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REVIEW
Swertia (Gentianaceae): Chemical and Pharmacological Aspects
by Goutam Brahmachari*, Sadhan Mondal, Arindam Gangopadhyay, Dilip Gorai,
Bodhiswatta Mukhopadhyay, Shamal Saha, and Arun K. Brahmachari
Natural Product Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Visva-Bharati University, Santiniketan ± 731 235,
West Bengal, India
(e-mail: brahmg2001@yahoo.co.in)
A compilation of the constituents isolated from Swertia species covering the literature up to December 2003
is presented. The botanical classification and ethno-pharmacology of Swertia plants, as well as the biological
activities and pharmacological applications of both distinct phytochemicals and medicinally acitve plant
materials (formulations, extracts, etc.) are discussed in detail.
1. Introduction. ± Among the plants often used in traditional medicine, Swertia
species, which belong to the Gentianaceae family, play a vital role. A variety of Swertia
plants are used as crude drugs in the Indian pharmacopoeia. Swertia chirata Buch.^
Ham, commonly known as −chirayata×, demands special attention in this regard because
of its multidirectional use as a bitter stomachic, febrifuge, anthelmintic, antimalarial,
and antidiarrheal [1]. In Chinese traditional medicine, ca. 20 species of this genus are
being used for the treatment of hepatic, choleric, and inflammatory diseases [2] [3]. The
herb of S. purpurascens is used in Pakistan as a substitute of S. chirata, and, in Japan, S.
japonica Maniko is an important bitter stomachic [4] [5]. The plants of the Swertia
genus are rich sources of xanthones, flavonoids, irridoid and seco-irridoid glycosides,
terpenoids, and alkaloids.
In earlier reviews [6 ± 8] on Swertia, the chemical constituents of this genus have
been compiled from time to time. However, the present review offers a complete
compilation of the chemical constituents of Swertia reported until the end of 2003,
along with detailed pharmacological applications and significant biological activities
exhibited by different crude extracts of varying plant species and their chemical
constituents. All constituents were classified and listed in Tables 1 ± 6, and Table 7 offers
a closer look into the biological and pharmacological properties of isolated
phytochemicals.
2. Botanical Classification. ± The genus Swertia comprises 170 known species. The
botanical classification of this genus reads as follows: family: Gentianaceae, tribe:
Gentianeae, subtribe: Swertiinae, genus: Swertia. Most of the species found in India
grow at high altitude in the temperate Himalayas from Kashmir to Bhutan, and also in
the Khasia and Western Ghats hills [9]. Moreover, 97 Swertia species have been
reported to be distributed in main land China [10].
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3. Traditional Applications of Swertia Species. ± A fair number of Swertia plants
have been used since the remote past for the treatment of various ailments, particularly
in the Indian sub-continent. Some highly effective and useful traditional applications of
Swertia species in the indigenous system of medicine have been described in [11 ± 13].
One example is Swertia chirata, which, in India, is traditionally being used as a bitter
tonic in stimulating appetite and as a febrifuge. The plant is also used against asthma
and liver disorders, and, when taken with sandalwood paste, it stops internal
hemorrhage of the stomach [13]. The plant is safe, nontoxic, and does not give rise
to any side effects [14].
Other medicinally important plants are S. davidi, used as a remedy for acute
bacillary dysentery [15], S. alata, traditionally used as an appetite tonic and febrifuge
[9], S. minor, used as a substitute for S. chirata in the treatment of malarial and other
kinds of fever [13], and the plants S. petvolata and S. thomsonii, which find applications
in the Amchies system of medicine in the Laddakh region (India) [16].
Other important species, such as S. angustifolia, S. corymbosa, S. decussta, S.
hookeri, S. macrosperma, S. petiolata, S. lawii, S. paniculata, S. punctata, S. calycina, S.
purpurascens, S. bimaculata, S. ciliata, S. densifolia, S. japonica, and S. frachetiana
also belong to the traditional folklore medicine, and are being used as substitutes
for S. chirata in India, China, Pakistan, Japan, and other Asian countries in the
treatment of liver disorders, fevers, dysentery, diarrhea, stomach problems, and other
ailments.
4. Chemical Constituents. ± The phytochemical investigation of the genus Swertia,
as carried out so far, has afforded some 200 compounds with varying structural patterns.
Among these constituents, we present xanthonoids, terpenoids, flavonoids, and
alkaloids from the major classes, together with other compounds, according to the
following classification:
* Xanthonoids. Xanthonoids, i.e., 9H-xanthen-9-ones, constitute the most-abundant
class of compounds present in Swertia. The xanthene nucleus may be di-, tri-, tetra-,
penta-, or polyoxygenated, including glycosidic linkages. More than a hundred such
compounds have been reported so far from this genus (see Table 1 and chemical
formulae 1 ± 108).
* Terpenoids. Nearly 30 terpenoids with basic steroidal frameworks (compounds
109 ± 137) have been isolated from different Swertia species, and are collected in
Table 2.
* Flavonoids. Some eleven flavonoids (compounds 138 ± 148), all based on the 2,3dihydro-2-phenyl-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one nucleus (−flavone×), are known from
Swertia (Table 3).
* Alkaloids. Only a few alkaloids (compounds 149 ± 154 and sweetinine) have been
reported from different Swertia species (Table 4).
* Irridoid and Seco-Irridoid Glycosides. A total of 21 constituents of this category are
known, namely compounds 155 ± 171, as well as angustiamarin, angustioside,
nervoside, and vegeloside (Table 5).
* Miscellaneous. Some lignans, lactones, and other compounds with varying structural
patterns have been summarized under this category. They are characterized by the
formulae 172 ± 194 (Table 6).
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Table 1. Xanthonoids from Swertia. In the names given below, −xanthone× refers to 9H-xanthen-9-one (see
chemical formula).
No. Compound name
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Di- and Trioxygenated Xanthones:
1,8-Dihydroxyxanthone
1-Hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxyxanthone
1,3-Dihydroxy-7-methoxyxanthone
1,7-Dihydroxy-3-methoxyxanthone
1-Hydroxy-3,7-dimethoxyxanthone
1-[(4-Ethenylphenyl)oxy]-3,5-dimethoxyxanthone
1-Hydroxy-4-methoxyxanthone
8-Hydroxy-1,4-dimethoxyxanthone
Tetraoxygenated Xanthones:
Decussatin
( 8-hydroxy-1,2,6-trimethoxyxanthone)
10
11
1-Hydroxy-2,3,5- trimethoxyxanthone
1-Hydroxy-3,5,8-trimethoxyxanthone
12
13
14
15
16
1,3-Dihydroxy-5,8-dimethoxyxanthone
6,8-Dihydroxy-1,2-dimethoxyxanthone
1,3-Dihydroxy-4,7-dimethoxyxanthone
1,5-Dihydroxy-3,8-dimethoxyxanthone
Gentiacaulein
( 2,8-dihydroxy-1,6-dimethoxyxanthone)
17
Methylswertianin or swertiaperennin
( 1,8-dihydroxy-2,6-dimethoxyxanthone)
18
Swerchirin or methylbellidifolin
( 1,8-dihydroxy-3,5-dimethoxyxanthone)
19
20
1,8-Dihydroxy-3,5-dimethoxyxanthone
Isogentiakochianin
( 1,3,8-trihydroxy-5-methoxyxanthone)
Isobellidifolin or swertianol
( 1,6,8-trihydroxy-2-methoxyxanthone)
21
22
23
1,5,8-Trihydroxy-3-methoxyxanthone
Bellidifolin
( 1,5,8-trihydroxy-3-methoxyxanthone)
Source
S. alata [17]
S. mussotii [18], S. patens [19]
S. petiolata [20]
S. petiolata [20], S. davida [21]
S. speciosa [22]
S. mussotii [18], S. hookeri [23]
S. connata [24]
S. milensis [19]
S. mussotii [18], S. patens [19], S. hookeri [23],
S. petiolata [25], S. perfoliata [25], S. chirata [26],
S. purpurascens [27], S. milensis [28],
S. paniculata [29], S. punicea [30], S. lawii [31],
S. nervosa [32], S. racemosa [32], S. perennis [33],
S. decussata [34], S. dialata [32], S. gracilescens [32]
S. tetrapetala [35], S. tetraptera [36], S. milensis [37]
S. perfoliata [25], S. chirata [26], S. petiolata [20] [38],
S. paniculata [29], S. japonica [39], S. hookeri [23],
S. lawii [31]
S. petiolata [40]
S. decussata [34]
S. tetraptera [36]
S. chirata [41] [42]
S. connata [43], S. davida [44], S. petiolata [45],
S. punicea [30], S. thomsonii [46], S. speciosa [22],
S. perennis [33], S. nervosa [32], S. dilatata [32],
S. gracilescens [32], S. racemosa [32]
S. alata [17], S. mussotii [18], S. erythrostica [47],
S. davida [44], S. japonica [48], S. speciosa [49],
S. patens [50], S. chirata [42] [51], S. punctata [52],
S. milensis [28], S. paniculata [29], S. punicea [30],
S. lawii [31], S. nervosa [32],
S. racemosa [32], S. perennis [33] [53], S. dialata [32],
S. gracilescens [32], S. iberica [54]
S. alata [17], S. mussotii [18], S. patens [19],
S. petiolata [20], S. paniculata [29] [55],
S. chirayita [56], S. tetrapetala [35], S. japonica [37],
S. milensis [28], S. punctata [52], S. nervosa [32],
S. gracelescens [32], S. dilatata [32], S. racemosa [32]
S. milensis [57]
S. iberica [54] [58], S. punctata [52]
S. mussotii [18], S. erythrostica [47],
S. purpurascens [27], S. paniculata [29],
S. hookeri [23], S. punctata [52], S. chirata [51],
S. japonica [59]
S. japonica [60]
S. mussotii [18], S. erythrostica [61], S. chirata [26],
S. puniculata [27] [55], S. speciosa [49],
S. japonica [37] [48], S. alata [61],
S. macrosperma [62], S. purpurascens [27],
S. punicea [63], S. punctata [52], S. perfoliata [64]
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Table 1 (cont.)
No. Compound name
24
25
1,5,6-Trihydroxy-3-methoxyxanthone
Gentiakochianin or swertianin
( 1,2,8-trihydroxy-6-methoxyxanthone)
26
2,4,5-Trihydroxy-1-methoxyxanthone
27
Desmethylbellidifolin
( 1,3,5,8-tetrahydroxyxanthone)
28
Norswertianin ( 1,2,6,8-tetrahydroxyxanthone)
29
30
31
32
33
34
6-Hydroxy-1,2,8-trimethoxyxanthone
8-Hydroxy-1,3,5-trimethoxyxanthone
1,3,5,8-Tetramethoxyxanthone
1,2-Dihydroxy-5,6-dimethoxyxanthone
8-Hydroxy-1,2,6-trimethoxyxanthone
1,3-Dihydroxy-4,5-dimethoxyxanthone
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
Pentaoxygenated Xanthones:
Swertiaberin
( 1,2,3-trihydroxy-7,8-dimethoxyxanthone)
1-Hydroxy-2,3,4,7-tetramethoxyxanthone
8-Hydroxy-1,2,4,6-tetramethoxyxanthone
1,8-Dihydroxy-2,4,6-trimethoxyxanthone
2,8-Dihydroxy-1,4,6-trimethoxyxanthone
1,4-Dihydroxy-2,3,7-trimethoxyxanthone
2,8-Dihydroxy-1,5,6-trimethoxyxanthone
8-Hydroxy-1,2,5,6-tetramethoxyxanthone
Davidatin A
( 1,8-dihydroxy-2,5,6-trimethoxyxanthone)
1-Hydroxy-2,3,4,5-tetramethoxyxanthone
1-Hydroxy-3,4,5,8-tetramethoxyxanthone
1-Hydroxy-2,3,5,7-tetramethoxyxanthone
2,6,8-Trihydroxy-1,5-dimethoxyxanthone
1,3,4,5,8-Pentamethoxyxanthone
1,2,5,6,8-Pentamethoxyxanthone
1,3-Dihydroxy-4,5,8-trimethoxyxanthone
2-Hydroxy-1,3,4,7-tetramethoxyxanthone
Source
S.
S.
S.
S.
S.
S.
S.
S.
S.
S.
S.
S.
S.
S.
S.
S.
S.
S.
S.
S.
S.
S.
S.
S.
S.
S.
S.
chirata [65]
alata [17], S. mussotii [18], S. iberica [58],
erythrostica [47], S. thomsonii [46],
japonica [48], S. paniculata [29], S. perfoliata [25],
hookeri [23], S. nervosa [32], S. dilatata [32],
gracelescens [32], S. racemosa [32],
perennis [33],
chirata [51] [66], S. speciosa [67]
mussotii [18], S. lawii [31], S. dilatata [34],
nervosa [32], S. racemosa [32], S. gracilescens [32],
japonica [42], S. iberica [54], S. speciosa [22],
erythrostica [68], S. decussata [53], S. calycina [69]
erythrostica [47], S. purpurascens [27],
punicea [63], S. hookeri [23], S. macrosperma [70],
chirata [51], S. lawii [31], S. dilatata [32],
nervosa [32], S. gracilescens [32], S. racemosa [32]
erythrostica [47], S. purpurascens [27],
hookeri [23], S. dilatata [32], S. nervosa [32],
gracilescens [32], S. racemosa [32], S. chirata [51],
iberica [54], S. lawii [31], S. perennis [33],
japonica [38] [48]
paniculata [29]
mussotii [18], S. bimaculata [71]
hookeri [23]
decussata [34], S. chirata [72]
chirata [26] [51]
bimaculata [73]
S. iberica [58]
S.
S.
S.
S.
S.
S.
S.
S.
tetrapetala [35]
cordata [74], S. punucea [30]
punucea [30]
cordata [74]
bimaculata [71]
mussotii [18]
purpurascens [27], S. paniculata [29]
davida [44]
S.
S.
S.
S.
S.
S.
S.
S.
milensis [36]
purpurascens [27]
tetrapetala [35], S. mussoti [18]
mussoti [75]
angustifolia [76]
angustifolia [76]
bimaculata [71]
bimaculata [71]
Xanthone Glycosides and Other Derivatives
8-[(b-d-Glucopyranosyl)oxy]-1,2,6-trihydroxyS. iberica [77]
xanthone
1,2,6-Trimethoxy-8-[(primverosyl)oxy]xanthone a ) S. iberica [77]
Gentiabavaroside ( 2-hydroxy-1,6-dimethoxy-8- S. connata [24]
[(primverosyl)oxy]xanthone) a )
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CHEMISTRY & BIODIVERSITY ± Vol. 1 (2004)
Table 1 (cont.)
No.
Compound name
Source
55
56
8-[(b-d-Glucosyl)oxy]-2-hydroxy-1,6-dimethoxyxanthone
Isoswertianolin ( 5-[(b-glucopyranosyl)oxy]-1,8dihydroxy-3-methoxyxanthone
Swertianolin ( 8-[(b-d-glucopyranosyl)oxy]-1,5dihydroxy-3-methoxyxanthone)
S. connata [43]
S. hookeri [23], S. angustifolia [78],
S. connata [43], S. japonica [79]
S. japonica [37] [79], S. punctata [80],
S. bimaculata [81], S. punicea [63] [81],
S. nervosa [81], S. pubescens [81],
S. calycina [81], S. fasciculata [81],
S. cincta [81], S. macrosperma [62] [81],
S. angustifolia [78], S. chirata [79]
S. erythrostica [47], S. randaiensis [48],
S. japonica [79]
S. speciosa [49]
S. erythrostica [47], S. macrosperma [62],
S. punicea [63], S. chirata [82]
S. japonica [37]
S. paniculata Wall. [29]
S. paniculata Wall. [29]
S. paniculata Wall. [29]
S. paniculata Wall. [29]
S. hookeri [23]
S. speciosaI [49]
S. petiolata [45]
S. punctata [52]
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
Norswertianolin ( 8-[(b-d-glucopyranosyl)oxy]1,3,5-trihydroxyxanthone)
8-[(Glucosyl)oxy]-1-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxyxanthone
Swertiapuniside ( 8-[(b-d-glucopyranosyl)oxy]1,5-dihydroxy-3-methoxyxanthone)
1,5-Dihydroxy-3-methoxy-8-[(primverosyl)oxy]xanthone a )
8-[(Glucopyranosyl)oxy]-1,2-dihydroxy-6-methoxyxanthone
8-[(Glucopyranosyl)oxy]-1-hydroxy-2,6-dimethoxyxanthone
8-[(Glucopyranosyl)oxy]-1,2,6-trimethoxyxanthone
1-[(Glucopyranosyl)oxy]-8-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxyxanthone
8-[(Glucopyranosyl)oxy]-1,3-dihydroxy-5-methoxyxanthone
8-[(Glucopyranosyl)oxy]-1-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxyxanthone
1-[(Glucopyranosyl)oxy]-2,8-dihydroxy-6-methoxyxanthone
Norswertianin 1-b-d-glucopyranoside
( 1-(b-d-glucopyranosyl)oxy]-2,6,8-trihydroxyxanthone)
3,8-Dihydroxy-5-methoxy-1-[(primverosyl)oxy]xanthone a )
8-[(Gentiobiosyl)oxy]-1-hydroxy-2,6-dimethoxyxanthone b )
Mangiferin ( 2-(b-d-glucopyranosyl)-1,3,6,7tetrahydroxyxanthone)
2-Hydroxy-1,6-dimethoxy-8-[(b-d-xylopyranosyl-(1 ! 4)b-d-xylopyranosyl)oxy]xanthone
3,4,5-Trimethoxy-1-[(stearyl)oxy]xanthone c )
1,2-Dihydroxy-6-methoxy-8-[(primverosyl)oxy]xanthone a )
6-Hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxy-1-[(primverosyl)oxy]xanthone a )
1-[(Glucosyl)oxy]-3-hydroxy-5,8-dimethoxyxanthone
8-O-Primverosyl bellidifolin ( 1,5-dihydroxy-3methoxy-8-[(primverosyl)oxy]xanthone) a )
6,8-Bis-[(b-d-glucopyranosyl)oxy]-1,2-dihydroxyxanthone
8-[(Glucosyl)oxy]-1,2,6-trimethoxyxanthone
8-[(Glucosyl)oxy]-1,2-dihydroxy-6-methoxyxanthone
8-[(Glucosyl)oxy]-1-hydroxy-2,6-dimethoxyxanthone
1-[(Glucosyl)oxy]-8-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxyxanthone
8-[(b-Glucosyl)-1,3-dihydroxy-5-methoxyxanthone
2-Hydroxy-1,6-dimethoxy-8-[(glucosyl)oxy]xanthone
1,2,6-Trihydroxy-8-[(b-d-glucosyl)oxy]xanthone
1-Hydroxy-2,6-dimethoxy-8-[(primverosyl)oxy]xanthone a )
1-[(b-d-Glucopyranosyl)oxy]-3-hydroxy-4,5-dimethoxyxanthone
3-[(b-d-Glucopyranosyl)oxy]-1-hydroxy-4,5-dimethoxyxanthone
S. punctata [52]
S. punctata [52]
S. connata [43], S. mussotii [83],
S. macrosperma [61], S. chirata [26] [65],
S. punicea [63], S. perfoliata [25],
S. cordata [84], S. punctata [52]
S. thomsonii [46]
S. hookeri [23]
S. calycina [69]
S. speciosa [85]
S. petiolata [20]
S. japonica [37]
S. perennis [86]
S. paniculata [29]
S. paniculata [29], S. angustifolia [76]
S. paniculata [29]
S. paniculata [29]
S. hookeri [23]
S. connata [87]
S. perennis [33]
S. perennis [33]
S. angustifolia [76], S. bimaculata [73]
S. bimaculata [73]
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Table 1 (cont.)
No.
Compound name
Source
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
3-[(b-d-Glucopyranosyl)oxy]-1,8-dihydroxy-5-methoxyxanthone
1-[(Glucosyl)oxy]-2,8-dihydroxy-6-methoxyxanthone
8-[(b-d-Glucopyranosyl)oxy]-1,6-dihydroxy-2-methoxyxanthone
4-[(b-d-Glucopyranosyl)oxy]-1,3,6,7-tetrahydroxyxanthone
2-[(b-d-Glucopyranosyl)oxy]-1,3,6,7-tetrahydroxyxanthone
1-[(Glucosyl)oxy]-3,5,8-trimethoxyxanthone
1-[(Glucosyl)oxy]-3,4,5,8-tetramethoxyxanthone
8-[(Glucosyl)oxy]-1,2,5,6-tetramethoxyxanthone
1-[(b-d-Glucopyranosyl)oxy]-3-methoxy-5,8-dihydroxyxanthone
1,2,6-Trihydroxy-8-[(primverosyl)oxy]xanthone a )
1,8-Dihydroxy-6-methoxy-2-[(a-l-rhamnopyranosyl(1 ! 2)-b-d-xylopyranosyl)oxy]xanthone
1,4,5,8-Tetrahydroswertianolin
( 8-[(b-d-glucopyranosyl)oxy]-1,4,5,8-tetrahydro1,5-dihydroxy-3-methoxyxanthone)
Swertipunicoside ( 2-(b-d-glucopyranosyl)1,3,6,7-tetrahydroxy-4-(1,4,8-trihydroxy-6-methoxy9-oxo-9H-xanthen-2-yl)xanthone) d )
Demethylswertipunicoside ( 2-(b-d-glucopyranosyl)1,3,6,7-tetrahydroxy-4-(1,4,6,8-tetrahydroxy-9oxo-9H-xanthen-2-yl)xanthone)
a-Mangostin
Chiratanin ( 4-[(1,8-dihydroxy-4,6-dimethoxy-9oxo-9H-xanthen-3-yl)oxy]-1,5,8-trihydroxy-3,6dimethoxyxanthone)
Swertifrancheside ( 2-[2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-6(b-d-glucopyranosyl)-5,7-dihydroxy-4-oxo-4H-1benzopyran-8-yl]-1,4,8-trihydroxy-6-methoxyxanthone)
Isomangostin
Swertia bisxanthone ( 1,1',3,4',5,6',8,8'-octahydroxy9H,9'H-2,2'-bixanthene-9,9'-dione)
S.
S.
S.
S.
S.
S.
S.
S.
S.
S.
S.
101
102
103
104a
105
106
107
108
mussotii [88]
petiolata [89]
verticillifolia [90]
elongata [91]
elongata [91]
angustifolia [76]
angustifolia [76]
angustifolia [76]
japonica [92] [93]
iberica [77]
mussotii [88]
S. japonica [94]
S. punicea [83]
S. punicea [95]
S. chirata [96]
S. chirata [65]
S. franchetiana [97] [98]
S. chirata [96] [99]
S. macrosperma [70]
a
) Primverosyl (O-{[5-methoxy-2-(methoxycarbonyl) ]phenyl}-b-d-glucopyranosyl)-(6 ! 1)-xylopyranosyl.
) Gentiobiosyl 6-O-(b-d-glucopyranosyl)-b-d-glucopyranosyl. c ) Stearyl octadecan-1-yl. d ) Systematic
name: (1S )-1,5-anhydro-1-(1,1',3',4,6',7',8-heptahydroxy-6-methoxy-9,9'-dioxo-9H,9'H-2,4'-bixanthen-2'-yl)-dglucitol.
b
5. Biological Activity. ± Swertia species are of high pharmacological interest.
Different plant extracts have been studied for their therapeutic efficacies, and found to
be highly effective. As mentioned earlier, xanthonoids are the major class of
compounds among the chemical constituents of this genus, and, since they often
exhibit multidirectional biological activities, this spectacular segment of natural
products has created a stir among pharmacologists and biologists. Particularly,
tetraoxygenated xanthones (Table 1) have been reported to exhibit hypoglycaemic,
antihepatotoxic, antimalarial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antitumor properties, among others [8] [52] [60]. Selected biological activities, as shown by
different active principles derived from various Swertia species, are summarized in
Table 7. Significant activities of Swertia plant extracts as well as of isolated
phytochemicals are discussed below.
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CHEMISTRY & BIODIVERSITY ± Vol. 1 (2004)
Table 2. Terpenoids from Swertia
No.
Compound name
Source
109
Oleanolic acid
110
Ursolic acid
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
Hederagenin
b-Amyrin
Gammacer-16-en-3-b-ol
Lup-13(18)-en-3-b-ol
21-a-H-Hop-22(29)-en-3-b-ol
Thysanolactone
Swertialactone C
Swertialacton D
Swertanone
Swertenol
Episwertenol
Swerta-7,9(11)-dien-3-b-ol
Pichierenol
Chiratenol
Chirat-16-en-3-b-24-diol
Taraxerol
Lupeol
3-b-Hydroxy-lup-12-ene-28-oic acid
Erythrodiol
Y-Teraxasterol or heterolupeol
Kairatenol
1-b-Hydroxy-3-O-(4-hydroxybenzoyl)aleuritolic acid
Daucosterol
b-Sitosterol
3b-O-{2-O-Acetyl-4-O-[( E )-feruloyl]-b-d-glucosyl}sitosterol
Stigmasterol
Stigmast-4-en-3-one
S. tetraptera [36], S. alata [61],
S. japonica [100], S. punicea [94],
S. chirata [98]
S. cordata [84], S. petiolata [101],
S. speciosa [49], S. thomsonii [46]
S. paniculata [102]
S. paniculata [103]
S. chirata [104]
S. petiolata [101]
S. chirata [104]
S. japonica [60]
S. petiolata [105]
S. japonica [105]
S. chirata [104] [106]
S. chirata [104]
S. chirata [104]
S. chirata [107]
S. chirata [107]
S. chirata [104]
S. chirata [82]
S. chirata [104]
S. chirata [107] [108]
S. petiolata [101]
S. chirata [107]
S. chirata [107]
S. chirata [109]
S. franchetiana [98]
S. punicea [94]
S. punicea [94]
S. chirata [110]
S. chirata [111]
S. chirata [82]
Table 3. Flavonoids from Swertia
No.
Compound name
Source
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
Swertisin
Swertiajaponin
Luteolin-6-C-b-d-glucopyranoside or homo-orientin
Isoswertisin
Isovitexin
Luteolin-7-O-glucoside
Luteolin
Isoorientin-6-a-l-arabinoside
Isovitexin-6-a-l-arabinoside
Isoorientin
3',4',5,7-Tetra-O-methyl-3-O-stearylquercetin
S.
S.
S.
S.
S.
S.
S.
S.
S.
S.
S.
alata [61], S. japonica [100]
japonica [100]
paniculata [55], S. japonica [100]
paniculata [103]
perennis [33], S. bimaculata [112]
tetrapetala [35]
tetrapetala [35]
perennis [33]
perennis [33]
punctata [52]
hookerii [23]
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1641
Table 4. Alkaloids from Swertia
No.
Compound name
Source
149
150
151
152
153
154
Gentianine
Gentianamine
Gentianadine
Gentiocrucine
Enicoflavine
Gentioflavine
Sweetinine
S.
S.
S.
S.
S.
S.
S.
japonica [113], S. chirata [114a], S. purpurascens [115]
connata [116], S. marginata [117], S. graciliflora [117]
connata [116]
chirata [114a], S. purpurascens [115]
chirata [114a], S. purpurascens [115]
connata [116]
elegans [114b]
Table 5. Irridoid and Seco-Irridoid Glycosides from Swertia
No. Compound name
Source
155 Amarogentin
S.
S.
S.
S.
S.
chirata [26], S. milensis [118],
japonica [119]
chirata [26], S. japonica [119]
japonica [120]
japonica [121]
156 Amaroswerin
157 Swertiaside
158 Senburiside I ( 7-epi-7-O-(2-[3-(3,5-dihydroxy-4methoxyphenyl)prop-2-enoyl]-3-hydroxybenzoyl)loganic acid)
159 Senbburiside II
S. japonica [122]
160 Gentiopicroside or gentiopicrin
S. bimaculata [81], S. punicea [81],
S. nervosa [81], S. pubescens [81],
S. calycina [81], S. fasciculata [81],
S. cincta [81], S. macrosperma [81],
S. japonica [119], S. vivace [123]
161 Swertiapunimarin ( 6'-O-(b-d-glucopyranosyl)sweroside)
S. punicea [94]
162 Choleretic sweroside
S. japonica [124]
163 Sweroside
S. chirata [26], S. bimaculata [81],
S. pubescens [81], S. calycina [81],
S. fasciculata [81], S. cincta [81],
S. macrosperma [81], S. punicea [81] [94],
S. nervosa [81] [122], S. angustifolia [80],
S. milensis [118], S. japonica [125]
164 Swertiamarin
S. milensis [118]
165 2'-O-Acetylswertiamarin
S. milensis [118]
S. milensis [118]
166 2'-O-Acetyl-4'-O-[( E )-feruloyl]swertiamarin a )
S. milensis [118]
167 2'-O-Acetyl-4'-O-[( Z )-feruloyl]swertiamarin a )
S. milensis [118]
168 2'-O-Acetyl-4'-O-[( E )-4-hydroxycinnamoyl]swertiamarin b )
169 2'-O-Acetyl-4'-O-[( Z )-4-hydroxycinnamoyl]swertiamarin b )
S. milensis [118]
S. milensis [118]
170 4'-O-[( E )-4-hydroxycinnamoyl]swertiamarin b )
171 2'-O-[(3,3',5-trihydroxy-[1,1'-biphenyl]-2-yl)carbonyl]S. chirata [110]
sweroside
Angustiamarin
S. angustifolia [80]
Angustioside
S. angustifolia [80]
Nervoside
S. nervosa [126]
Vegeloside
S. nervosa [122]
a
) Feruloyl 3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-enoyl.
prop-2-enoyl.
b
) 4-Hydroxycinnamoyl 3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-
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CHEMISTRY & BIODIVERSITY ± Vol. 1 (2004)
Table 6. Miscellaneous Compounds from Swertia
No.
Compound name
Source
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
Syringaresinol
Semburin
Isosemburin
Neosemburin
Isoswertiol
Swertiol
4-Hydroxy-2,6-dimethoxyphenyl-1-glucopyranoside
1-Sinapoyl glucoside
5-O-[3-(Glucosyloxy)benzoyl]gentisic acid
Swertiamacroside
Epieustomoside
Nonacosanyl hentriacontanoate
Dimethyl 2-hydroxyterephthalate
2,3-Dihydroxyterephthalic acid
2-Hydroxyterephthalic acid
2,5-Dihydroxyterephthalic acid
Biphenoside A
Biphenoside B
2-Methoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone
3-Propylidene-5-pentanolide ( tetrahydro-4-propylidene-2H-pyran-2-one)
Erythrocentaurin
2-epi-Isoneoswertiol
Neoswertiol
S. chirata [26]
S. japonica [126 ± 128]
S. japonica [126 ± 128]
S. japonica [128] [129]
S. japonica [128]
S. japonica [128]
S. japonica [130]
S. japonica [130]
S. japonica [130]
S. macrosperma [62]
S. angustifolia [80]
S. chirata [111]
S. petiolata [39]
S. punicea [94]
S. chirata [131]
S. chirata [131]
S. japonica [132]
S. japonica [132]
S. calycina [69]
S. japonica [128]
S. lawii [133]
S. japonica [128]
S. aponica [128]
5.1. Hypoglycaemic Activity. The hexane fraction of the alcoholic extract of S.
chirayita is reported to show significant hypoglycaemic activity in albino rats [161].
Single oral administration at a dose of 250 mg/kg body weight induced simultaneously
a drop in blood sugar and an increase in plasma immunoreactive insulin (IRI) without
influencing liver glycogen concentration. Interestingly, daily administration of the
crude fraction at the same dose for 28 days resulted in an appreciable rise in liver
glycogen level. The authors suggested that the hexane fraction may not be capable of
inhibiting intestinal absorption of glucose and possibly acts through its insulin-releasing
effect [150].
The AcOEt (ether-soluble and -insoluble), BuOH, and H2O-soluble fractions of an
aqueous ethanolic extract of S. japonica displayed a blood-sugar-lowering effect in
streptozotocin (STZ)-induced hyperglycaemic rats [151]. The aqueous ethanolic
extract was reported to be more effective in comparison to a mixture of tolbutamide
and buformine, and the same is true for the ethanolic extract of S. chirayita in lowering
the blood-glucose level under similar experimental conditions. A clinical study with an
ayurvedic capsule consisting of a number of medicinal herbs along with S. chirata was
carried out with 20 patients (administered with the capsules at a dose of 450 mg/d) of
various age groups attending the out-patient department (OPD) suffering from
hyperglycaemia. The capsules could be used without any side effects, and significant
improvements were noticed [152].
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Swerchirin (18), isolated from the hexane extract of S. chirayita, was found to have a
significant antidiabetic effect in fasted, fed, glucose-loaded, and tolbutamide-pretreated albino-rat models [136]; the effective dose (ED50 value) for lowering blood
sugar by 40% in Charles-Foster-strain (CF) male albino rats was determined to be
23.1 mg/kg (oral) [136]. A similar study [153] on the antidiabetic effect of swerchirin
(18) in fed CF rats revealed a 60% drop in blood glucose 7 h after single oral drug
administration. The researchers concluded that 18 lowers the blood glucose level by
stimulating insulin release [153].
Basnet et al. [140] studied the antidiabetic effect of bellidifolin (23), another
xanthonoid isolated from the AcOEt fraction of S. japonica, and showed that the drug
exhibits a potent and dose-dependent hypoglycaemic activity (26% decrease in bloodglucose level) in normal as well as STZ-induced diabetic rats upon either oral or
intraperitoneal administration at a dose of 50 mg/kg [57]. Both bellidifolin (23) and
swerchirin ( methylbellidifolin; 18) showed significant activity, but bellidifolin was
found to be more potent than swerchirin [140]. The drug also significantly lowers the
blood-triglyceride level [57] [140]. The authors assumed that the drug might work
directly as a hypoglycaemic agent on peripheral tissues by means of a mechanism
similar to that of vanadate, or it may have an activity similar to that of the
extrapancreatic action of sulfonylurea [140].
5.2 Antihepatotoxic Activity. Karan et al. [136] [154] evaluated the MeOH extract of
S. chirata (whole plant) for its antihepatotoxic activity against CCl4-induced liver
toxicity in experimental rats. The activity was found to be more pronounced for the
CHCl3-soluble fraction in comparision to the BuOH-soluble one. The MeOH extract as
a whole showed activity at a dose of 100 mg/kg body weight when applied intraparenterally (ip), but the CHCl3-soluble fraction was found to be most active at a dose
of 25 mg/kg body weight, with overall protection of 81 and 78% against paracetamol 1)
and galactosamine, respectively [154].
In another study, the hexane, CHCl3 , and BuOH fractions of the MeOH extracts of
eight Swertia species were screened for their antihepatotoxic activity against CCl4 and
paracetamol toxicity in primary monolayer cultures of rat hepatocytes [155]. The
MeOH extracts and their hexane fractions of most of the species in general offered
relatively good protection. Among these, S. purpurascens, S. paniculata, S. cordata, and
S. chirata showed better responses. A polyherbal formulation, LIVP-7, of which one
component is S. chirata, provides significant protection against liver damage and
improves the hepatic excretory function in rats [156]. It has also been reported that oral
administration of −Arogyavardhini vati× (two tablets twice a day with water) and
−Phalatrikadi kashaya× (100 ml of decoction from 25 g of crude drug in two divided
doses) for one to five weeks cured 18 out of 20 patients suffering from jaundice [157].
These herbal drugs consist of S. chirata along with some other medicinal plants [157].
The effect of treatment on serum bilirubin was very satisfactory.
The BuOH extract of S. japonica showed a significant hepatoprotective effect on dgalactosamine/lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced liver injury in mice [144]. The
activity-guided fractionation of S. japonica led to the isolation of a new tetrahydroxanthone derivative, 1,4,5,8-tetrahydroswertianolin (101), as well as two known
1)
Also known as acetaminophen. Systematic name: N-(4-hydroxyphenyl)acetamide.
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Table 7. Biological Activities of Compounds Isoalted from Swertia
No.
Compound name
Activity
Source
15
17
1,5-Dihydroxy-3,8-dimethoxyxanthone
Methylswertianin
18
Swerchirin or methylbellidifolin
23
Bellidifolin
27
28
57
58
Desmethylbellidifolin
Norswertianin
Swertianolin
Norswertianolin
Anti-inflammatory
Antioxidant
Mutagenic
Hypoglycaemic
Antimalarial
Antioxidant
Mutagenic
Antihematopoietic
Hypoglycaemic
Antioxidant
Mutagenic
Cardioprotective
Antioxidant
Antioxidant
Antitubercular
Antitubercular
S. chirata [41]
S. japonica [134]
S. herba [135]
S. chirayita [136]
S. chirayita [137] [138]
S. japonica [134]
S. herba [135]
S. calycina [139]
S. japonica [140]
S. japonica [134]
S. herba [135]
S. davidi [141]
S. japonica [134]
S. japonica [134]
S. purpurascens [142]
S. purpurascens [142]
S. randsaiensis [143]
S. chirata [96] [99]
S. japonica [144]
S. chirata [96] [99]
S. chirata [96] [99]
S. franchetiana [95] [145]
S. chirata [96] [99]
S. japonica [113]
S. herba [146]
S. janonica [147]
S. chirata [148]
S. herba [146]
S. japonica [144]
S. japonica [144]
S. japonica [149]
S. japonica [134]
S. japonica [113]
S. chirata [26] [134]
S. calycina [69]
72
101
104a
104b
106
107
149
155
Mangiferin
1,4,5,8-Tetrahydroswertianolin
a-Mangostin
a-Mangostin triacetate
Swertifrancheside
Isomangostin
Gentianine
Amarogentin
156
160
163
164
Amaroswerin
Gentiopicroside
Sweroside
Swertiamarin
172
190
Syringaresinol
2-Methoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone
Anti-inflammatory
Antihepatotoxic
Anti-inflammatory
Anti-inflammatory
Anti-HIV
Anti-inflammatory
Anti-ulcer, antigastritis
Mutagenic
Anti-ulcer, antigastritis
Antileishmanial
Mutagenic
Antihepatotoxic
Antihepatotoxic
Antimicrobial
Anticholinergic
Anti-ulcer, antigastritis
Antihepatotoxic
Antifungal
iridoids, gentiopicroside (160) and sweroside (163). Among these three compounds,
160 and 163 display mild hepatoprotective activities at a dose range of 25 ± 50 mg/kg,
whereas 101 exhibits potent activity in a dose-dependent manner. The hepatoprotective
effect of 1,4,5,8-tetrahydroswertianolin (101) is stronger than that of glycyrrhizin,
which was used as a positive control [144]. The constituents of S. japonica have been
assessed for antihepatotoxic activity by means of CCl4- and galactosamine-induced
cytotoxity in primary-cultured rat hepatocytes [5].
5.3. Antimalarial Activity. Swertia species have been reported to contain therapeutically significant antimalarial principles [158]. Swerchirin (18) from S. chirata exhibited
antimalarial activity in a rodent test system infected with Plasmodium berghei [137].
Goyal et al. showed that the compound is effective even at 20% of the standard dose of
primaquine administered via either oral or subcutaneous routes. The drug was effective
via both routes at 1.6 mg/kg and 320 mg/kg, respectively, by reaching nill parasitaemia in
CHEMISTRY & BIODIVERSITY ± Vol. 1 (2004)
1645
infected rats [137]. The antimalarial effect of the ayurvedic compound −Ayush-64×
containing S. chirata, along with Alstonia scholaris, Caesalpinia bouducella, and
Picrorhiza kurroa, was also assessed on a double-blind basis, with chloroquine/
primequine as the controls in 60 cases of malaria [138]. The study showed that the drug
is effective in 72.5% of the cases as compared to 100% response in control.
5.4. Anti-Inflammatory Activity. Significant activity against acute, sub-acute, and
chronic models of inflammation has been observed for the benzene extract of S. chirata
(whole plant ) [96]. Xanthone glucosides and prenylated xanthones, mangiferin (182),
mangostin (104a), mangostin triacetate (104b), and isomangostin (107) are known to
possess effective anti-inflammatory activities [96] [99]. Banerjee et al. [41] investigated
the anti-inflammatory efficacy of 1,5-dihydroxy-3,8-dimethoxyxanthone (15), a
chemical constituent of S. chirata in rats: the drug administered orally at a dose of
50 mg/kg inhibited carrageenin-induced and formalin-induced pedal edema by 57 and
58%, respectively. The compound also decreased the exudate volume (35%) in
turpentine-oil-induced granuloma formation in comparison to control (diclofenac).
5.5. Antioxidant Activity. Six xanthone derivatives obtained from an Et2O extract of
S. japonica, identified as bellidifolin (23), methylbellidifolin (18), swertianin (25),
methylswertianin (17), norswertianin (28), and desmethylbellidifolin (27), were shown
to possess different antioxidant activities, as judged by means of a chemiluminescent
assay [134]. The antioxidative activities of bellidifolin (23), norswertianin (28), and
desmethylbellidifolin (27) were reported to be higher than those of butylated
hydroxytoluene and w-tocopherol.
5.6. Insecticidal Activity. S. chirata exhibits significant insecticidal activity under
laboratory as well as field conditions. Petroleum ether extracts of various plant species
(stems) showed appreciable effects against the painted bug A. graminis [159].
5.7. Antimicrobial Activity. S. purpurascens showed positive activity against selected
test microorganisms [160]. S. chirata extracts were found to be effective against Grampositive and Gram-negative bacteria; the activity being more pronounced against the
former type of organisms. In another study, the aqueous, MeOH, CHCl3 , and hexane
extracts of S. corymbosa were tested in vitro for their antimicrobial properties.
Maximum inhibitory activity was observed against Staphyllococcus aureus and
Salmonella typhi [161]. Several xanthones and their d-glucosides also showed
antimicrobial activities [162], and swertiamarin (164), isolated from S. japonica,
exhibited antibacterial activity against Staphyllococcus aureus [149].
5.8. Mutagenic Activity. The mutagenic activities of bellidifolin (23), methylbellidifolin (18), and methylswertianin (17), isolated from the MeOH extract of S. herba,
were studied with respect to Salmonella typhimurium TA100 (S9 mix) [135]. The
specific mutagenic activities of methylbellidifolin (18) expressed in terms of the
number of the reverent colonies per microgram were 17.8, 6.9 and 30.4, respectively.
The mutagenic activity shown by the herb may be considered to be mainly due to
bellidifolin (23), because it is the major hydroxyxanthone (91%) in the plant species
[135]. Another study with the MeOH extract of S. herba, after treatment with nitrite,
revealed its mutagenic efficacy agaist Salmonella typhimurium TA 98 in the absence of
S9 mix. The active principles responsible were identified as amarogentin (155) and
amaroswerin (156), and their activities were shown to be associated with the 3,3',5trihydroxy[1,1'-biphenyl]-2-carboxylate moiety [146].
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CHEMISTRY & BIODIVERSITY ± Vol. 1 (2004)
5.9. Antifeeding Activity. Mallick et al. [163] investigated different extracts (AcOEt,
MeOH, benzene) of S. chirata to assess their antifeeding activities against jute
semilooper (Anomis sabulifera Guen.). The AcOEt extract at 10% concentration
showed a promising antifeeding effect.
5.10. Anticholinergic Activity. S. japonica is used in Japan as a bitter stomachic. This
traditional use led some investigators [134] to evaluate the anticholinergic efficacy of
the MeOH extract of the plant by means of rat models, which indicated a fair degree of
activity. The authors argued that the seco-irridoid glycoside swertiamarin (164), which
makes up 30% of the extract, is responsible for this activity. The EtOH extract of S.
chirata was also reported to be anticholinergic [164].
5.11. Anti-Ulcer and Antigastritis Activity. The effect of S. chirata was studied on
experimentally induced gastric ulcers in rats [164]. The EtOH extract of S. chirata
significantly reduced the intensity of gastric mucosal damage induced by indomethacin
and necrotizing agents. It produced a significant decrease in gastric secretion in pylorusligated rats. Pretreatment of rats with the extract significantly prevented EtOHinduced gastric-wall mucus depletion and restored the non-protein sulfhydryl (NP-SH)
content in the glandular stomachs. These findings are in agreement with S. chirata being
used in traditional medicine for the treatment of gastric ulcers [164].
The pharmacological effects of the MeOH extracts of S. japonica and of
swertiamarin (164) and gentianine (149) were investigated also in mice and rats
[113]. Gentianine (149) was found to exert depression of the central nervous system
(CNS) and of the anti-ulcerogenic action, as well as inhibitory action against gastric
secretions, whereas the other compounds were found to have no appreciable action
[113].
Amarogentin (155), isolated chromatographically from the MeOH extract of S.
japonica, strongly prevented gastric-ulcer formation when administered orally to rats at
a dose of 5 mg/kg [147].
5.12. Cardioprotective Activity. The protective effect of desmethylbellidifolin (27), a
major chemical component of S. davidi, on induced myocardial ischemia-reperfusion
injury was studied in rats [141]. The compound (100 or 300 mg/l) significantly improved
the recovery of cardiac function during reperfusion of isolated rat hearts, as shown by
enhancement of coronary flow, left-ventricular pressure and its first derivatives.
Furthermore, it decreased the release of creatine kinase in coronary effluent, and the
level of malondialdehyde in myocardial tissues. An in vitro study revealed that the drug
at a dose of 0.5 or 1.0 mg/kg markedly decreased infarct size and the release of creatine
kinase. The investigators suggested that these effects might be related to inhibition of
lipid peroxidation [141].
5.13. Antihematopoietic Activity. Swerchirin (18), a xanthone isolated from the
whole herb of S. calycina Franch, was investigated for its protective effect on
hematopoiesis in mice [139]. A significant increase of colony formation in the spleen
(CFU-S ) of mice irradiated with 550 rad of 60Co g-rays, and an enhancement of the
proliferative response of bone-marrow cells (BMC) to rmGM-CSF 2 ) treated with
swerchirin (18; 10 mg/kg , 3 times per week, i.p.), were observed. After introduction of
swerchirin (single dose of 10 mg/kg, i.p.), a significant increase in the number of
2)
rmGM-CSF Recombinant-murine-granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor.
CHEMISTRY & BIODIVERSITY ± Vol. 1 (2004)
1647
peripheral blood leukocytes and a rise in the serum of CSF were confirmed. The
stimulating factors were of the M-CSF type, together with other hematopoietic growth
factors, as confirmed by means of McAb of IL-3, and GM-CSF and PcAb of M-CSF.
These beneficial effects of swerchirin (18) on hematopoiesis may be related to its
activity inducing CSF-S and other hematopoietic growth factors, and demands further
evaluation [139].
5.14 Antifungal Activity. Both the MeOH and CH2Cl2 extracts of S. calycina
exhibited a strong antifungal activity against Cladosporium cucurmerinum and
Candida albicans. The compound responsible for this activity was identified as 2methoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (190) [69].
5.15. Antitubercular Activity. Swertianolin (57) and norswertianolin (58) isolated
from S. purpurascens were reported to show a weak antitubercular activity [142].
Norswertianolin (58) from S. randsaiensis also exhibited tuberculostatic activity [143].
It is interesting to note that the aglycone of norswertianolin appeared to be more active
than the parent compound, indicating the importance of the free OH group at C(1) for
activity [142].
5.16. Antileprotic Activity. An extract of S. chirata, tested against nine selected
pathogens having characteristics common to Mycobacterium laprae, was found to be
effective [165].
5.17. Anti-HIV Activity. Swertifrancheside (106), a new flavone-xanthone glucoside
isolated from S. franchetiana, was found to be a potent inhibitor of the DNApolymerase activity of human-immunodeficiency-virus-1 reverse transcriptase
(HIV-1 RT), with an IC50 (−inhibitory concentration fifty×) value of 43 mm [95] [145],
without being cytotoxic toward cultured mammalian cells. The drug binds to
DNA and was shown to be a competitive inhibitor with respect to template primer
[95].
5.18. Antileishmanial Acitivity. S. chirata was evaluated for antileishmanial activity
against Leishmania donovani infected golden hamsters, and was found to be active
[36]. The MeOH extract of the plant also inhibited the catalytic activity of
topoisomerase I of Leishmania donovani [148]. Phytochemical analysis of this MeOH
extract yielded three seco-irridoids glycosides identified as amarogentin (155),
amaroswerin (156), and sweroside (163), of which the first one is a potent inhibitor
of type-I DNA topoisomerase from Leishmania; it exerts its effect by interaction with
the enzyme, preventing binary-complex formation.
5.19. Other Activities. The H2O-soluble alcoholic extract of S. chirata was reported
to modulate initial lung fibrosis [166]. Another plant species, S. davidi, showed a
significant efficacy on acute bacillary dysentery, as confirmed in a clinical study [15].
Extracts of S. japonica were reported to contain testosterone-5-a-reductase inhibitors,
which are useful in preventing hair-loss and are being used in cosmetic industries [167].
Essential oils of S. japonica were also reported to show insect-repellent, nematicidal,
and insect-attractant activities [168].
The indigenous drug −B-Liv×, containing S. chirata as one of its major components,
was found to be effective in stimulating appetite in cases of malnutrition [94]. A
relative efficacy of the herbal preparations −Ayush-64× and −Saptaparnaghana vati×,
containing S. chirata plant extracts, on microfileria patients has also been reported
[169]. Composite herbal drugs containing S. chirata were found to be very effective
1648
CHEMISTRY & BIODIVERSITY ± Vol. 1 (2004)
when administered orally as decoctions and applied as a paste in 50 cases of scabies
[170].
6. Conclusions. ± The present resume describes the usefulness of Swertia plants,
which have a great impact with regard to multidirectional pharmacological applications
in indigenous systems of medicine. Pharmacological and clinical studies of different
chemical constituents of Swertia plants are found to be very promising, which calls for
more-systematic research of these plant materials and their active principles. Moreover, Swertia plants are rich sources of a variety of organic compounds of varying
structural patterns, and, due to their natural distribution, are, thus, highly relevant not
only for medicinal but also for chemotaxonomic studies.
The authors are thankful to the UGC, New Delhi, for financial support.
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Received June 25, 2004
Ahmed bader