Picrorhiza kurrooa: A Promising Himalayan Medicinal Plant with Therapeutic Research and Conservation Challenges

Picrorhiza kurrooa is an herbaceous perennial plant that grows in the Himalayas, and for many years it has been used as a medicine in Ayurvedic tradition for its wide range of therapeutic applications which has been mentioned in renowned old texts like Charaka Samhita, Sushurata Samhita, Ashtanga etc. This short review paper highlights the chemical and botanical features of P. kurrooa which belongs to family Plantaginaceae with emphasis on its bioactive components such as iridoid glycosides and cucurbitacins. Pharmacological studies have found hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities in P. kurrooa aka ‘kutki’ locally. In Himalayan region kutki is known for its use in traditional systems of medicine by amchies. Molecular mechanisms of action of P. kurrooa are under study currently and this paper looks at the mode of actions as well as diseases treated by it especially liver dysfunctions, respiratory conditions, skin problems among others. Among the main obstacles that impede development in PIC research are lack of knowledge regarding active compounds, pharmacokinetic issues and regulatory restrictions. Overcoming these problems may involve multidisciplinary approaches; innovative formulation techniques; cooperation among different stakeholders while conducting clinical trials on patients or preclinical tests involving animals in order to prove its efficacy against disease using globally acceptable standards. Encouragingly, both preclinical and clinical investigations show promising results although standardization should be done along with large-scale trials to affirm safety and effectiveness as a therapy approach for P. kurrooa. Progressing in this direction would certainly go a long way in exploiting the full benefits of P. kurrooa as a drug since this will also propel novel treatment options for other diseases.