in this monograph is limited to Swertia chirata. Several species of Ophelia (O. angustifolia, O. elegans, O. densifolia, O. multiflora, and O. pulchella) and related plants go by the name of chirata in India. These are designated as bill (puharee) chirata, sweet (meetha) chirata, purple (ooda) chirata, and southern (dukhunee) chirata. Chota chiretta, or small chiretta, is the product of Slevogtia orientalis.

Background

Swertia chirata is a plant that grows at high elevations in Kashmir, Nepal, and Bhutan. It is an annual plant with yellow flowers that grows to 2-3 feet tall. Today, the plant is threatened with extinction because of poor seed germination and low viability, and efforts are being taken to preserve it.
Swertia chirata is known for its bitter taste and has been used in traditional medicine to treat liver disorders, malaria, diabetes, fever, and skin diseases. Swertia chirata is used in Ayurveda, a form of traditional medicine that originated in India, and is thought to help treat liver disorders and malarial fevers. Swertia chirata has also been used in other traditional medicine systems, such as Unani and Siddha.
At this time, there is a lack of data to support of the use of Swertia chirata for any condition. Further research is needed before conclusions can be made.

Evidence Table

These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *
These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)

Tradition / Theory

The below uses are based on tradition, scientific theories, or limited research. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. There may be other proposed uses that are not listed below.

Dosing

Adults (18 years and older)
As a tonic, Swertia chirata has been taken by mouth as an infusion or tincture in doses of 5-30 grains with honey three times daily. Swertia chirata has been taken by mouth in hot water with cloves or cinnamon in doses of up to one fluid ounce. Up to two ounces of Swertia chirata has been taken by mouth twice daily before meals.

Safety

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and supplements. There is no guarantee of strength, purity or safety of products, and effects may vary. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy. Consult a healthcare provider immediately if you experience side effects.

Interactions

Interactions with Drugs
Swertia chirata may lower blood sugar levels. Caution is advised when using medications that may also lower blood sugar. People taking insulin or drugs for diabetes by mouth should be monitored closely by a qualified healthcare professional, including a pharmacist. Medication adjustments may be necessary.
Swertia chirata may also interact with agents that may be toxic to the liver, agents that may stimulate the central nervous system, agents that may treat urinary stones, antibiotics, anticancer agents, antileishmanial agents, antiobesity agents, antiparasitic agents, antiulcer agents, and antiviral agents.

Attribution

This information is based on a systematic review of scientific literature edited and peer-reviewed by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com).

Bibliography

Chaudhuri RK, Pal A, Jha TB. Conservation of Swertia chirata through direct shoot multiplication from leaf explants. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY REPORTS 2008;2(3):213-218.
Chaudhuri RK, Pal A Jha TB. Production of genetically uniform plants from nodal explants of Swertia chirata Buch.-Ham. ex Wall. - an endangered medicinal herb. IN VITRO CELLULAR & DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY-PLANT 2007;43(5):467-472.
Chaudhuri RK, Pal A Jha TB. Regeneration and characterization of Swertia chirata Buch.-Ham. Ex Wall. plants from immature seed cultures. SCIENTIA HORTICULTURAE 3-3-2009;120(1):107-114.
Iqbal, Z, Lateef M, Khan MN, et al. Anthelmintic activity of Swertia chirata against gastrointestinal nematodes of sheep. Fitoterapia 2006;77(6):463-465.
Koul S, Suri KA, Dutt P, et al. Protocol for in vitro regeneration and marker glycoside assessment in Swertia chirata Buch-Ham. Methods Mol.Biol. 2009;547:139-153.
Madhuri S and Pandey G. Some dietary agricultural plants with anticancer properties. PLANT ARCHIVES 2008;8(1):13-16.
Rawat MSM and Dutt KR. Comparison of ethyl acetate extracts of Allium cepa bulbs, Luffa acutangula fruits, Nyctanthes arbostristis leaves, Swertia chirata twigs and Woodfordia floribunda leaves with Silymarin for hepatoprotective activity. PLANT ARCHIVES 2007;7(1):183-186.
Saha P, Mandal S, Das A. Amarogentin can reduce hyperproliferation by downregulation of Cox-II and upregulation of apoptosis in mouse skin carcinogenesis model. Cancer Lett. 12-8-2006;244(2):252-259.
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Suryawanshi S, Asthana RK, Gupta RC. Simultaneous estimation of mangiferin and four secoiridoid glycosides in rat plasma using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry and its application to pharmacokinetic study of herbal preparation. J.Chromatogr.B Analyt.Technol.Biomed.Life Sci. 10-15-2007;858(1-2):211-219.
Suryawanshi S, Mehrotra N, Asthana RK. Liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometric study and analysis of xanthone and secoiridoid glycoside composition of Swertia chirata, a potent antidiabetic. Rapid Commun.Mass Spectrom. 2006;20(24):3761-3768.
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Verma H, Patil PR, Kolhapure RM. Antiviral activity of the Indian medicinal plant extract Swertia chirata against herpes simplex viruses: a study by in-vitro and molecular approach. Indian J.Med.Microbiol. 2008;26(4):322-326.
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