Ethnopharmacological relevance

The present study has indicated phytochemical composition, distribution and ethno-medicinal uses of Arnebia euchroma (Royle) I.M. Johnst, which is commonly known as “Ratanjot” in the Indian subcontinent. It has widely been used in the traditional systems of the Unani, Ayurvedic and Chinese medicines recipes due to its anti-fungal and anti-microbial properties. Instead, the gap of earlier studies is well defined that will be helpful for researchers to carry out more analysis and increase medicinal importance of this plant.

Aim of study

The main aim of this review study is to demonstrate the phytochemical composition and traditional ethno-medicinal uses of A. euchroma all over the world. Earlier studies related to this plant have been discussed in the present study and on that basis, future perspective of A. euchroma is also proposed.

Materials and methods

The information of A. euchroma has been gathered from various electronic database, reference books and available literature.

Results

The study has indicated that Arnebia euchroma owing to anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties is used in the traditional medicines and pharmaceutical industries for the treatment of hair problems, remitting, chronic diseases, burnt limbs, cough and cold, etc., and besides as a vegetable colorant and dyeing of cloths. The important phytochemical constituents viz., shikonin, acetyl-shikonin, iso-butyryl-shikonin, β,β-di-methylacryl-shikonin, isovaleryl-shikonin, β-hydroxy-isovaleryl-shikonin, deoxy-shikonin, isobutyl-shikonin, arnebinone, arnebin-7, stigmasterol, etc., isolated from the roots of Arnebia euchroma are used for curing various harmful diseases.

Conclusions

The earlier studies have confirmed that Arnebia euchroma is having wound healing, anti-microbial and anti-bacterial properties and thus used for the treatment of several diseases. Although, a little works is done on the experimental study regarding anti-HIV, anti-cancer diseases, etc., so there is a requirement of more exploration via analytical studies on phytochemical compounds to treat such diseases. Moreover, the information of its clinical and pharmacokinetics uses is also limited. Therefore, further research is needed to understand bioavailability and pharmacokinetics of this species. In-situ and ex-situ conservations for the management of this endangered species are also lacking in the Himalayan perspective. Such studies will emphasize to explore the possibilities for its conservation and development of agro-technological protocol.