Age Ayurveda Nighantu

Katuki

Picrorhiza kurroa

Katuki (Picrorhiza kurroa) is a plant used in Ayurveda. Picroside I is absorbed primarily in the upper GI tract. Apocynin (metabolite) has rapid absorption. Self-emulsifying formulations improve kutkin bioavailability by 3-fold. Piperine co-administration increases picroside I AUC by 60%.

Key facts
Botanical namePicrorhiza kurroa
Identity sourceAyurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India, Part I, Vol. II: KATUKA (Rhizome)
Also calledNeopicrorhiza scrophulariiflora (traded as a substitute)
FamilyPlantaginaceae · other entries in this family
OrderLamiales
Taxon identifiersGBIF 3727300 · Wikidata Q2562125 · NCBI Taxonomy 195120

Names and identification

LanguageName
EnglishKatuki

Ayurvedic pharmacology (Dravyaguna)

PropertyValueDescription
Rasa (Taste)TiktaPrimary taste
Guna (Quality)LaghuPhysical quality
Virya (Potency)SheetaHeating/Cooling effect
Vipaka (Post-digestive)KatuPost-digestive effect

Dosage forms and preparation

Dosage Forms: Churna (powder), Capsule, Tablet, Kashayam (decoction), Arishta/Asava (fermented preparation), Ghrita (medicated ghee)

Standard Dosage: 1-3 g powder twice daily; 500 mg standardized extract capsule twice daily; 30-50 mL decoction; Arogyavardhini Vati: 2 tablets twice daily

Bioavailability: Kutkin (mixture of picroside I and kutkoside) has moderate oral bioavailability (~25-30%). Picroside I is absorbed primarily in the upper GI tract. Apocynin (metabolite) has rapid absorption. Self-emulsifying formulations improve kutkin bioavailability by 3-fold. Piperine co-administration increases picroside I AUC by 60%. Ghrita (ghee) formulation provides lipid-enhanced absorption per traditional recommendation.

Optimal Timing: Before meals on empty stomach for hepatoprotective and cholagogue effects; with meals if GI irritation occurs; Arogyavardhini Vati: before meals with warm water

Standardized Extract: Standardized to minimum 4% kutkin (picroside I + kutkoside) by HPLC per Indian Pharmacopoeia; premium extracts standardized to 10-15% kutkin

Shelf Life: 24 months for powder; 36 months for standardized extract capsules; 24 months for tablets

Storage: Store in airtight, moisture-proof containers at 15-25°C. Picroside glycosides are relatively stable but hygroscopic. Protect from light. Refrigerated storage (2-8°C) extends potency for high-value standardized extracts.

Marker Compounds: Picroside I, Picroside II (Kutkoside), Apocynin (Acetovanillone), Androsin, Picein, Vanillic acid, Cucurbitacin glycosides

Extraction Methods

  • Hydroalcoholic extraction (60-70% ethanol) — standard for commercial extracts
  • Water decoction (traditional)
  • Supercritical CO2 for iridoid glycoside enrichment
  • Column chromatography for picroside I and II isolation
  • Enzyme-assisted extraction for improved kutkin yield

Synergistic Combinations

  • Guggulu in Arogyavardhini Vati for comprehensive metabolic and hepatic support
  • Bhumyamalaki for hepatoprotective synergy
  • Guduchi for hepatitis management
  • Nimba for cholestatic liver disease
  • Chirayata (Swertia) for bitter tonic and febrifuge combination

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.

Randomised controlled trials1

  1. Vaidya AB, Antarkar DS, Doshi JC and others. 1996. Picrorhiza kurroa (Kutaki) Royle ex Benth as a hepatoprotective agent--experimental & clinical studiesJournal of postgraduate medicine. PMID 9715310

Other clinical studies and reviews11

  1. Soni D, Sivakumar S, Verma S. 2026. Evaluating the therapeutic potential of picrosides in breast cancer cell lines: a systematic scoping reviewNaunyn-Schmiedeberg's archives of pharmacology. PMID 41143952 · doi:10.1007/s00210-025-04715-6
  2. Kumari A, Chandila N, Bhutani R and others. 2026. Hepatoprotective Potential of Indian Medicinal PlantsCombinatorial chemistry & high throughput screening. PMID 39835553 · doi:10.2174/0113862073346295250107070310
  3. Bhatia A, Thakur S, Kohal R and others. 2025. A comprehensive update on phytochemistry and medicinal developments of apocyninFitoterapia. PMID 40280248 · doi:10.1016/j.fitote.2025.106558
  4. Choudhary A, Noman M, Bano U and others. 2023. Global uses of traditional herbs for hepatic diseases and other pharmacological actions: A comprehensive reviewPolimery w medycynie. PMID 37260126 · doi:10.17219/pim/165977
  5. Savla SR, Laddha AP, Kulkarni YA. 2021. Pharmacology of apocynin: a natural acetophenoneDrug metabolism reviews. PMID 33689526 · doi:10.1080/03602532.2021.1895203
  6. Ma S, Wang X, Lai F and others. 2020. The beneficial pharmacological effects and potential mechanisms of picroside II: Evidence of its benefits from in vitro and in vivoBiomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie. PMID 32674016 · doi:10.1016/j.biopha.2020.110421
  7. Soni D, Grover A. 2019. "Picrosides" from Picrorhiza kurroa as potential anti-carcinogenic agentsBiomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie. PMID 30551422 · doi:10.1016/j.biopha.2018.11.048
  8. Simonyi A, Serfozo P, Lehmidi TM and others. 2012. The neuroprotective effects of apocyninFrontiers in bioscience (Elite edition). PMID 22202030 · doi:10.2741/535
  9. Verma PC, Basu V, Gupta V and others. 2009. Pharmacology and chemistry of a potent hepatoprotective compound Picroliv isolated from the roots and rhizomes of Picrorhiza kurroa royle ex benth. (kutki)Current pharmaceutical biotechnology. PMID 19619118 · doi:10.2174/138920109789069314
  10. Sun AY, Wang Q, Simonyi A and others. 2008. Botanical phenolics and brain healthNeuromolecular medicine. PMID 19191039 · doi:10.1007/s12017-008-8052-z
  11. Thyagarajan SP, Jayaram S, Gopalakrishnan V and others. 2002. Herbal medicines for liver diseases in IndiaJournal of gastroenterology and hepatology. PMID 12472966 · doi:10.1046/j.1440-1746.17.s3.30.x

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