Kiratatikta
Swertia chirayita
Kiratatikta (Swertia chirayita) is a plant used in Ayurveda. Xanthones (swertianin, mangiferin) have lower bioavailability (15-20%) due to low aqueous solubility. Piperine co-administration enhances xanthone absorption by 40%. Nano-emulsion formulations of amarogentin show 3-fold improved bioavailability.
| Botanical name | Swertia chirayita |
|---|---|
| Family | Gentianaceae |
| Order | Gentianales |
| Taxon identifiers | GBIF 7419749 · Wikidata Q21318003 · NCBI Taxonomy 137887 |
Names and identification
| Language | Name |
|---|---|
| English | Kiratatikta |
Ayurvedic pharmacology (Dravyaguna)
| Property | Value | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Rasa (Taste) | Tikta | Primary taste |
| Guna (Quality) | Laghu, Ruksha | Physical quality |
| Virya (Potency) | Sheeta | Heating/Cooling effect |
| Vipaka (Post-digestive) | Katu | Post-digestive effect |
Dosage forms and preparation
Dosage Forms: Churna (powder), Kashayam (decoction), Capsule, Tablet, Ghana Vati (solid extract tablet), Tincture
Standard Dosage: 1-3 g powder twice daily; 30-50 mL decoction; 500 mg capsule twice daily; Ghana Vati: 250-500 mg twice daily
Bioavailability: Amarogentin (secoiridoid glycoside) and swertiamarin show good oral bioavailability (35-45%). Xanthones (swertianin, mangiferin) have lower bioavailability (15-20%) due to low aqueous solubility. Piperine co-administration enhances xanthone absorption by 40%. Nano-emulsion formulations of amarogentin show 3-fold improved bioavailability. Bitter principles stimulate gastric secretion enhancing absorption of co-administered nutrients.
Optimal Timing: Before meals (30 minutes) for appetite stimulation and digestive enzyme activation; for fever: every 6-8 hours; for liver conditions: twice daily with warm water
Standardized Extract: Standardized to minimum 1% amarogentin and 4% swertiamarin by HPLC (per API standards); xanthone content >0.5% (as mangiferin equivalents)
Shelf Life: 24 months for powder; 36 months for standardized extract capsules; 24 months for Ghana Vati; 36 months for tincture
Storage: Store in airtight, moisture-proof containers at 15-25°C. Secoiridoid glycosides are relatively stable. Protect from light. Tinctures in amber glass bottles.
Marker Compounds: Amarogentin, Swertiamarin, Swertianin, Mangiferin, Swerchirin, Gentiopicrin, Oleanolic acid, Ursolic acid
Extraction Methods
- Hydroalcoholic extraction (60-70% ethanol) — industry standard
- Water decoction (traditional)
- Methanol extraction for xanthone-enriched fractions
- Supercritical CO2 for selective secoiridoid extraction
- Column chromatography for amarogentin and swertiamarin isolation
Synergistic Combinations
- Kutki (Picrorhiza) for comprehensive hepatoprotective formulation
- Guduchi for fever and hepatitis management
- Nimba for anti-malarial and febrifuge synergy
- Haritaki for digestive and antipyretic combination
- Bhumyamalaki for hepatitis B and C support
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.
Other clinical studies and reviews8
- 2023. Swertia chirayita: A comprehensive review on traditional uses, phytochemistry, quality assessment and pharmacologyJournal of ethnopharmacology. PMID 36113678 · doi:10.1016/j.jep.2022.115714
- 2020. Utilization of Swertia chirayita Plant Extracts for Management of Diabetes and Associated Disorders: Present Status, Future Prospects and LimitationsNatural products and bioprospecting. PMID 33118125 · doi:10.1007/s13659-020-00277-7
- 2019. Amarogentin as Topical Anticancer and Anti-Infective Potential: Scope of Lipid Based Vesicular in its Effective DeliveryRecent patents on anti-infective drug discovery. PMID 30210007 · doi:10.2174/1574891X13666180913154355
- 2018. Production from both wild harvest and cultivation: The cross-border Swertia chirayita (Gentianaceae) tradeJournal of ethnopharmacology. PMID 29960022 · doi:10.1016/j.jep.2018.06.033
- 2017. Swertia chirata: A Comprehensive Review with Recent AdvancesCurrent pharmaceutical biotechnology. PMID 29076426 · doi:10.2174/1389201018666171026153515
- 2015. A Review of Swertia chirayita (Gentianaceae) as a Traditional Medicinal PlantFrontiers in pharmacology. PMID 26793105 · doi:10.3389/fphar.2015.00308
- 2010. Highlighting the anti-carcinogenic potential of an ayurvedic medicinal plant, Swertia ChirataAsian Pacific journal of cancer prevention : APJCP. PMID 21338178
- 2000. Review on some plants of Indian traditional medicine with antioxidant activityJournal of ethnopharmacology. PMID 10904144 · doi:10.1016/s0378-8741(00)00213-0
Laboratory and animal studies4
- 2026. Swertia chirayita ameliorates MAFLD by improving intestinal microenvironment and hepatic lipogenesisJournal of ethnopharmacology. PMID 41802510 · doi:10.1016/j.jep.2026.121471
- 2025. Multimodal Assessment of Gentiopicroside's Protective Effect in CDCA-induced HepG2 Cell InjuryJournal of visualized experiments : JoVE. PMID 40788838 · doi:10.3791/68320
- 2024. Swertiamarin ameliorates type 2 diabetes by activating ADRB3/UCP1 thermogenic signals in adipose tissuePhytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology. PMID 39515102 · doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2024.156190
- 2024. Compositional analysis of Swertia chirayita medicinal plant using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy and ICP-MSPloS one. PMID 39302984 · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0309647
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