Picrorrhiza kurroa (also known as kutki) is an important herb in traditional ayurvedic medicine. It grows on the Himalayan slopes of north-west India at altitudes of between 3,000 and 5,000 metres.
¤ The traditional hepato-protective use of Picrorrhiza kurroa has been confirmed by many in vitro, animal and in vivo studies. Picrorrhiza kurroa protects liver cells from powerful poisons such as amanita phalloides, carbon tetrachloride, ethanol, aflatoxin B1, acetaminophen and oxytetracycline.
¤ The hepato-protective effects of Picrorrhiza kurroa and silymarin have been found to be similar and in several cases, Picrorrhiza kurroa was actually more effective. In fact, its hepato-protective effect is as powerful as that of silybin (the most potent alkaloid of silymarin) and its curative effect is slightly better. Picrorrhiza kurroa has also proved beneficial as an adjunct treatment for hepatitis B, fatty liver and cirrhosis, and for promoting regeneration of liver cells by stimulating protein synthesis and production of nucleic acids.
¤ Picrorrhiza kurroa is a powerful antioxidant which inhibits generation of both malondialdeyde (a marker of oxidative stress) and of anion superoxide, a free radical. Its antioxidant activity has been compared to that of superoxide dismutase (SOD).
¤ Picrorrhiza kurroa has been shown in vitro to have an anti-inflammatory effect on neutrophils, macrophages and mastocytes and, in vitro, a choleretic activity (stimulating bile production) superior to that of silymarin.