# Isabgol > Isabgol (Plantago ovata) is a plant used in Ayurveda. Total PubMed publications found: 122 Authors: Fugh-Berman A Journal: Lancet (London, England) (2000) PMID: 10675182 > Concurrent use of herbs may mimic, magnify, or oppose the effect of drugs. ## Key facts - **Botanical name:** Plantago ovata ## Names and identification | Language | Name | |----------|------| | English | Isabgol | ## Modern Research (Meta-Analysis) **Total PubMed publications found:** 122 ### Key Research Papers #### 1. Herb-drug interactions. **Authors:** Fugh-Berman A **Journal:** Lancet (London, England) (2000) **PMID:** 10675182 > Concurrent use of herbs may mimic, magnify, or oppose the effect of drugs. Plausible cases of herb-drug interactions include: bleeding when warfarin is combined with ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba), garlic (Allium sativum), dong quai (Angelica sinensis), or danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza); mild [serotonin](/glossary/compounds-q-t/#serotonin) syndrome in patients who mix St John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) with serotonin-reuptake inhibitors; decreased bioavailability of digoxin, theophylline, cyclosporin, and phenprocoumon when these drugs are combined with St John's wort; induction of mania in depressed patients who mix antidepressants and Panax ginseng; exacerbation of extrapyramidal effects with neuroleptic drugs and betel nut (Areca catechu); increased risk of hypertension when tricyclic antidepressants are combined with yohimbine (... #### 2. PLANTAGO OVATA: A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW ON CULTIVATION, BIOCHEMICAL, PHARMACEUTICAL AND PHARMACOLOGICAL ASPECTS. **Authors:** Sarfraz Rai Muhammad, Khan Hafeezullah, Maheen Safirah et al. **Journal:** Acta poloniae pharmaceutica (2017) **PMID:** 29513942 > The basic aspire of current study was to review different aspects of Plantago ovata together with its cultivation, growth, biochemistry, pharmaceutical and pharmacological attributes. Plantago ovata belongs to family [Plantaginaceae](/glossary/plant-families/#plantaginaceae). It is an annual herb, indigenous to Mediterranean region especially Southern Europe, North Africa and West Asia. Different electronic databases (Medline, Science Direct, Springer link, Pubmed, Google and Google Scholar) were analyzed for the literature on medicinal properties of Plantago ovata. The literature analysis has revealed that Plantago ovata has been endowed with diverse pharmaceutical and pharmacological activities. It is widely used in numerous medicines owing to its both pharmaceutical properties such as [mucilage](/glossary/compounds-l-o/#mucilage), superdisintegrant, gelling agent, s... #### 3. The role and therapeutic effectiveness of **Authors:** Przybyszewska Justyna, Kuźmiński Andrzej, Przybyszewski Michał et al. **Journal:** Przeglad gastroenterologiczny (2024) **PMID:** 38939069 **Keywords:** Plantago ovata husk, colorectal cancer, functional fibre, irritable bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis #### 4. Antiulcerogenic and [antioxidant](/reference/antioxidant/) activities of Plantago ovata ethanolic extract in rats. **Authors:** Khedher A, Dhibi S, Bouzenna H et al. **Journal:** Brazilian journal of biology = Revista brasleira de biologia (2022) **PMID:** 35293532 > This study aimed to determine the antiulcerogenic and antioxidant activities of Psyllium (Plantago ovata Forssk) seed ethanolic extract in rats. We assessed the antioxidant potential using free radical scavenging on DPPH, β-carotene bleaching activity, ferric reducing power, and hydroxyl radical scavenging activity. In the antiulcerogenic study, pre-treatment with Plantago ovata seeds ethanolic extract (POE) (400 mg/kg b.wt) significantly protected against ethanol-induced gastric ulcer in rats by decreasing the ulcer index value and preserving the integrity of the gastric mucosa. The oxidative stress status in the stomach tissues showed a significant increase in the antioxidant enzyme levels of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase with a significant decrease in lipid ... #### 5. [Selenium](/glossary/compounds-q-t/#selenium) biofortification improves bioactive composition and antioxidant status in Plantago ovata Forsk., a medicinal plant. **Authors:** Dey Sankalan, Raychaudhuri Sarmistha Sen **Journal:** Genes and environment : the official journal of the Japanese Environmental Mutagen Society (2023) **PMID:** 38111072 > Selenium (Se) is an essential micronutrient for humans, but its deficiency as well as toxicity affects large number of people worldwide. Plantago ovata, a commercially important medicinal plant, is mainly cultivated in western regions of India, where elevated levels of Se have been found in soil. Thus, we evaluated the potential of Se biofortification in P. ovata via phytoremediation and its effect on the bioactive composition.... **Keywords:** Biofortification, HPLC, Metallothionein, Phytoremediation, Plantago ovata, Selenium #### 6. Effect of Plantago ovata (psyllium) husk and seeds on sterol metabolism: studies in normal and ileostomy subjects. **Authors:** Gelissen I C, Brodie B, Eastwood M A **Journal:** The American journal of clinical nutrition (1994) **PMID:** 8310991 > The diet of six normal and five ileostomy subjects was supplemented with 10 g/d Plantago ovata psyllium husk for 3 wk while six normal and four ileostomy subjects received 10 g/d psyllium seed. Fecal and ileostomy output, sterol excretion, serum cholesterol, and triglycerides were measured before and after supplementation. The husk had no effect on cholesterol or triglyceride concentrations in either normal or ileostomy subjects. Total and high-density-lipoprotein-cholesterol concentrations were reduced on average by 6.4% and 9.3%, respectively, in the normal group after seed supplementation. No effect on fecal bile acid excretion in the normal subjects was found after both regimes. Ileostomy bile acids were increased (on average 25%) after seed supplementation, whereas no effect on choles... #### 7. Swimming training and Plantago psyllium ameliorate cognitive impairment and [glucose](/glossary/compounds-d-g/#glucose) tolerance in streptozotocin-nicotinamide-induced type 2 diabetic rats. **Authors:** Parsa Hesam, Moradi-Khaligh Zahra, Rajabi Sara et al. **Journal:** The journal of physiological sciences : JPS (2021) **PMID:** 34837961 > Brain malfunction is common in diabetic patients. On the other hand, a growing body of research points to the beneficial effect of medicinal plants and exercise training on insulin sensitivity and brain function. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of co-administration of swimming training and Plantago psyllium (mixed with standard pelleted food at a weight ratio of 5%) on learning and memory impairment and glucose tolerance in type 2 diabetic rats. For this purpose, 10 healthy and 40 rats with type 2 diabetes were randomly allocated to five groups: healthy sedentary control group (Con), sedentary diabetic group (D), diabetic group subjected to swimming training (D + Tr), diabetic group receiving P. psyllium (D + Ps), and diabetic group subjected to swimmi... **Keywords:** Learning and memory, Metabolic disorders, Plantago psyllium, Rat, Swimming training, Type 2 diabetes #### 8. Probiotics, fibre and herbal medicinal products for functional and inflammatory bowel disorders. **Authors:** Currò Diego, Ianiro Gianluca, Pecere Silvia et al. **Journal:** British journal of pharmacology (2017) **PMID:** 27696378 > Functional bowel disorders (FBD), mainly irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and functional constipation (FC, also called chronic idiopathic constipation), are very common worldwide. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, although less common, has a strong impact on patients' quality of life, as well as being highly expensive for our healthcare. A definite cure for those disorders is still yet to come. Over the years, several therapeutic approaches complementary or alternative to traditional pharmacological treatments, including probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, fibre and herbal medicinal products, have been investigated for the management of both groups of diseases. However, most available studies are biased by several drawbacks, including small s... ## What is it made of? ### Key Active Markers - Derived from constituent herbs (see individual herb profiles) - Standardized on primary bioactive markers **Analytical Methods:** HPLC fingerprinting, TLC (identity), LC-MS/MS (marker quantification) ## Dosage forms and preparation **Dosage Forms:** Husk (Sat-Isabgol), Granules, Capsule, Tablet, Powder, Oral suspension **Standard Dosage:** 5-10g husk in 200ml water 1-3 times daily; 3.5g powder per dose; must be taken with adequate water **Bioavailability:** Plantago ovata husk is a non-absorbable soluble fiber (arabinoxylan polysaccharide). It is NOT systemically absorbed and acts locally in the GI tract through water absorption (forming mucilaginous gel absorbing 40x its weight in water), stool bulking, and prebiotic effects. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) produced by colonic fermentation of husk are absorbed and provide systemic metabolic benefits. Cholesterol-lowering effect is via bile acid binding in the gut. **Optimal Timing:** At bedtime or 30 minutes before meals with a full glass of water (minimum 200ml). For cholesterol: before meals. For constipation: at bedtime. **Standardized Extract:** Not applicable - whole husk is used. Quality defined by swelling index (minimum 40 ml/g), mucilage content, and purity (absence of seeds/foreign matter) **Shelf Life:** 3 years (husk, properly sealed); 3 years (granules); 3 years (capsule) **Storage:** Cool, dry place below 25°C. CRITICAL: protect from moisture. Packaging must be moisture-proof (aluminum foil laminate or HDPE with desiccant). High humidity causes clumping and loss of swelling capacity. **Marker Compounds:** Arabinoxylan (gel-forming polysaccharide), Swelling index (pharmacopoeial test), Mucilage content, Planteose ### Extraction Methods - Mechanical separation (husk from seed) - No chemical extraction needed - whole husk is the active product - Granulation with flavoring agents for palatability - Microcrystalline cellulose blending for capsule filling ### Synergistic Combinations - With [Triphala](/herb/triphala/) for comprehensive bowel health - With probiotics for enhanced prebiotic action - With [Senna](/herb/senna/) for stronger [laxative](/reference/laxative/) effect (acute constipation) - With [Methi](/herb/methi/) (fenugreek) for cholesterol management --- Canonical version of this page: https://nighantu.ageayurveda.com/herb/isabgol/ ## Sources - Amidha Ayurveda Herb Database (700+ herbs, CC-BY-4.0) - PubMed / NCBI (122 publications) - AgeAyurveda Product Catalog - 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.