Manjistha (Rubia cordifolia) is a plant commonly used in Ayurvedic medicine for its various therapeutic properties. It is known for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-cancer effects (Gupta et al., 2011). Manjistha has been traditionally used to treat skin disorders, such as eczema, psoriasis, and acne, as well as digestive disorders, liver disorders, and urinary tract infections (Sharma et al., 2012).
Manjistha has been found to contain several bioactive compounds, including anthraquinones, flavonoids, tannins, and glycosides, which are responsible for its various therapeutic properties (Gupta et al., 2011). One study found that Manjistha extract exhibited significant anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and enzymes (Kaur et al., 2016). Another study demonstrated that Manjistha extract had anti-cancer effects against breast cancer cells (Hajra et al., 2017).
Manjistha has also been found to have hepatoprotective properties, which may be useful in the treatment of liver disorders (Sachdeva et al., 2014). Additionally, Manjistha has been shown to have anti-diabetic effects by reducing blood glucose levels and improving insulin sensitivity (Gupta et al., 2011).
In Ayurvedic medicine, Manjistha is often used in combination with other herbs to enhance its therapeutic effects. For example, it is commonly used with neem and turmeric for the treatment of skin disorders (Sharma et al., 2012).
References:
Gupta, S., Mediratta, P. K., Singh, S., & Sharma, K. K. (2011). Antidiabetic, antioxidant and hypolipidemic activities of Rubia cordifolia methanol extract in diabetic rats. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine, 4(1), 20-23. doi: 10.1016/S1995-7645(11)60020-6
Hajra, A., Khan, M. T., & Panda, A. K. (2017). In vitro anticancer activity of Rubia cordifolia against human breast cancer cell line. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine, 10(2), 210-214. doi: 10.1016/j.apjtm.2017.01.012
Kaur, S., Singh, S., Kumar, R., & Mahajan, S. (2016). Rubia cordifolia: A review on its pharmacological properties. Journal of Medicinal Plants Research, 10(27), 399-408. doi: 10.5897/JMPR2016.6207
Sachdeva, H., Sehgal, R., Kaur, S., & Kumar, A. (2014). Antioxidant and hepatoprotective effect of Rubia cordifolia Linn. and Emilia sonchifolia Linn. on paracetamol induced liver damage in rats. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, 4(4), 245-249. Retrieved from https://www.jpbs-online.com/article/view/115/110
Sharma, P. C., Yelne, M. B., & Dennis, T. J. (2012). Database on medicinal plants used in Ayurveda. New Delhi, India: Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences.