# Chitrak

> Chitrak (Plumbago zeylanica L.) is a plant used in Ayurveda. Deepana-Pachana (digestive stimulant) activity confirmed by gastric secretion enhancement studies. Listed in Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India.

## Key facts

- **Botanical name:** Plumbago zeylanica L.
- **Pharmacopoeia status:** Listed in Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. Traditional Shodhana (purification) process mandated before internal use per Ayurvedic texts. No dedicated WHO monograph available.

## Names and identification

| Language | Name |
|----------|------|
| English | Chitrak |
| Latin/Botanical | *Plumbago zeylanica L.* |

## Key Phytochemical Constituents

- [Plumbagin](/glossary/compounds-o-q/#plumbagin) (5-hydroxy-2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone)
- 3,3'-biplumbagin
- Chitranone
- Zeylanone
- Isozeylanone
- Droserone
- Elliptinone
- Beta-[sitosterol](/glossary/compounds-q-t/#sitosterol)

## How does it work?

- NF-kB inhibition: Plumbagin suppresses NF-kB-regulated transcription of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IFN-gamma, IL-6, iNOS).
- Digestive fire enhancement (Deepana-Pachana): Stimulates gastric secretion and enhances digestive enzyme activity through pungent and hot potency.
- [Anticancer](/reference/anticancer/) activity: Anti-proliferative, chemopreventive, radiosensitizing, anti-angiogenic, and anti-metastatic actions via multiple signaling pathways.
- [Antioxidant](/reference/antioxidant/) mechanism: Generates phenoxyl radicals upon reaction with hydroxyl, alkyl peroxyl, and glutathiyl radicals, scavenging reactive oxygen species.
- [Antimicrobial](/reference/antimicrobial/) action: Disrupts microbial cell membranes and inhibits essential [enzymes](/glossary/compounds-d-g/#enzymes) in pathogenic organisms.

## Which traditional uses are supported by research?

- Deepana-Pachana (digestive stimulant) activity confirmed by gastric secretion enhancement studies.
- Anti-inflammatory properties validated through NF-kB pathway inhibition research.
- Antimicrobial activity confirmed against multiple bacterial and fungal strains.
- [Hepatoprotective](/reference/hepatoprotective/) effects demonstrated in animal models of liver injury.
- Wound healing properties validated in preclinical models.

## What do recent clinical trials show?

- Bhinde SS, Ravi AK, Patgiri BJ and others 2020. [Standard operating procedure of Purification of Chitraka (Plumbago zeylanica Linn.) along with pharmacognostical and analytical profiles of Plumbagin](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34908796/). *Ayu*. PMID [34908796](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34908796/) · [doi:10.4103/ayu.AYU_299_20](https://doi.org/10.4103/ayu.AYU_299_20)  
  Established SOPs for traditional Shodhana (purification) of Chitrak root, with analytical profiling confirming plumbagin retention after purification. Purification process reduces toxicity while preserving therapeutic activity.
- Thekkumkara S, Longchar A, Venkidasamy B and others 2025. [Different Derivatives of Plumbagin Analogue: Bioavailability and Their Toxicity Studies](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40842665/). *Food science & nutrition*. PMID [40842665](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40842665/) · [doi:10.1002/fsn3.70720](https://doi.org/10.1002/fsn3.70720)  
  Investigated plumbagin derivatives to address poor bioavailability due to low solubility and metabolic instability. Novel analogues showed improved pharmacokinetic profiles with reduced toxicity compared to parent compound.

*2 further claims previously listed here could not be traced to a published paper and have been removed. An absence here means we could not identify the source, not that no work exists.*

## Recent safety updates

- Plumbagin is toxic at high doses: causes cytotoxicity, organ toxicity, oxidative stress, and genotoxicity. Clinical use limited by narrow therapeutic window.
- Contraindicated in peptic ulcer disease and ulcerative colitis due to strong Ushna Virya (hot potency). Overuse causes GI irritation, heartburn, and burning sensation.
- Negligible interaction with CYP450 isozymes in polyherbal formulations (Trimada study), suggesting safety in combination preparations at therapeutic doses.

## What is it made of?

### Key Active Markers

- Plumbagin
- Sitosterol
- Chitranone
- Zeylanone
- Isozeylanone
- Droserone
- Elliptinone
- Beta-

**Analytical Methods:** HPLC fingerprinting, TLC (identity), LC-MS/MS (marker quantification)

## Dosage forms and preparation

**Dosage Forms:** Churna (root powder), Tablet, Capsule, Kashayam (decoction), [Chitrakaharitaki](/herb/chitrakaharitaki/) Avaleha, [Chitrakadi Vati](/formulation/chitrakadi-vati/)

**Standard Dosage:** 1-3g root powder twice daily; 250-500mg extract capsule; 50-100ml decoction. CAUTION: Potent herb—do not exceed recommended dose. Contraindicated in pregnancy.

**Bioavailability:** Plumbagin shows good oral bioavailability (40-55%) with rapid absorption (Tmax 0.5-1h). Highly lipophilic (logP ~3.0)—lipid vehicles significantly enhance absorption. Plumbagin undergoes hepatic metabolism via CYP1A2 and CYP3A4. Narrow therapeutic index: precise dosing critical. Milk and ghee vehicles reduce GI irritation while maintaining absorption. Self-emulsifying formulations can improve bioavailability by 2-3x.

**Optimal Timing:** Before meals with warm water or buttermilk for digestive stimulation; with ghee or milk to reduce GI irritation; not at bedtime

**Standardized Extract:** Root extract standardized to plumbagin NLT 1.5% (lower concentrations for safety); total naphthoquinones NLT 2%. Aqueous extract 5:1 for milder preparations.

**Shelf Life:** 2 years (powder); 3 years (tablet/capsule)

**Storage:** Airtight, light-protected containers—plumbagin is photosensitive. Cool, dry conditions below 25°C. Keep away from children. Clearly labeled as potent herb.

**Marker Compounds:** Plumbagin, 3,3'-Biplumbagin, Chitranone, Droserone, Elliptinone, Beta-sitosterol, Zeylanone

### Extraction Methods

- Hydroalcoholic extraction (80:20 ethanol:water) for plumbagin enrichment
- Ethanol extraction (95%) for maximum plumbagin yield
- Aqueous decoction for milder preparations
- Supercritical CO2 for plumbagin-rich fraction
- Soxhlet with chloroform for research-grade plumbagin

### Synergistic Combinations

- With [Haritaki](/herb/haritaki/) in [Chitrakaharitaki](/herb/chitrakaharitaki/) for digestive disorders
- With [Pippali](/herb/pippali/) for Agni (digestive fire) enhancement
- With [Vidanga](/herb/vidanga/) for Krimi (parasitic infection) management
- With Shunthi for Ama (metabolic toxin) digestion
- With [Guduchi](/herb/guduchi/) for autoimmune modulation

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Canonical version of this page: https://nighantu.ageayurveda.com/herb/chitrak/

## Sources

- Amidha Ayurveda Herb Database (700+ herbs, CC-BY-4.0)
- Web research (clinical trials, WHO monographs, safety databases)
- Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India

Published by Age Ayurveda in the Nighantu. Educational reference only, not medical advice.
Incorporates material from the Amidha Ayurveda Herb Database under CC BY 4.0.