Swertia chirata

Swertia chirata/Drug Interactions:

  • AnthelminticsAnthelmintics: Extracts of Swertia chirata root exhibited anthelmintic activity in vitro and in animal studies on Haemonchus contortus, Pheretima posthuma, Haemonchus contortus, and the earthworm Pheretima postuma (22; 15; 23). Extracts administered to sheep naturally infected with mixed species of gastrointestinal nematodes showed a significant reduction in egg per gram of feces.
  • AntibioticsAntibiotics: Extracts of Swertia chirata showed inhibitory activity against various Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria (6). The antibacterial activity was comparable to that of gentamicin.
  • AntidiabeticsAntidiabetics: Animal studies have shown hypoglycemic activity using extracts from Swertia chirata (oral administration of 250mg/kg) (20). The extract also prolonged the blood sugar-lowering effect of tolbutamide when orally administered separately in animals (21).
  • Antileishmanial drugsAntileishmanial drugs: Extracts derived from Swertia chirata were found to exhibit antileishmanial activity in animal studies (24; 25; 14).
  • AntineoplasticsAntineoplastics: Swertia chirata has been reported to possess anticancer properties against various types of malignant and benign tumors (26). One extract containing amarogentin exhibited antiproliferative and proapoptotic activities in a mouse skin carcinogenesis model (8). The extract also exerted toxicity on the cellular growth of rat Reuber hepatoma cell line H4IIEC3/G- (4).
  • Antiobesity agentsAntiobesity agents: Extracts of Swertia chirata inhibited pancreatic lipase activity (27).
  • Antiulcer agentsAntiulcer agents: In animal research, extract of Swertia chirata significantly reduced the intensity of gastric mucosal damage induced by indomethacin and necrotizing agents (10). It produced a significant decrease in gastric secretion in pylorus-ligated rats. Pretreatment of rats with the extract significantly prevented ethanol-induced gastric wall mucus depletion and restored the nonprotein sulfhydryl (NP-SH) content in the glandular stomachs, indicating that the extract may be useful in treating gastric ulcers.
  • AntiviralsAntivirals: Swertia chirata extracts showed antiviral properties against Herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 1 (7). Infected cell cultures treated with such an extract failed to show amplification in a similar manner to acyclovir.
  • Central nervous system (CNS) stimulantsCentral nervous system (CNS) stimulants: An extract of Swertia chirata significantly reversed the CNS-stimulating effects of the drug mangiferin in albino mice and rats (28). It was determined that two Swertia chirata constituents (swertiamarin and mangiferin) antagonize each other in vivo.
  • Hepatotoxic agentsHepatotoxic agents: Several components of Swertia chirata are reported to be hepatoprotective in vitro (11; 29; 4; 30). These results are supported by histopathological examination of the liver of experimental rats (31).
  • Urinary stone agentsUrinary stone agents: Extracts of sticks of Swertia chirata have been shown to inhibit the mineralization of urinary stone-forming minerals, such as calcium phosphate, oxalate, or carbonate (16).

    • Swertia chirata/Herb/Supplement Interactions:

  • AnthelminticsAnthelmintics: Extracts of Swertia chirata root exhibited anthelmintic activity in vitro and in animal studies on Haemonchus contortus, Pheretima posthuma, Haemonchus contortus, and the earthworm Pheretima postuma (22; 15; 23). Extracts administered to sheep naturally infected with mixed species of gastrointestinal nematodes showed a significant reduction in egg per gram of feces.
  • AntibacterialsAntibacterials: Extracts of Swertia chirata showed inhibitory activity against various Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria (6). The antibacterial activity was comparable to that of gentamicin.
  • Antileishmanial agentsAntileishmanial agents: Extracts derived from Swertia chirata were found to exhibit antileishmanial activity in animal studies (24; 25; 14).
  • AntineoplasticsAntineoplastics: Swertia chirata has been reported to possess anticancer properties against various types of malignant and benign tumors (26). One extract containing amarogentin exhibited antiproliferative and proapoptotic activities in a mouse skin carcinogenesis model (8). The extract also exerted toxicity on the cellular growth of rat Reuber hepatoma cell line H4IIEC3/G- (4).
  • Antiobesity agentsAntiobesity agents: Extracts of Swertia chirata inhibited pancreatic lipase activity (27).
  • AntioxidantsAntioxidants: Swertia chirata has exhibited antioxidant effects (32; 33). In animals, the amarogentin-rich extract caused a significant reduction in lipid peroxidation and inhibition of incidence by activating glutathione-S-transferase (GST), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) (34; 35; 36).
  • Antiulcer and gastric acid-reducing agentsAntiulcer and gastric acid-reducing agents: In animal research, extract of Swertia chirata significantly reduced the intensity of gastric mucosal damage induced by indomethacin and necrotizing agents (10). It produced a significant decrease in gastric secretion in pylorus-ligated rats. Pretreatment of rats with the extract significantly prevented ethanol-induced gastric wall mucus depletion and restored the nonprotein sulfhydryl (NP-SH) content in the glandular stomachs, indicating that the extract may be useful in treating gastric ulcers.
  • AntiviralsAntivirals: Swertia chirata extracts showed antiviral properties against Herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 1 (7). Infected cell cultures treated with such an extract failed to show amplification in a similar manner to acyclovir.
  • Central nervous system (CNS) stimulantsCentral nervous system (CNS) stimulants: An extract of Swertia chirata significantly reversed the CNS-stimulating effects of the drug mangiferin in albino mice and rats (28). It was determined that two Swertia chirata constituents (swertiamarin and mangiferin) antagonize each other in vivo.
  • HepatotoxinsHepatotoxins: Several components of Swertia chirata are reported to be hepatoprotective in vitro (11; 29; 4; 30). These results are supported by histopathological examination of the liver of experimental rats (31).
  • HypoglycemicsHypoglycemics: Animal studies have shown hypoglycemic activity using extracts from Swertia chirata (oral administration of 250mg/kg) (20). The extract also prolonged the blood sugar-lowering effect of tolbutamide when orally administered separately in animals (21).
  • Urinary stone agentsUrinary stone agents: Extracts of sticks of Swertia chirata have been shown to inhibit the mineralization of urinary stone-forming minerals, such as calcium phosphate, oxalate, or carbonate (16).

    • Swertia chirata/Food Interactions:

  • Insufficient available evidence.

    • Swertia chirata/Lab Interactions:

  • Blood sugar levelsBlood sugar levels: Animal studies have shown hypoglycemic activity using extracts from Swertia chirata (oral administration of 250mg/kg) (20). The extract also prolonged the blood sugar-lowering effect of tolbutamide when orally administered separately in animals (21).