MEDICINAL PLANT PICRORHIZA SCROPHULARIFLORA(KUTKI)

1. PICRORHIZA
SCROPHULARIFLORA (KUTKI)
PRESENTED BY:
SUSHAN GAIRE B.PHARM 1ST SEM.

2. Introduction
• Picrorhiza Scrophulariflora is a small delicate
herb which generally grow only in snow clad
Himalayan mountains.It is one of the oldest
medicinal plants traded from the Karnali zone
and is generally Known as Kutki or कु टकी in
Nepali.It is regarded as one of the major
income generating non-timber forest products
found in Nepal.

3. Picrorhiza Scrophulariflora(Kutki)

4. Habitat And Range
• Kutki grows naturally in wild in alpine regions on rock
scars as well as in organic soils. It is found in Himalayan
region (Garwal to Bhutan), Southeast Tibet, North
Burma and West China. In Nepal, Kutki is distributed
abundantly in Alpine Himalaya between 3500 to
4800m. It is found in rocky places of Himalaya. It
prefers to grow generally on the rock's crevices. It
mostly grows on sloppy and cliffy mountains. In Nepal
it is also found in the eastern and central regions but
abundantly in the north-western region growing on
open, stony and grassy slopes, and on the turfof glacial
flats.

5. Description
• A perennial herb with 5–15 cm long leaves,
almost all at the base, often withered,coarsely
toothed, narrowed to a winged stalk.
• Rhizomes of the plant are 15–25 cm long and
woody.
• Flowers are small, pale or purplish blue about
8 mm, 5-lobed to the middle, and with much
longer stamens.
• Fruits are about 1.3 cm long.

6. Classification
• Picrorhiza scrophulariflora is the only species
of this genus found in Nepal.The synonym of
this species is Picrorhiza Kurroa.
Family - Scrophulariaceae
Local Name - Kutki, Katuki
English Name -Hellebore

7. Technical Pharmacological
Properties Of Kutki
Anti-tumor, Anti-oxidant, Hypoglycemic,
Immuno-modulator, Anti-inflammatory, Anti-
spasmodic, Adaptogenic, Anti-heptotoxic,
Choleretic, Neuritogenic, Hepato-regenerative
properties, Purgative, anti-viral.

8. Chemical Properties
• KITIN
• Picrorrhizin
• Cucurbitacin
• Benetic Acid
• Vanniliac Acid
• Kutki Sterol
• Apocynin
• D-Mannitol

9. Medicinal Use
• It removes toxins from the colon and is cooling in
nature.
• Diseases caused by Pitta and Kapha produces
fatty and acidic.So kutki acts as anti acidic,anti fat
and cooling in nature.
• It creates alkaline media in the blood.So it’s good
for Acne,Pimples,Complicated Skin Disorders,Uric
Acid,Urea,Creatinine etc.
• It is also beneficial in Liver and Kidney
Failure,Diabetes,Cancers Of Liver,Skin and
Psoriasis.

10. • Kutki contains Apocynin which have been proven
to give Anti Inflammatory actions, and thus helps
to reduce platelet aggregation.
• It is also useful in treating Bronchial asthma.
• It contains Cucurbitacins which have Anti tumour
activity.
• It even helps to reduce Blood cholesterol .
• The plant is also used in treating diseases like
Abdominal pain, Stomach disorders, Anaemia
and for promoting Bile Secretions.
• It is a known Immune – Modulator and helps in
treating Fever.
• Also used in Epilepsy.

12. Dosage and Administration
• Picrorhiza does not easily release its components
into water, therefore it is not usually taken as a
tea.
• It is mostly administered as a standardized (4%
kitkin) encapsulated powder extract.
• Typical adult dosage is 400 – 1500 mg/day, with
dosages up to 3.5 g/day sometimes
recommended for fevers.
• 3-4 gm is recommended as antiperiodic.
• 0.6-1.2 gm as a bitter tonic.