Chitrak
Plumbago zeylanica L.
Chitrak (Plumbago zeylanica L.) is a plant drug, also called Citraka. Deepana-Pachana (digestive stimulant) activity confirmed by gastric secretion enhancement studies. Listed in Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India.
| Botanical name | Plumbago zeylanica L. |
|---|---|
| Family | Plumbaginaceae |
| Order | Caryophyllales |
| Pharmacopoeia status | Listed in Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. Traditional Shodhana (purification) process mandated before internal use per Ayurvedic texts. No dedicated WHO monograph available. |
| Taxon identifiers | GBIF 3082282 · Wikidata Q5240308 · NCBI Taxonomy 76149 |
| Sanskrit | चित्रक (citraka) |
|---|---|
| Tamil | கொடிவேலி |
Sources: India Flora Online (IISc) herbsheet for Plumbago zeylanica, Sanskrit 'Chitraka'; the species is the official source of the API drug Citraka (dried mature root of Plumbago zeylanica Linn.).; University of Madras Tamil Lexicon and Miron Winslow's Comprehensive Tamil and English Dictionary, via agarathi.com: 'A running plant whose root is a powerful caustic, rose coloured Lead-wort, Plumbago Zeylanica, L.'; Madras Lexicon 'Ceylon leadwort'. Independently in India Flora Online (IISc) as Tamil 'Kodivaeli'.. How we source.
The evidence at a glance
12papers on this site for this drug, published 1982 to 2026, every one with a DOI.
- 1Systematic reviews and meta-analyses
- 6Other clinical studies and reviews
- 5Laboratory and animal studies
A count is not a conclusion and a tier is a study design, not a verdict. Each paper is listed with what it measured on the page below. See the research index for how papers are tiered.
Names and identification
| Language | Name |
|---|---|
| English | Chitrak |
| Latin/Botanical | Plumbago zeylanica L. |
Key Phytochemical Constituents
- Plumbagin (5-hydroxy-2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone)
- 3,3’-biplumbagin
- Chitranone
- Zeylanone
- Isozeylanone
- Droserone
- Elliptinone
- Beta-sitosterol
How does it work?
- NF-kB inhibition: Plumbagin suppresses NF-kB-regulated transcription of pro-inflammatory mediators (IFN-gamma, IL-6, iNOS).
- Digestive fire enhancement (Deepana-Pachana): Stimulates gastric secretion and enhances digestive enzyme activity through pungent and hot potency.
- Anticancer activity: Preclinical studies of plumbagin have reported anti-proliferative, chemopreventive, radiosensitizing, anti-angiogenic, and anti-metastatic activity via multiple signaling pathways.
- Antioxidant mechanism: Generates phenoxyl radicals upon reaction with hydroxyl, alkyl peroxyl, and glutathiyl radicals, scavenging reactive oxygen species.
- Antimicrobial action: Disrupts microbial cell membranes and inhibits essential enzymes in pathogenic organisms.
Which traditional uses are supported by research?
These summaries come from the source notes, which do not name the studies behind them.
- Deepana-Pachana (digestive stimulant): traditionally used to stimulate digestion. Studies have reported increased gastric secretion.
- Research has reported anti-inflammatory activity involving inhibition of the NF-kB pathway.
- Studies have reported antimicrobial activity against several bacterial and fungal strains.
- Hepatoprotective effects have been reported in animal studies of liver injury.
- Preclinical studies have reported wound healing activity.
What do recent studies 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. Ayu. PMID 34908796 · doi: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. Food science & nutrition. PMID 40842665 · doi: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.
Only studies that could be traced to a published paper are listed here. 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.
- One study of the Trimada formulation reported negligible interaction with CYP450 isozymes.
What is it made of?
Key Active Markers
- Plumbagin
- Sitosterol
- Chitranone
- Zeylanone
- Isozeylanone
- Droserone
- Elliptinone
- Beta-
Dosage forms and preparation
Dosage Forms: Churna (root powder), Tablet, Capsule, Kashayam (decoction), Chitrakaharitaki Avaleha, 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.
Optimal Timing: Before meals with warm water or buttermilk for digestive stimulation; with ghee or milk to reduce GI irritation; not at bedtime
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
Synergistic Combinations
- With Haritaki in Chitrakaharitaki for digestive disorders
- With Pippali for Agni (digestive fire) enhancement
- With Vidanga for Krimi (parasitic infection) management
- With Shunthi for Ama (metabolic toxin) digestion
Published research
Literature indexed in PubMed that concerns this subject, grouped by study type. A paper appearing here is a record of what has been published, not evidence that the subject works, and laboratory or animal results do not transfer to people. Study titles link to PubMed so you can read the source rather than take our word.
Systematic reviews and meta-analyses1
- 2018. Cytotoxicity of Plant-Mediated Synthesis of Metallic Nanoparticles: A Systematic ReviewInternational journal of molecular sciences. PMID 29891772 · doi:10.3390/ijms19061725
Other clinical studies and reviews6
- 2026. Exploring the Therapeutic Potential of Plumbagin: Its Current Applications in Cancer and Neuropsychiatric DisordersCurrent medicinal chemistry. PMID 39851111 · doi:10.2174/0109298673345583241226093530
- 2025. Different Derivatives of Plumbagin Analogue: Bioavailability and Their Toxicity StudiesFood science & nutrition. PMID 40842665 · doi:10.1002/fsn3.70720
- 2025. Ameliorative Effect of Herbal Medicine in the Management of HepatotoxicityEndocrine, metabolic & immune disorders drug targets. PMID 39318011 · doi:10.2174/0118715303319815240819053924
- 2024. Concept of dementia (Nisy ā n) in Unani system of medicine and scientific validation of an important Unani pharmacopoeial preparation 'Majoon Vaj' for its management: a reviewJournal of complementary & integrative medicine. PMID 37384842 · doi:10.1515/jcim-2021-0447
- 2020. Anticancer Effects and Mechanisms of Action of Plumbagin: Review of Research AdvancesBioMed research international. PMID 33344645 · doi:10.1155/2020/6940953
- 1982. Research on plants for fertility regulation in IndiaJournal of ethnopharmacology. PMID 6752588 · doi:10.1016/0378-8741(82)90004-6
Laboratory and animal studies5
- 2025. Network pharmacology analysis of Plumbago zeylanica to identify the therapeutic targets and molecular mechanisms involved in ameliorating hemorrhoidsJournal of biomolecular structure & dynamics. PMID 37948311 · doi:10.1080/07391102.2023.2280681
- 2024. Plumbagin ameliorates LPS-induced acute lung injury by regulating PI3K/AKT/mTOR and Keap1-Nrf2/HO-1 signalling pathwaysJournal of cellular and molecular medicine. PMID 38990057 · doi:10.1111/jcmm.18386
- 2024. Purification and structural characterization of two polysaccharides with anti-inflammatory activities from Plumbago zeylanica LInternational journal of biological macromolecules. PMID 38232876 · doi:10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.129455
- 2024. The complete chloroplast genome of the medicinally important plant Plumbago zeylanica L. (plumbaginaceae) and phylogenetic analysisMitochondrial DNA. Part B, Resources. PMID 38586506 · doi:10.1080/23802359.2024.2333574
- 2024. Forecasting the Pharmacological Mechanisms of Plumbago zeylanica and Solanum xanthocarpum in Diabetic Retinopathy Treatment: A Network Pharmacology, Molecular Docking, and Molecular Dynamics Simulation StudyBiology. PMID 39336159 · doi:10.3390/biology13090732
Reviewed by Dr. Awadesh Pratap Singh, BAMS, on 11 October 2026. What that review covered.
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