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Isabgol

Plantago ovata

Isabgol (Plantago ovata) is a plant drug, also called Snigdhajirakam and Isabagola.

Key facts
Botanical namePlantago ovata
FamilyPlantaginaceae · other entries in this family
OrderLamiales
Taxon identifiersGBIF 3189723 · Wikidata Q311228 · NCBI Taxonomy 185002
Names in other languages
Sanskritस्निग्धजीरकम् (snigdhajīrakam)
Hindiईसबगोल (īsabagola)

Sources: ICAR Directorate of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Research (DMAPR), mandate-crop page for Plantago ovata, titled ईसबगोल (dmapr.icar.gov.in/aboutus/mandatecrop/Isabgol H.html), a Government of India agricultural research body publishing the Hindi name against the species.; MMPND 'Sorting Plantago names', Plantago ovata: Sanskrit 'Snigdhajira'.. How we source.

The evidence at a glance

12papers on this site for this drug, published 1994 to 2025, 11 with a DOI.

  • 5Systematic reviews and meta-analyses
  • 3Randomised controlled trials
  • 4Other clinical studies and reviews

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

LanguageName
EnglishIsabgol

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 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. 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, 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 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 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 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?

The marker compounds are listed under Dosage forms and preparation, below.

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

Optimal Timing: At bedtime or 30 minutes before meals with a full glass of water (minimum 200ml).

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

Synergistic Combinations

  • With Triphala for comprehensive bowel health
  • With probiotics for enhanced prebiotic action
  • With Senna (traditionally paired for a stronger laxative action)
  • With Methi (fenugreek)

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-analyses5

  1. Limketkai BN, Godoy-Brewer G, Shah ND and others. 2025. Prebiotics for Induction and Maintenance of Remission in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Systematic Review and Meta-AnalysisInflammatory bowel diseases. PMID 38781004 · doi:10.1093/ibd/izae115
  2. Jovanovski E, Yashpal S, Komishon A and others. 2018. Effect of psyllium (Plantago ovata) fiber on LDL cholesterol and alternative lipid targets, non-HDL cholesterol and apolipoprotein B: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trialsThe American journal of clinical nutrition. PMID 30239559 · doi:10.1093/ajcn/nqy115
  3. Alsalimy N, Madi L, Awaisu A. 2018. Efficacy and safety of laxatives for chronic constipation in long-term care settings: A systematic reviewJournal of clinical pharmacy and therapeutics. PMID 29885259 · doi:10.1111/jcpt.12721
  4. Langhorst J, Wulfert H, Lauche R and others. 2015. Systematic review of complementary and alternative medicine treatments in inflammatory bowel diseasesJournal of Crohn's & colitis. PMID 25518050 · doi:10.1093/ecco-jcc/jju007
  5. Rashidi AA, Mirhashemi SM, Taghizadeh M and others. 2013. Iranian medicinal plants for diabetes mellitus: a systematic reviewPakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS. PMID 24498803 · doi:10.3923/pjbs.2013.401.411

Randomised controlled trials3

  1. Solà R, Godàs G, Ribalta J and others. 2007. Effects of soluble fiber (Plantago ovata husk) on plasma lipids, lipoproteins, and apolipoproteins in men with ischemic heart diseaseThe American journal of clinical nutrition. PMID 17413119 · doi:10.1093/ajcn/85.4.1157
  2. Kecmanovic DM, Pavlov MJ, Ceranic MS and others. 2006. Bulk agent Plantago ovata after Milligan-Morgan hemorrhoidectomy with LigasurePhytotherapy research : PTR. PMID 16708408 · doi:10.1002/ptr.1926
  3. Marteau P, Flourié B, Cherbut C and others. 1994. Digestibility and bulking effect of ispaghula husks in healthy humansGut. PMID 7829013 · doi:10.1136/gut.35.12.1747

Reviewed by Dr. Awadesh Pratap Singh, BAMS, on 11 October 2026. What that review covered.

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