Manjishtha
Also known as: Manjishtha, Indian madder, Indian madder root, Rubia cordifolia
Overview
Manjishtha, scientifically known as Rubia cordifolia, is a perennial climbing plant deeply rooted in Ayurvedic and other traditional medicine systems. It is primarily recognized for its purported anti-inflammatory, detoxifying, and blood-purifying properties. The most commonly utilized part of the plant for medicinal purposes is its root. Manjishtha is traditionally applied to address various health concerns, including skin disorders, inflammatory conditions, and as a supportive agent in detoxification protocols. While research on Manjishtha is ongoing, it encompasses a mix of in vitro, animal, and some human clinical studies. However, comprehensive systematic reviews or meta-analyses focusing solely on Manjishtha are limited. Much of the existing clinical evidence stems from studies involving polyherbal formulations that include Manjishtha, or from preclinical models, indicating a need for more dedicated research on the isolated compound.
Benefits
Manjishtha exhibits several potential benefits, though much of the evidence comes from preclinical studies or polyherbal formulations. Animal studies have demonstrated its anti-inflammatory effects, with hydro-alcoholic root extracts shown to reduce inflammation and tissue damage in models of colitis, along with a decrease in inflammatory markers like lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). This suggests a strong potential for managing inflammatory conditions. While traditional uses include detoxification, blood purification, and skin health, rigorous clinical validation for these specific claims is still needed. Interestingly, a pilot randomized controlled trial indicated that Manjishtha, when part of a Triphala and Manjishtha dietary supplement, might modulate gut microbiota composition. However, this evidence is preliminary, derived from small sample sizes, and requires further large-scale confirmation. Conversely, clinical trials on polyherbal formulations containing Manjishtha (e.g., Cystone) have not shown significant benefits in reducing kidney stone burden or altering urinary chemistry in calcium oxalate or cystine stone formers, suggesting limited anti-urolithic efficacy in this context.
How it works
Manjishtha's therapeutic effects are attributed to its rich composition of bioactive compounds, including anthraquinones, cyclic peptides (such as RC-18), and various other phytochemicals. These compounds are believed to possess significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The plant may exert its actions by inhibiting inflammatory pathways, thereby reducing the body's inflammatory response. Additionally, it is thought to mitigate oxidative stress by neutralizing free radicals and to modulate immune responses, contributing to its overall beneficial effects. While specific absorption and bioavailability data for Manjishtha are limited, hydro-alcoholic extracts are frequently used in research studies. The observed modulation of gut microbiota also suggests potential prebiotic effects or other microbiome-mediated mechanisms contributing to its health benefits.
Side effects
Manjishtha generally appears to have a favorable safety profile based on its traditional use and limited clinical studies. No significant adverse effects have been reported in the available clinical trials that involved polyherbal formulations containing Manjishtha. However, due to the lack of comprehensive safety data for isolated Manjishtha, caution is advised. There is insufficient information regarding specific drug interactions, and contraindications are not well-established. Therefore, individuals who are pregnant or lactating should exercise caution and consult a healthcare professional before use, as comprehensive safety data for these populations are lacking. Similarly, individuals on concurrent medications should seek medical advice to avoid potential interactions. Long-term safety data are also limited, meaning that while traditional use suggests safety, clinical confirmation for extended periods of use is still needed.
Dosage
Standardized dosing guidelines for isolated Manjishtha supplements are not yet established due to limited clinical data. In clinical studies, Manjishtha is frequently used as part of polyherbal formulations, where it is typically included at doses around 30-60 mg per tablet in combination products. Animal studies investigating its anti-inflammatory effects have utilized hydro-alcoholic extracts at higher doses, specifically 300-600 mg/kg body weight. The timing of administration and the specific formulation (e.g., extract versus raw powder) may significantly influence its absorption and overall bioavailability. Without more dedicated human clinical trials on isolated Manjishtha, it is challenging to recommend precise dosage ranges for specific therapeutic purposes. Users should be aware that dosages found in traditional practices may vary and might not align with modern scientific validation.
FAQs
Is Manjishtha effective alone or only in combination?
Most clinical evidence for Manjishtha's efficacy comes from studies on polyherbal formulations. Its effectiveness when used as an isolated supplement is less well-studied and requires more dedicated research.
Is it safe for long-term use?
While traditional use suggests Manjishtha's safety, comprehensive long-term safety data from clinical trials are currently lacking. More rigorous clinical confirmation is needed to establish its safety for extended periods.
How soon do benefits appear?
In animal models, anti-inflammatory effects were observed after 11 days of administration. However, human data are insufficient to determine the typical time course for benefits to appear.
Research Sources
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9500525/ – This in vivo rat study by Pawar et al. (2011) investigated the hydro-alcoholic root extract of Rubia cordifolia, demonstrating its ability to reduce inflammation and tissue damage in rats with indomethacin-induced enterocolitis. The study suggests anti-inflammatory potential, though it notes limitations such as the absence of a positive control and simple detection indexes, indicating a need for further validation.
- https://lcm.amegroups.org/article/view/8152/html – This source discusses clinical trials on a polyherbal formulation (Cystone) that includes Manjishtha, specifically in kidney stone patients. The randomized double-blind and open-label trials showed no significant improvement in urinary chemistry or reduction in stone burden after treatment, suggesting limited anti-urolithic efficacy of Manjishtha in this context.
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32955913/ – This pilot randomized controlled trial examined a dietary supplement containing Triphala and Manjishtha, revealing its modulatory effects on gut microbiome composition in humans. However, the study acknowledges its small sample size and preliminary nature, emphasizing the need for larger-scale randomized controlled trials to confirm these findings.