The drug contains not less than 1.3% bitter principles constituted of amarogentin (0.04%) and amaroswerin (0.03%). Other important constituents are xanthone derivatives—more than 20 in number such as chiratol, methyl beliidifolin, decissatin, 7-O-methyl swertianin, mangiferin, swertianin, swertinine, chiratinine, triterpenoids—masilinic acd and its trisaccharide ester swercinctoside, chiratenol, gammacer-16-en-3β-ol, 21-α-H-hep-22(29)-en-3β-ol, swertenol, episwertenol, pichierenol, kairatenol, oleanolic acid, gammacer-16-en-β-ol, swertanone, swertenol, ursolic acid, secoiridoid glycosides-swertiamarin, gentiopicroside, alkaloids- gentianine, gentiocrucine, enicoflavine, Triterpene alcohol – taraxerol, β-amyrin, lupeol.

Traditional uses

The entire plant and the roots are used as bitter tonic in the treatment of fever and for curing skin diseases. For its bitter, cooling and light properties, it is given in combination with other drugs in diarrhea, anemia, liver dysfunction, and bronchial asthma.

Pharmacology

The widespread use of the drug in traditional medicine reflects its pharmacological importance. Extracts of the drug are reported with anthelemintic, anti-tubercular, anti-fungal anti-inflammatory, anti-convulsant, cardiostimulant, CNS depressant, hepatoprotective, hypnotic, laxative, vermifuge and anti cholinergic properties. Seco iridoid glycosides have hypoglycemic and antipyretic properties.

Marketed products

Traditional—Mahasudarsana kvatha, Sudarsana curna, Kiratatiktadi kvatha, Bhunimbadi kvatha, Tiktapancaka kvatha, Kiratadi taila Proprietary—Zandu sudarshan, pigmento, atic care, ayush -64, diabecon, mensturyl syrup, melicon ointment are proprietary preparations.