Pharmacology and Chemistry of a Potent Hepatoprotective Compound Picroliv Isolated from the Roots and Rhizomes of Picrorhiza kurroa Royle ex Benth. (Kutki)

Abstract

Natural products from plants are of major pharmaceutical and therapeutic importance, several of which are often obtained from the underground parts of the concerned plants. Deviation from standard rules in modern medicines, where instead of a single isolated fraction, a group of naturally occurring components exerts the desired therapeutic effect, was noted in case of Picroliv or Kutkin of Picrorhiza kurroa. "Picroliv" mainly a glucoside, is one such compound, normally obtained from 3 - 4 years old roots and rhizomes of an endangered medicinal plant - Picrorhiza kurroa (kutki) and constitute an important component of many Indian herbal preparations, used mainly for the treatment of a variety of liver ailments. It is an iridoid glycoside mixture containing 60% picroside I and kutkoside in the ratio of 1:1.5. Picroliv has shown efficacy comparable to silymarin in rodent models of galactosamine, paracetamol, thioacetamide and CCl(4) induced hepatic damage. Picroliv has also shown cholerectic effect in rats and anti-cholestatic effect in rats, guinea pigs and cats treated with paracetamol and ethinyl estradiol. It has also anti-viral and immune-stimulant activities and is devoid of any significant CNS and CVS, autonomic and other systemic activity. Because of its apparent ability as a strong hepato-protective and immune-modulatory compound, it is in high demand in both national and international markets. The review discusses the potential of Picrorhiza in various hepatic diseases as well as the chemistry and activity of individual compound of crude drug Picroliv.

Antileishmanial efficacy of fluconazole and miltefosine in combination with an immunomodulator—picroliv

“…It is an iridoid glycoside mixture containing 60% picroside-I and kutkoside in ratio of 1:1.5 obtained from the plant Picrorhiza kurroa (root and rhizome). Constituents of picrorhiza with hepatoprotective, immunomodulatory, and related activities have been described in detail recently by Verma et al (2009). The immunostimulant activity and hepatoprotective potential of picroliv were demonstrated in mice by Puri et al (1992) and Rajeshkumar and Kuttan (2000), respectively.…”

Biosynthesis and therapeutic implications of iridoid glycosides from Picrorhiza genus: the road ahead

“…Among these iridoid glycosides, 'Kutkin' also known as 'Picroliv' obtained from 3 to 4 years old roots and rhizomes of Picrorhiza kurroa, was launched as herbal drug formulation which contained 60 % of P-I and Kutkoside in 1:1.5 ratio (Dwivedi et al 1992;Verma et al 2009). Moreover, other drug formulations containing P-I and P-II are: Katuki (1.29 % P-I and 1.16 % P-II); Arogya (1.01 % P-I and 0.55 % P-II); Livocare (4.17 % P-I and 3.25 % P-II) and Livplus (0.07 % P-I and 0.01 % P-II) (Pandit et al 2013a).…”

Yield enhancement strategies for the production of picroliv from hairy root culture ofPicrorhiza kurroaRoyle ex Benth.

“…1 It is the representative source of herbal compound, called Kutkin that has significant anti inflammatory, hepato-protective, anticholestatic, antiulcerogenic, antiasthematic, antidiabitic and immuno-regulatory properties. [1][2][3] Kutkin, is a mixture of 2 C9-iridoid glycosides, i.e. picroside I (6-O-trans Cinnamoylcatalpol) and kutkoside (10-O-Vaniloylcatalpol), 4 it is usually extracted from the dried underground parts of 3-4 y old P. kurroa plants.…”

“…picroside I (6-O-trans Cinnamoylcatalpol) and kutkoside (10-O-Vaniloylcatalpol), 4 it is usually extracted from the dried underground parts of 3-4 y old P. kurroa plants. 3 The medicinally important components of P. kurroa are picroside I, picroside II, picroside III, picroside IV, apocynin, androsin, catechol, and kutkoside. 3,5 Agrobacterium rhizogenes induced hairy root cultures have attracted much attention in recent years as advantageous resource of useful plant based compounds.…”

“…3 The medicinally important components of P. kurroa are picroside I, picroside II, picroside III, picroside IV, apocynin, androsin, catechol, and kutkoside. 3,5 Agrobacterium rhizogenes induced hairy root cultures have attracted much attention in recent years as advantageous resource of useful plant based compounds. 6 Hairy root culture has revolutionized the role of in vitro plant organ culture for the secondary metabolite production.…”